Sleeping on your stomach and balloons: coronavirus patients urged to be careful

Is it harmful to sleep on your stomach? It is unlikely that those who are used to resting in this position think about it. They often say: “I sleep like this and feel great. This means that it is definitely not harmful to health.” It is not entirely correct to reason in this way.

Doctors of different profiles cannot unequivocally say that sleeping on the stomach is harmful. Indeed, despite the adverse effects of this pose on the body, it also has positive aspects. Let's consider what can lead to abuse of this body position during sleep, and when it is beneficial. It is also very interesting what it means from the point of view of religion and psychology.

Peculiarities

The quality of sleep largely depends on what position a person is in when resting. Body position determines how tense the muscles are, whether the body will receive the necessary volume of blood, whether breathing will be deep, and whether or not you will be able to get enough sleep in general.

Doctors call sleeping on the stomach the most dangerous. Although it is impossible to snore in this position, oxygen is supplied to the lungs - holding your breath is impossible. The risk is that in this position the spine does not receive the proper level of support.

An anatomically inconvenient rotation of the neck causes pain in the neck or back – a chronic process starts. It accelerates the formation of wrinkles and puffiness.

The internal reproductive systems are compressed, which negatively affects their functions. This is not recommended for women because of the effect on the mammary glands.

When answering the question whether sleeping on your stomach is harmful or not, doctors are inclined to the first option.

When can you place your newborn on his tummy?

You can start placing your newborn on his tummy while still in the maternity hospital or as soon as you are home after discharge. The sooner you start, the better. This way the baby will quickly get used to this pastime. You don’t have to worry about the baby’s umbilical cord: placing the newborn on his tummy will not harm the healing of the navel. You can start by placing your baby on your chest or stomach while you are in a reclining position. Chat with him, make faces, make funny sounds - these will be happy moments of closeness with your baby!

Influence

Is it harmful to sleep on your stomach only sometimes - no, if there are no contraindications. A healthy person does not experience discomfort if he decides to rest in this position. However, constantly choosing it will lead to problems.

First of all, the spine is negatively affected. He feels uncomfortable being without support all day and all night. In a normal position, he will recover in 7-8 hours of sleep, but when choosing this position this will not happen.

It is often noted that after sleep the neck begins to hurt. This is due to the fact that involuntary movements occur at night, and the sleeper turns his head. The cushion prevents rotation at a normal angle.

If you do not unlearn the habit, unpleasant sensations will affect all organs and systems. Constant disruption of blood circulation will cause deterioration in mood and apathy, and a feeling of fatigue.

The pose is harmful, but it does not manifest itself immediately, but gradually, so it is better not to take risks and wean yourself from the addiction.

For women

Women rarely choose a position on their stomach, as their breasts interfere with them. But even if there is no discomfort, the effect will be negative - the mammary glands are constantly compressed, which interferes with the flow of blood to them. As a result, tumors appear.

For pregnant women, rest is contraindicated. The spine, which experiences tension due to rapid weight gain, does not rest at all. Squeezing threatens that oxygen will not reach the fetus.

The appearance also deteriorates. As a result of the choice of position, wrinkles from the pillow, swelling, and bruises under the eyes appear.

Dreams

Scientists have found that sleeping backwards causes erotic dreams. The fact is that when choosing this position of the body, breathing becomes difficult - just like during sexual activity. As a result, a signal is sent to the brain and the person begins to see erotic dreams.

Internal organs and spine

If you sleep on your stomach for a long time, the spine is in a curved state. This leads to a deterioration in health, especially in the presence of diseases. The supporting muscles do not rest and weaken.

Dangers are exposed to:

• stomach;
• pancreas;
• gallbladder ducts;
• liver;
• kidneys and spleen.

They are also in the wrong position, compressed and experiencing a lack of blood circulation.

Attention - on the neck

What positions are unfavorable for sleeping?

On the stomach . In this case, the person has to turn his head to the side. In this position, not only the airways are bent and twisted, but also the arteries and veins of the neck, which provide blood circulation to the brain. Therefore, this position is undesirable unless all others are contraindicated and do not cause pain. Let’s say that with arthrosis of the hip joint, a person cannot sleep on his side. Or if the ribs are broken - on the back. Under normal conditions, lying on your stomach should be avoided.

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This is a more favorable position. But not the best. When a person is with straightened arms and legs, this is not entirely physiological. When sleeping on your back, a relaxed tongue can move to the back of the throat and seriously impede breathing. On too soft, thin or very high pillow or without it. In the first case, the head is thrown back or to the side; accordingly, the venous vessels can be pinched on one side and stretched on the other. Therefore, after such sleep, headaches may occur the next morning because venous outflow slows down. If the pillow is high, then the head will rise above the level of the back, which also has an adverse effect on the blood vessels and impairs the outflow of blood from the brain. The density and height of the pillow should be such as to allow the cervical, lumbar, thoracic spine and head to be in the same plane.

On an orthopedic pillow . Those that have a bulge under the neck are not recommended. Such a pillow supports the cervical spine not due to a balanced load, but due to pressure on it. That is, the orthopedic bulge puts pressure primarily on the veins, and not on the vertebrae. For example, a person lies on his right side; blood flows from his head mainly through the veins of the right side. If you press them down with a pillow, the outflow of blood through them will slow down. And this can have a detrimental effect on physiological sleep standards. Some Chinese even sleep on a wooden block. And they place their head in such a way as to balance the head-neck complex. Then the neck remains free for venous outflow. If the block is placed closer to the crown, the neck will bend. Closer to the neck, the head will fall back.

On an orthopedic mattress that remembers the position of the body during sleep . There is an opinion that the mattress should be of optimal rigidity and follow all the curves of the spine. However, this advice is suitable for healthy people with normal posture. But there are almost no such people due to the fact that most of us are in a forced wrong position most of the day. If a person sits at a computer all day, moves incorrectly, or experiences unphysiological stress (for example, a hairdresser stands in a half-bent position all day), then he needs to straighten his spine at night. And not lie in such a way that the mattress repeats his forced and incorrect postures. Therefore, the mattress should be semi-rigid and orthopedic, not from the point of view of repeating the bends of incorrect spinal posture, but from the point of view of correction - to contribute to the optimal restoration of the normal position of the spine.

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Do you need to put pillows between your legs, under your feet, in your arms?

As a rule, if the patient has no health problems and no diseases of the musculoskeletal system, then additional sleep devices are not required. And even the pose is by and large not so critical. Our body is optimized for different positions without any aids. But if a person moves incorrectly, the reserve capacity is narrowed, leading to a problem that cannot be compensated for by sleep. Then the wrong posture aggravates the negativity accumulated due to insufficient and incorrect movements, forced postures during the day.

How to get rid

A set of measures has been developed to help you get rid of the nighttime habit. It is necessary to use a thin pillow or eliminate it altogether. The neck will be anatomically uncomfortable and the person will begin to roll over on his own.

You should choose firm mattresses. They do not sag, and the spine does not stretch or bend.

Daily stretching helps - there are complexes designed for people with sleep disorders. Yoga and massage have a positive effect.

How to turn tummy time into a game

While the baby is lying on his tummy, you can play with him perfectly. Here's how you can keep your child entertained:

1. Place his favorite toy in front of your baby so that he tries to reach it. Or sit on the floor in front of your baby so that he raises his head to look at you.
2. Place toys around your baby. This will give him an incentive to stretch in different directions, and the muscles necessary to roll over, squat and crawl will begin to develop.
3. It is convenient to place newborns up to 3 months on your lap or chest. When the baby is lying on your lap, lift your legs on your toes and lower them, move them from side to side. When the baby is on your chest, talk to him and encourage him.
4. If you have an older child, encourage him to play with the baby while he is on his tummy. This can help him get closer to his little brother or sister.

Which pose do you prefer?

On the back. The muscles relax, the heart and lungs function as usual. It is important not to put too many pillows under your head - there is a risk of curvature.

"Fetal" is a popular pose. Reminds the body of the position inside the mother’s body - legs tucked, organs protected, head tilted.

Sleeping on your side is comfortable if you choose a good pillow. Its height should not exceed 25 centimeters. The pillow chosen is dense, but not hard or soft. Pushing is unacceptable - this way the neck will not take an anatomically correct shape. You can place a small cushion between your knees and they will stop hurting.

Those who like to relax on their back are recommended to place one under their lower back and the other under their head. On the side - one under the neck, the second between the knees. You can get rid of foot pain by using a roller directly under your heels.

Sleeping with your back up spoils your posture, causes pain in the neck and lower back, reduces blood supply to internal organs, causes swelling and wrinkles. Knowing how to wean yourself from sleeping on your stomach, you can eradicate the habit that causes disruptions in the body.

How to lay a newborn on his tummy

Depending on the baby’s age, the approach to tummy time will be different. Details below.

Newborns

For babies aged 0-3 months who are just learning to hold their head up, follow these guidelines:

1. When your baby is awake, place him on his tummy on your chest or on your lap.
2. To make your baby more comfortable, look into his eyes, smile broadly, and talk to him in a cheerful voice.
3. At this age, 3-5 minutes on the tummy will be enough. You can gradually increase the duration of the “sessions” if you see that your baby likes them. Place your baby on his tummy two to three times a day, for example after changing a diaper or after a nap.

And although by the end of the first month of a child’s life the neck muscles become stronger, be sure to support his head when you pick him up. Babies begin to hold their head up confidently at around 4 months.

Older kids

Here's how to place babies aged -7 months on their tummy:

1. Place your baby on the floor on a blanket, soft towel or play mat.
2. Sit on the floor next to your baby and play with him, show him a bright toy.
3. Let the baby spend 3-5 minutes on his tummy. When he gets the taste and enjoys this pastime, do not rush to move him, let him lie down longer. Place your baby on his tummy two to three times a day, for example after feeding or changing a diaper.

Probably, the baby can already raise his head, look around and even push off the floor on his arms, arching his back. Thanks to the newfound strength, the baby will soon be able to sit up. You may also notice that your baby rocks on his tummy, kicks the air with his legs, or appears to be making swimming movements with his arms. This usually happens around 5 months and means your baby is getting ready to start rolling over and maybe even crawling.

What to do if your baby doesn’t like lying on his tummy

It is quite natural if the baby does not really like lying on his tummy at first. After all, this is a new position for him that he needs to get used to.

Here's what you can try:

1. Place a bright toy next to the baby: he will be interested in looking at it or reaching for it.
2. Sit on the floor next to your baby, sing to him or show him a toy.
3. If this doesn't work, call someone at home for help.
4. Try the option when the baby lies on his side with his knees bent. Some children prefer this position. You can put a rolled up towel under his back.

Gradually, the baby will get used to the new activity and love it. If your baby expresses his dissatisfaction too clearly and this worries you, discuss this with your pediatrician.

FAQ

• You can start placing your newborn on his tummy while still in the maternity hospital or as soon as you are home after discharge. The sooner you start, the better.
• When your baby is awake, place him on his tummy on your chest or on your lap.
• To make your baby more comfortable, look into his eyes, smile broadly, and talk to him in a cheerful voice.
• At this age, 3-5 minutes on the tummy will be enough. You can gradually increase the duration of the “sessions” if you see that your baby likes them. Place your baby on his tummy two to three times a day, for example after changing a diaper or after a nap.
• The main thing is to closely monitor the baby and do not leave him alone. You can sit or lie next to him on the floor, chat, smile, play with toys.

Tummy time can be fun for both baby and parents. This is also an opportunity to develop the muscles a baby needs to learn to sit, crawl and eventually walk. Placing your newborn on his tummy every day is very important for his development. And so that you, parents, are not distracted from your wonderful baby by little things, stock up on diapers at a special price.

How this article was written

The information presented in this article is based on expert advice published by trusted (medical and government) sources such as the American Pediatrics Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A complete list of links to sources used to write this article can be found at the end of the article. The information on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Folk signs and superstitions

According to popular beliefs, when sleeping on his stomach, a person insults God by turning his “fifth point” towards him. It is believed that this is the position in which sinners are suspended above the fires of hell. Why did the righteous man not accept it?

Another popular belief: a person who falls asleep on his stomach may have an evil spirit jump onto his back at night. What will come of this is clearly shown in the work “Viy” by N.V. Gogol.

The etymology of the word "back" is literally "sleep on it."

Our ancestors also considered falling asleep on your back to be beneficial - the spine is relaxed, the arms and legs are not compressed, and the chest is not compressed.

Recommendations from experts

What position a person chooses for a night's rest depends on his psychological state and character traits. Observing a sleeping person makes it possible to find the right approach to him, which is important in a number of cases. Especially when it comes to children. If a 4-year-old child sleeps on his side, in the fetal position, it means he lacks independence, to which parents should immediately respond.

Psychologists say: people who prefer to sleep on their sides have an analytical mind, are calm and reliable. It is easy for them to adapt to a changed situation, they easily endure life's troubles. If an adult who was sleeping on his back begins to wake up curled up in a ball with his head covered with a blanket, you should think that he has taken on unbearable burdens in life.

Aromatherapy has a positive effect on sleep

First you need to decide on your sleeping position. It is necessary to understand why you cannot sleep in one position or another, what position is most comfortable in this case. To avoid suffering from insomnia, you should follow the recommendations:

• Before going to bed, the room should be ventilated.
• A contrast shower will help your body relax.
• It is not recommended to have a heavy dinner in the evening. After eating, it is advisable to take a quiet walk.
• The soft mattress will provide better sleep.
• You need to choose a pillow that is not too hard and not too soft.
• The room should be cool.