Which sleeping position is best for a baby born preterm who is ready for discharge?
There have been studies showing that preterm babies who have active respiratory disease have improved oxygenation if they are prone. However, these babies have not been specifically examined as a group once they are recovered from respiratory problems and are ready for hospital discharge. There is no reason to believe that they should be treated any differently than a baby who was born at term. Unless there are specific indications to do otherwise (see exceptions above), the Task Force believes that such babies should be placed for sleep on their backs. In what position should babies be placed for sleep in hospital full-term nurseries? Nearly all of the studies have been performed on babies who were beyond the neonatal period, mostly babies who were 2 to 6 months of age. However, experience in other countries has shown that mothers generally position their babies at home similar to the way they were placed in the hospital. Therefore, the Task Force recommends that personnel in hospital
