Nigerian Mums React After Popular Health Expert, Aproko Doctor Warned Against Placing Babies Face Down To Sleep
Nigerian parents on social media have reacted to a viral video of a Nigerian medical practitioner, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, warning against placing a child who is less than one year old face-down to sleep.
In the video he made, the doctor stated that although this practice has been with Nigerians for many years, it is wrong to place a child sleeping face down.
He said that such sleeping positions can cause a child to suffer from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
According to him, babies less than a year old have not developed head control, and so they can move their necks to any side to enable them to breathe well.
He said children placed face down to sleep tend to breathe the same air, and this could lead to Hypercapnia, which means a buildup of carbon dioxide in the baby’s body. Adventure activities
Nigerian mums, however, seem to disagree with him. They argue that their mothers taught them to place their babies face down to sleep, and it has been working for many years.
They also argue that babies tend to sleep better and for a longer time when they sleep on their bellies and not on their backs.
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Read the different reactions belowâŠ.
@Lizmum said:
I understand his point. I wanted to try this method for my kids, but mum said no, and I’m thankful for that everyday. my children slept face down. For me, it helps shape their face. My kids have beautiful oval face and I feel like sleeping facing down played a role in it.
@Anonymous:
I am 43 years old very healthy mother of 3 and sleeping face down is the only position I can sleep. Mum said as a child, no matter how she tried to change my position, I would still put my face and Tommy downđ€Łđ€Ł, pregnancy was very difficult for me because I couldnât sleep and I was sick and exhausted with all my 3 babies. Sir some babies are just like that, donât generalize it, the God that created them that way knows how to protect them. Hubby says the reason my Tommy is flat after 3 kids without BBL is because of my sleeping position đ€Łđ€Ł.
ALSO SEE: MUST READ! Nigerian Doctor, Bobby Egemba Highlights The Dangers In Shaking A Crying Baby
@MandyKay:
Aproko Doctor is absolutely right. Medical research supports his warning that placing babies under one year face-down to sleep increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This isnât just theory; global health bodies like the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend back-sleeping for infants for this very reason.
While itâs true that some Nigerian mums say it âworked for them,â that doesnât make it safe. Tradition isnât always right and in matters of child safety, science should lead. We must prioritize updated knowledge over outdated practices when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable.
