We've all seen the trending videos, but could flipping a baby really help them sleep better at night, and is it safe?
The Theory: Flipping for Sleep
I don't know about you but lately, I'm seeing a ton of social media video clips floating around, with parents flipping their baby head over heels at bedtime, and then enjoying a miraculously long stretch of sleep.
The theory goes that the motion of flipping forward mimics the comforting sensations of being rocked and swayed in the womb, giving babies positive sensory input and helping them to "organize their sleep cycles".
Reality Check: Safety Comes First
Now, here's the lowdown: while the idea of flipping your baby might sound intriguing, it's crucial to put safety first. Flipping a young infant could be risky, especially for babies under 12 months old.
Our babies head and neck are very delicate in the early stages of development, and they have a space between their brain and their skull for the first (roughly) 13 months of life, so any sudden or forceful movements, including flipping babies head over heels, should be avoided to prevent potential harm. We definitely want to avoid anything that could potentially lead to shaken baby syndrome (SBS), which is as scary as it sounds.
Instead of flipping baby over, lay them in a blanket with one adult at either end, and rock/swing them back and forth! Babies find this gentle motion SO soothing, and it still provides that vestibular input while also mimicking the lovely feelings of the womb.
Could flipping a baby over help to organise their sleep cycles and nighttime sleep?
I can confidently say that for any parent who has experienced a miraculously long stretch of sleep after flipping their baby head over heels, it was a fluke! There is no evidence to support this motion helping to regulate baby's circadian rhytmn and sleep cycles, though we've all been there when trying to meticulously re-create whatever we did at bedtime that led to a long stretch of glorious sleep!
So, what can you do to promote safe and restful sleep for your baby without resorting to risky practices? Here are some tips:
Swing them in a blanket
Instead of flipping baby over, lay them in a blanket with one adult at either end, and rock/swing them back and forth! Babies find this gentle motion SO soothing, and it still provides that vestibular input while also mimicking the lovely feelings of the womb.
Flipping for Toddlers and Older Children
Now, what about toddlers and older kiddos? Once they're old enough to rough house and tumble safely, supervised flipping activities can be a fantastic way to support sensory output and help children relax ready for sleep; just remember to keep it safe and controlled to avoid any accidents.
Pillow fight!
There is a lot to be said for roughhousing before the bedtime routine begins! Pillow fights, gently "throwing" older kiddos onto the mattress and tackling them onto a pillow stack can provide tremendous sensory input and output, with all the benefits of placing your child in a restful, regulated state before they get ready for sleep.
Key tip:
Make sure you leave plenty of time to calm down afterwards! These activities can get children very excited, so make sure to leave enough time to decompress and wind down before climbing into bed, with a predictable, soothing bedtime routine of snuggles, stories and singing.
Best time for these activities? Before bathtime!
In the end, the key to a good night's sleep for your little one is safety and comfort, and a solid sleep foundation. While flipping might sound like a fun idea, it's best to stick with tried-and-true methods and leave the acrobatics for the playground.
If you're looking for more tips and tricks to help settle your little one into a predictable night of long stretches of sleep, I've got you covered! Make sure to subscribe to my blog for all the latest on little sleep and if nighttime's are a disaster, reach out to arrange your free initial sleep consultation for 1:1 sleep training support!
Together we'll get you one step closer to downtime, dates nights and a Jolly Good Night's Sleep!
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