Question
My son is eight months old and has been sleeping on his stomach every night since he was seven months old. During the day, he does not have this habit, and he eats and behaves normally. He has already grown eight teeth. Is this situation normal?
Answer
This is normal. However, parents should pay attention to frequently changing the child’s sleeping position. The child should adopt correct sleeping positions such as lying on the stomach, sleeping on the side, or sleeping on the back. The baby’s sleeping positions are similar to adults, including lying on the back, lying on the stomach, and sleeping on the side. From a medical perspective, sleeping on the side is most beneficial for the baby’s physical and mental health. Side sleeping best meets the physiological needs of the human body, allowing all muscles to be in a state of maximum relaxation, helping the baby fall asleep peacefully. It is even more reasonable to sleep on the right side. When sleeping on the right side, the baby’s heart is not compressed, and the liver located in the upper right abdomen receives more blood. This right-side sleeping position also helps move food from the baby’s stomach to the duodenum, promoting the full functioning of digestion.