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When you search for infant sleeping position on google, you will probably find many sites that give you the pros and cons of sleeping prone and sleeping on the back.

In 1992, the American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement recommending that all healthy infants be placed down for sleep on their backs (Pediatrics, 1992;89: 1120-1126). This recommendation was based on numerous reports that babies who sleep prone have a significantly increased likelihood of dying of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The recommendation was reaffirmed in 1994 (Pediatrics, 1994;93:820).

Although there was such a report, I decided to let my baby sleep prone after I stopped swaddling her as I found that she slept better when in prone position. After I stopped swaddling my baby girl, she was easily startled when she slept in non-prone position.

When I decided to let my baby sleep prone, I made sure that the mattress was firm and there were no blanket, pillows and any other objects in the playpen (where she slept).

As my baby was on the 90% percentile in terms of weight and height during her first 6 months, I was a little less nervous about letting her sleep prone.

After 8 months, I found that sleeping prone really helped my baby with her motor skills e.g. she could sit up when she was just 4 months old. And with her just turning 8 months old, she was able to crawl on the floor quite agily and also able to stand in her playpen. She can even walk around her playpen holding onto the sides.

No doubt, sleeping prone has its advantages.  However one must not forget to follow recommended steps to prevent SIDS.

Another minor con to note is that your baby may grow so used to sleeping prone that during the period when he has learnt to flip on her back, he may have difficulty falling asleep when he can’t flip back on his tummy. Personally this was what happened to me - my baby woke up a few times during the night as she was unable to flip back to her prone position…