If you are the parent of a newborn baby, you might wonder, “why does my baby sleep with bum up?”.
Babies have susceptible airways, and positioning their hips away from the stomach can help to keep them open.
It’s also an idea to put a pillow under their bottom to help them stay upright.
If the bottom is held up, the airways are believed to be more open and less likely to get obstructed.
Newborns have weak muscles, making breathing easier if their tummies are less complete. The food can flow down their esophagus into their tummy by holding their bum up.
It also means that if the food goes into the windpipe, it is easily coughed back out rather than getting stuck.
Why does my baby sleep with bum up?
A newborn baby sleeps with its bottom up so that less air can get into its lungs when it breathes.
This helps keep the airways open, especially in babies born at a low birth weight (LBW).
Babies can ensure that their airways remain open during breathing to sleep with their bum up.
This helps to keep the windpipe open, which makes it easier for the baby to breathe, especially if they are close to full-term.
The Best 2 common reasons babies sleep with their bum up
There are two common reasons babies sleep with their bums up that I’m going to outline here.
1. They might be trying to keep their airways open:
This is very important in the first few weeks of life as they still form the connection between the stomach and lungs (the diaphragm).
When they are first born, they can’t breathe through their nose and need help opening the airways.
If the airways are open, the belly will be inflated (i.e. the baby will look round and bloated).
The baby is trying to keep their airways open with this position, so it can be difficult for them to do so.
If a newborn’s bottom is held up in this way, they may try to suck their tummy into their throat to help keep the airways open and breathe.
Sometimes there will also be movement of the ribcage away from the stomach as they try to breathe.
The stomach muscles are not yet strong enough to keep the airways open, so they will often look as if they are trying to suck their tummy into their throat.
Babies sleeping with bum up usually do it to keep their airways open.
2. They might be too warm:
In the early days, newborns sleep best when they’re cool. When we’re warm, we move our heads because it feels good when the blood rushes to our veins near the skin.
But we don’t feel the same sensation in our tummy, so there is no reason to move our heads when we are warm.
When babies are sleeping with bum up, they have a better chance of keeping cool and staying calm.
This means that they will sleep better and keep everything in their tummy moving, making breathing much easier.
When the baby’s tummy is kept warm, their airways will not be as open, and they may try to suck their tummy into their throat.
However, this will be seen as them swallowing too much air, and the baby may spit up.
They may also start to cry because of a great deal of swallowing and the inability of their tummy to expand.
How to change this?
The most common cause of babies sleeping with bum up is because they are trying to keep their airways open or they are sleeping too warm.
They are left to sleep with their bum up as it is easier for them to breathe, but they can soon learn that this isn’t a good idea.
The first step is to ensure that the baby is warm enough.
If you put your hand on the back of their neck, you should not feel any warmth.
This means that the baby’s skin temperature is not too cold, and they won’t be sweating.
If you feel the backs of the neck warm, you can use babywearing or swaddling to keep them warm.
If the baby is too warm, you can use an excellent baby cover (or at least cooler than the mum’s body temperature) to help them stay calm.
Most babies will not enjoy sleeping with bum up, but they are going to keep it that way because they want to be able to open their airways.
If the airways are open and the baby keeps its tummy warm, it will need other methods.
Try changing the position of their back.
If they like sleeping with bum up, try putting a pillow under their tummy (which will help cool them down).
If this doesn’t work, you need to get them to start sucking on a dummy or feeding with an artificial nipple. You can also consult a doctor if necessary.
Why do babies sleep with their bum in the air?
It is believed that babies might sleep with their bums up because they are trying to keep their airways open.
If you put your hand on the back of their neck, you should not feel any warmth.
This means that their skin temperature is not too cold, and they won’t be sweating.
If you feel the backs of the neck to be warm, you can use babywearing or swaddling to help keep them warm.
If the baby’s bum rises in the air, it is usually because they are overheating.
This can happen if they sleep in bed with a parent or are wrapped too tightly.
It might be easier for them to breathe if their tummy was dropped down or if they were held while sleeping.
Also Read: Why does the Baby Sleeps with Butt In Air?
Is it normal for toddlers to sleep with their bum in the air?
Yes, it’s normal for your toddler to sleep with their bum in the air.
In the early days of life, toddlers might sleep with their bum in the air.
This is because they are trying to keep their airways open and breathe like newborn babies.
They also tend to sleep with them as it is easier for them to breathe.
Sometimes a toddler’s tummy will be so heavy that they will start falling asleep with their bum in the air.
Is it normal for babies to sleep in weird positions?
There is no set rule regarding what is considered normal or abnormal.
On average, babies sleep with their bums up (or down). However, they can sleep in any position they want.
Even in the womb, they are trying to keep their airways open and will often sleep with their tummy on top of the belly.
It’s common for babies to sleep with their bums up because it is easier for them to breathe and keep cool.
Should I do anything about this?
The best thing to do is to give your baby the mindset that this position is normal and natural.
This will encourage them to keep doing it and help them with breathing and keeping their tummy cool.
If your baby has a bum up and is breathing heavily, you can put a blanket over its belly.
This will help keep their belly warm, encouraging them to stay in the normal sleep position.
How do I know if baby is cold at night?
Just because they are sleeping with their bum up doesn’t always mean they are cold.
However, if you notice that your baby is breathing heavily and keeping its tummy warm, it might be a good idea to put a blanket over them.
A blanket will also keep your baby warm throughout the night.
Conclusion
It is normal for your baby to sleep with its bum in the air for a few nights. After that, it is up to you whether or not you will continue with this position.
However, you can change how your baby sleeps by using a baby sleeper.
This will mean they will have a lot of freedom and be able to keep their tummy cool at all times.
As newborns, babies tend to sleep with their bum up. This is because it is easier for them to breathe, open their airways and feed well when they have their bum up.
You mustn’t try and change this position. If it’s not too cold and the baby is being fed well, then there is no reason for them to sleep with their bum down.
Your baby’s tummy should be kept warm so that they don’t pull in its tummy and choke.
Putting a blanket over your baby will keep them comfortable and plump. However, it is only likely to keep them warm for a couple of hours.
Try not to hold your baby too tightly and keep their bum up if they are being fed on the breast or bottle.
I hope you found this helpful guide and have all the information you need to keep your baby comfortable while sleeping.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to comment below.
