Babies can amaze you in many ways. From around 6 months to less than one year, many infants assume the frog-like sleeping posture.
Many parents, therefore, ask themselves, why do babies sleep with their butts in the air?
Why Do Babies Sleep with Their Butt in the Air?
Many parents are amazed by the baby’s froggy sleeping position. Most toddlers assume the funny sleeping posture from around age six months. There are several explanations for babies sticking their bums in the air.
It’s the same posture the baby assumed while in the womb ( last trimester). So, it just feels natural for them. The butt in the air position is also cuddling, giving warmth and a sense of security to the baby.
Read on for the full explanation of the question; why do babies sleep with their butt in the air?
According to leading pediatricians, babies sleep with their butt raised in the air for the following reasons:
The Position Reminisces the Fetal Posture
Before birth, babies spend their entire life tucked in the womb. And while in the womb most infants assume the butt in the air posture.
Soon after delivery, the infant’s motor skill develops and the child learns to move. And during that period, the baby may assume the fetal posture.
Even adults have their favorite resting, walking, or sleeping positions. And it varies with individuals. But with time, the infant outgrows sleeping with the butt in the air habit.
Some adults like to coil up and sleep on their sides. Surprisingly it’s the same froggy posture babies adore except that adults sleep on the side.
Helps in Relieving Stress
An infant sleeping with chest on lap and knee tucked behind isn’t a strange occurrence. Infants experience stress. For instance, constant crying may suggest stress in a baby.
Accordingly, a child requires a posture that relieves tension acquired during the day. Sleeping with their bum in the air is one such default relaxing pose.
It relaxes tired muscles and the mind. As a result, the infant finds it effortless to fall asleep. Even yoga lessons tap into that posture to achieve body and mind relaxation.
Besides relieving muscle tension, sleeping while the butt is in the air minimizes gas-related pain in the tummy.
Getting Ready to Crawl Posture
Infant development happens step by step. For instance, before crawling, babies must first learn to get on their knees.
With the legs tucked underneath, the child rocks slowly from side to side till he learns to move. While perfecting the skill, such a child may get tired and fall asleep with their bum in the air.
Therefore when you find your little one sleeping with their butt in the air, don’t be alarmed. Probably he had been practicing and getting ready to crawl and got tired after the exercise.
And due to exhaustion, he may flop forward and sleep.
Closely Resembles the Comfort of Cuddling
Most infants, if not all, enjoy cuddling in their mothers’ arms. Cuddling is soothing and comforting to young minds. As infants learn to stretch their limbs and move about, they soon learn that laying in a frog-like posture mimics cuddling.
So while resting in bed or lonely, a child’s brain resorts to the cuddling-like position. The infant hence achieves some degree of comfort and safety similar to when in the mother’s arms.
That also helps explain why a baby might sleep with his butt up in the air.
Makes Movement Easier
A few months after birth, babies learn to move about and crawl. That gives them much joy. When that happens, the urge to advance in speed is even greater.
Sadly rising from the usual sleeping position requires much energy from the baby. On the contrary, once they have gotten up on their knees, advancing in movement is less demanding. That also explains the tendency to sleep on their knees.
Feels Warmer
The temperature at times fluctuates and the surrounding feels cold. In response, a baby can instinctively sleep butt up and face down. While maintaining that posture, most tuck their hands below the belly. The position gives much warmth, especially to the belly.
Is it Dangerous for Babies to Sleep with their Butt in the Air and Face Down?
For babies who have learned to turn or roll, it’s safe for the children to sleep with their bum in the air. Whenever he feels uncomfortable, he can change his posture automatically.
However, when she falls asleep in your arms, don’t place her to sleep on her tummy. Instead, allow her to sleep on her back as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.
Myths Surrounding Babies Sleeping with their Butt up in the Air and Face Down
Some people spread false explanations as to why babies sleep with their butts up in the air. So common are those myths that it’s easy to believe them if you don’t dig out for the truth.
According to the fairy tales, children sleep with their face down and butt up because:
- They are scared
- Longing for another sibling
- The infant has overfed.
Thus, Why Do Babies Sleep with Their Butt in the Air?
Having spent a couple of months in the womb curled up, it’s just natural that the baby can assume that posture again (muscle memory).
When the infant feels lonely, insecure, or cold, the frog-like posture becomes ideal. Besides, sleeping with the butt in the air calms the muscles and mind. And while learning to crawl, the little one might get tired, flop forward and sleep in that position.
Whatever the reason, you don’t have to worry about your baby sleeping with their butt in the air! It’s nothing to be alarmed about.
