The best sleep position for health
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When people say they slept like a baby that is interesting because one may think it means they had a wonderful peaceful and comfortable sleep, however, some mothers with a young baby may think….oh right so you woke 3 times and screamed for 20 minutes!!
Well one thing ‘sleep like a baby’ could mean: they slept on their side in the foetal position. This position of sleep, which maintains the natural curve of the spine, is the best. Sleeping on your stomach puts pressure on your lungs and chest and sleeping on your back can enhance snoring.
Infants however, should always be placed on their backs to prevent sudden infant death (SIDS). The biggest killer of infants under 12 months of age is a condition which we know very little about. It’s Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), sometimes known as ‘Cot Death’. In Australia, SIDS causes about 250 babies each year and it is most common between the ages of two to four months. Some prevention tactics include:
- put your baby on its back to sleep and make sure the head remains uncovered
- tuck in your baby’s bedclothes securely
- position your baby’s feet at the bottom of the cot
- Have the cot clear of toys and excess bedding
- Have the baby to share a room but definitely not a bed with someone else
We are creatures of habit so consciously try to sleep on your side tonight and see if you feel a bit better in the morning.
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