Watching your children grow up and develop their preferences is a unique experience for any parent. We stand by their side, giving advice, and also keeping a close look-out when they decide for themselves. Many times, though, we also have questions and need guidance, as we try to offer them the best word to the wise. I remember the time when I was worried about my child's sleeping posture, and I did extensive research on the topic. All experts warn parents that in the first year of life there’s an increased risk of SIDS (the sudden infant death syndrome) if the baby doesn’t sleep on the back. That is the only recommended position until the child can turn safely on a side (and return), on his own. But once that critical period has passed, it's perfectly natural for kids to find their style. Most scientific studies say that side sleeping (mainly, on the left side) is the wisest option for a healthy life. What are the arguments for such an assertion? Let me point out the most important ones underlined by specialists:
Filtering toxins
The left side of our body primarily controls the activity of our lymphatic system. Thus, during the night, your child's body will filter the toxins naturally, with the help of gravity, if sleeping on the left.
Back pain relief
Side sleeping is a fantastic natural way to relieve pressure, and it comes highly recommended for all those experiencing back or neck pain. If your child is an athlete, for instance, or even if he merely loves sports or playing a lot outdoors, sleeping on the left side would help him relax his muscles. That will lead to an energetic waking up in the morning. To help your kid enjoy such a relaxing sleep, consider buying a mattress designed for side sleeping. It would make an excellent investment for your child’s long-term well-being: as SleepingGuide points out, such items present a medium firmness meant to support the natural alignment of the spine and to sustain mainly the hips and the shoulders (as sleeping on a side has a substantial impact on them).
Better blood circulation
Left side sleeping improves the blood circulation to the child’s heart and also takes the pressure off that vital organ of the body. When sleeping on this side, the blood coming out of the heart flows “downhill," and that means that the heart doesn’t have to put on additional effort to function.
Diminished heartburn
One medical study I came across during my research showed that sleeping on our left side has a significant contribution to diminishing the acid reflux symptoms. As the stomach lies on the left side of the body, heartburns decrease substantially if your child sleeps on his left.
Improved digestion
Gravity is, once again, the main ally of the body when choosing the left side posture for resting. In this position, the child's stomach and pancreas lie carelessly, which helps the digestive processes and the production of pancreatic enzymes. And if your child is currently facing digestive issues, be sure to check out Refluxgate.de.
Prevent the snoring
When sleeping on a side (left or right, in this case), snoring diminishes or completely goes away. To prevent the development of such a habit, try counseling your child to sleep on his left. If the child has already established such a problem, resting on a side will help him get rid of it. As kids change positions during sleep (most adults do the same), you could help them maintain the side posture by using pillow tricks: get a firm pillow for supporting their neck correctly (it should align with the spine) and place a thin pillow between their knees.
