Chapter 11 – Comfortable and Always Safe

When the baby isn’t in their crib at night or during naps, the place they most prefer to be is surely in their mother’s arms. Or in their father’s. As beautiful and appreciated as this is—by both child and adult—it’s not always possible. There are many things to do throughout the day, even for the baby. For instance, the activity of the back and neck muscles is essential for the proper development of their spinal column. That’s why cuddles must be alternated with a bit of exercise. The best position to activate the back muscles is the prone position—lying on the stomach. In recent years, the recommendation to put babies to sleep on their back (supine) to prevent suffocation has been widely adopted by families, and now many tend to keep their babies in that position even when they are awake.

This habit has led to an increase in cases of plagiocephaly, a temporary deformation of the head that appears slightly flattened where it frequently rests on the mattress or cushion, and a delayed development of the back and neck muscles. It is absolutely correct for the baby to sleep on their back and travel comfortably in a pram in this position. However, during the day, it’s important to balance this by placing the baby in a prone position while awake—first on the adult’s chest and body, and then, as their psychomotor development allows, and always under supervision, on the changing table, on the bed, and eventually on a soft play mat. It’s important that parents, supported by the pediatrician, understand and anticipate the child’s developmental needs at each stage.

Some baby gear can play a strategic role, but it must be chosen carefully and used appropriately. This means taking into account the baby’s psychomotor development—namely, their relational, sensory, motor and cognitive needs—as well as the characteristics of the home environment and the needs of the parents, all with the child’s safety and wellbeing in mind. (8)