What is the recommended sleeping position for a newborn?

• A. Prone
• B. Supine
• C. Left side lying
• D. Right side lying

Answer: (B)

The recommended sleeping position for a newborn is supine, meaning that the baby should be placed on their back to sleep. This position has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is a critical concern for infant health. The supine position keeps the airway open and minimizes the chances of suffocation or rebreathing of carbon dioxide.

In addition, placing infants on their backs to sleep allows for better monitoring and is associated with a lower incidence of sleeping-related accidents. Infants are also less likely to roll over onto their stomachs or experience overheating if they are placed to sleep on their backs. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and other health organizations emphasize this practice as a vital guideline in reducing sleep-related risks for newborns.