Sleep position and infant motor development

Journal/Book: Phys Rehab Kur Med 9 (1999) M45-M46 / Rehab in Review Vol. 7 Nr. 1 1999.. 1999;

Abstract: Davis BE et al.: Effects of Sleep Position on Infant Motor Development. Pediatrics 1998; 102 (5): 1135 - 1140 In order to decrease the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) the percentage of infants sleeping prone has decreased dramatically from 70% in 1992 to 27% in 1995. However pediatricians are questioning whether this change in sleep position might delay the accomplishment of early motor milestones by discouraging upper body strength development. This study sought to evaluate the effect of sleeping position on gross motor development. A total of 351 full-term healthy infants were studied. Sleep position logs were recorded by parents beginning with the infants' first week of life and continuing monthly for the first six months. Prone sleepers were defined as infants placed in a prone sleep position more than 70% of their sleep time from ages one month to five months. Supine sleepers were defined as those placed in a supine sleep position more than 70% of sleep time. Eight motor milestones were then documented by a research assistant via telephone as well as through independent assessment at well baby checks by the pediatrician. Comparisons were made between prone and supine sleepers. The results revealed that prone sleepers acquired motor milestones of rolling prone to supine tripod sitting creeping crawling and pulling to stand earlier than did supine sleepers (p < 0 05). No signifikant differences were found in the age at which infants rolled supine to prone sat unsupported transferred objects or walked. All infants attained all milestones within the normally accepted age range with no differences in expected attainment of 18-month milestones. Conclusion: This prospective study assessing sleep position and early motor milestones suggests that infants placed prone for sleep attain gross motor milestones sooner than those placed supine or on their sides. The authors note that the milestones were all met within an expected normal time frame. They therefore discourage parents and pediatricians from abandoning the recommended side or supine sleep position for infants. ___MH

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