Ask Dr. Hirsch: Weekly Q&A with Dr. Shari Hirsch, Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist at Lev Pediatric Care

This Week’s Question:
“Why is back-sleeping so important, and what does safe sleep really look like?”

Dr. Hirsch’s Answer:
If you’ve ever put your newborn down and hovered over the crib to make sure they’re still breathing, you’re officially a parent. Infant sleep can feel mysterious and stressful, but the good news is that there are simple steps that keep babies safe. The biggest one is also the easiest: always place infants on their backs to sleep.

Why Back-Sleeping Matters
Since the 1990s, putting babies on their backs has cut the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by more than half. Back-sleeping keeps the airway open. Babies who sleep on their stomach or side can end up with their face against soft bedding and can’t reposition themselves well. Back is best for every nap and every night.

“But My Baby Sleeps Better on Their Stomach…”
Many parents feel this, especially during fussy phases. But deeper sleep isn’t safer sleep. Until a baby can roll both ways independently, the safest position is always the back. Once they roll on their own, you don’t need to flip them back.

What Safe Sleep Should Look Like
Safe sleep setups are simple:

• Firm, flat surface like a crib, bassinet, or play yard
• Fitted sheet only
• No pillows, blankets, bumpers, or stuffed animals
• No hats or loose clothing
• Baby in their own sleep space, ideally in your room for the first 6 months

It might look plain, but babies don’t mind. They need safety, not accessories.

When Babies Start Rolling
Around 4–6 months, many babies roll during sleep. If you place your baby on their back and they roll to their belly on their own, that’s fine. Your job is to start them safely. Their job is to wiggle.

How to Keep Babies Warm Without Blankets
Use a wearable blanket or sleep sack. They keep babies warm without loose fabric. Skip anything weighted — those aren’t recommended for infants.

Common “What If” Questions

• Car seat or bouncer naps? Short supervised naps happen, but routine sleep should be on a firm, flat surface.
• Co-sleeping? Room-sharing is safest. Bed-sharing increases the risk of suffocation.
• Positioners or wedges? Not recommended. They don’t help with reflux and can be dangerous.

Bottom Line
If your baby is on their back, in their own safe sleep space, with an empty crib, you’ve already done the most important things to protect them. Sleep feels overwhelming at first, but these habits become second nature, and they truly keep babies safe night after night.

​Dr. Shari Hirsch, MD, specializes in infant feeding, including expert newborn support, lactation guidance, and frenotomy (tongue-tie release). She also offers emotional wellness care, with guidance and medication management for attention, mood, and anxiety support.

Lev Pediatric Care is located at Evergreen Uptown Mall in Pomona. Their hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to 7:45 pm, and Friday, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Same-day appointments are available. To schedule, call 845-579-5700. They also provide free car service to and from doctor visits.

Have a question for next week’s column? Send it to Lev Pediatric Care, and Dr. Hirsch may feature it in an upcoming Q&A