What are the meanings of baby’s sleeping positions?

Watching a baby sleep is a great source of emotion! And curiously, it can happen that your little one has a particular position that intrigues you … What can the position of your baby during his sleep mean? What are the positions recommended by the medical profession ? We take stock of the different sleeping positions, with Astrid Le Clerc, osteopath.

In which position to make baby sleep: at what age can my baby sleep on his stomach?

From the birth of the child, it is imperative lay baby on his back. Highly recommended, not to say compulsory, this position guarantees better safety for the child. It has in fact been observed, since the early 1990s, that the dorsal position protects babies from sudden infant death syndrome (or MIN, for unexplained infant death). The simple fact of sleeping on your back lowered the MIN from 1991 to 1997! On the back, the child can indeed breathe better. From the sixth month of the child, when the baby is able to turn around easily, he will be able to sleep on his stomach without risk!

Does sleeping only on your back promote plagiocephaly?

To avoid plagiocephaly (or “flat head”), stimulate baby’s motor skills as often as possible during the day:

• Install him often on his awakening mat on his stomach, on your watch,
• Vary the postures when you talk to him, change him …
• Stimulate him with sound and colorful toys, so that he moves his head from both sides,
• When you give him the bottle, alternate the arm in which you hold him; breastfeeding allows you to naturally vary your position in one arm, then the other.

Tips for putting baby to bed

Here are the recommendations for putting baby to bed:

• In a regularly ventilated room during the day,
• The room temperature should be 18-20 ° C,
• We put baby in his own bed (or special cradle for co-sleeping) without a blanket, duvet or pillow,
• On a firm mattress, devoid of bed bumper,
• Baby should be dressed in a sleeping bag or sleeping bag, or in a simple bodysuit in summer when it’s hot.
• Imperatively on the back until the baby knows how to turn around on his own (usually between 4 and 6 months)

Baby sleeps on his side: is this a recommended position for sleeping?

If the side position seems less dangerous than on the stomach, it is nevertheless not recommended. Indeed, the baby is in an unstable position, it can easily end up on the stomach, which can lead to suffocation. In addition, it is not recommended to use devices to keep your infant on the back, such as a bed reducer or a baby wedge for example. These can indeed promote deformations of the skull and asphyxia.

Positions when baby is sleeping that can reflect tension

Babies sometimes position themselves in a specific way, perhaps for causes related to childbirth, or even pregnancy. In any case, this is what osteopathic experts argue, as Astrid Le Clerc explains: “It can happen that infants are very flexed, with arms and legs bent when they are on. the back. This can translate a discomfort on which we work in osteopathy session, so that they relax. It also happens that the infant is “Comma”, that is to say in an arched position, arched back towards the extensions. These positions can be linked to the intrauterine position of the child during pregnancy. Torticollis can also cause changes, such as tilting or rotating the head to a particular side. “

Fetal, head against the arm… What the baby’s positions reflect about his personality

Apart from physiological causes, it is sometimes considered that such a position can enlighten us on the personality of your child. In any case, this was theorized by a study carried out by the Sleep Institute in the United Kingdom in the early 2000s! Of course, you don’t have to believe it, but it’s part of the mysteries and beliefs that bring poetry …

The trunk posture

Referring to the tree trunk, this position sees the child lying on his side, with his arms stretched out at his side. According to the British study, this position would make these sleepers calm and sociable beings!

The fetal posture

The fetal position, in reference to that of the fetus in the womb, consists of an inclined position with the legs brought towards the chest. It seems that children sleeping in this position behave more shy than the others, as well as a great sensitivity.

The starfish

The position of the starfish takes its name from the fact that the child has the legs apart and the arms upwards. This position means that your child will be turned towards others and will be a selfless person.

The soldier’s position

Take care of yourself ! The soldier’s position is straight like an I, both for the arms and for the legs. Children sleeping in this position would often be introverted, but with a strong great loyalty.

The position of the free fall

The name of this position comes from the fact that your child is upside down in his bed! He has his head bowed and his legs stretched out. According to the study, this atypical position would mean that your child has a character rebellious and independent.

The so-called “melancholy” posture

In this position, the child sleeps on his side. The legs are straight and close together. As for the arms, they are stretched forward. This position would mean that the child will be of a rather stubborn character! It will also be cautious and rather suspicious at first, but ultimately very sociable with those around him.