What does it mean to have a sunny side up baby?
Sunny Side Up Baby: A term used to refer to babies born with their head facing towards the sun. They are usually lighter colored than other babies and they tend to sleep upright. Their skin color may even appear paler than that of a normal newborn. Sunnier Side Up Babies: Also known as “sunbabies” or “sunnyside up babies”. These babies are often darker in color than the rest of the babies and they sleep sideways. Some believe that these babies are cursed because they were born under such circumstances.
How do I know if my baby is a sunny side up baby?
The first thing to look out for when looking at your baby’s face is whether its eyes are open or closed. If there is no movement from either eye, then it’s probably a sunny side up baby!
If your baby is sleeping upright, then the forehead will be slightly raised. You’ll notice that if your baby’s nose is pointed upwards, then it’s probably a sunny side up baby.
If your baby has a small mouth, but its lips are not moving together (as opposed to being parted) then it’s most likely a sunny side up baby.
There are other signs that your baby may be a sunny side up baby. Do remember to consult with a doctor before coming to any conclusion.
What does it mean if my baby is sunny side up?
If you find that your baby is sleeping upright, then you may want to know the following information.
First of all, no two babies are alike. This is more noticeable when trying to determine your baby’s sleeping style. Some babies may sleep on their side (not necessarily on their side), some may sleep on their back, some may sleep (more or less) upright, and a rare few may sleep facing the opposite direction.
Sunnyside up babies can be a bit difficult to deal with at first. Their sleep patterns are not the same as other babies and you may need to get a baby carrier in order to get your daily chores done.
Remember, every baby is different. Don’t be alarmed if you find your baby to be sleeping (or in this case, not sleeping) in a particular position.
If your baby is sleeping upright, then it’s most likely not suffering from any medical condition.
How do I turn my baby from sunny side up to normal position?
If you’d like to help your baby turn over, then try doing the following:
Place your hands on both of your baby’s shoulders and give a gentle push downward. Repeat this step many times during the day until your baby is in a normal sleeping position. You don’t want to force the matter too much, as forcing your baby could cause injury or even death.
If you still can’t seem to get your baby to turn over, then consult your physician immediately. Getting help early can save time and money in the long run.
What does it mean if my baby is a sunny side up baby during birth?
For some parents, they may first realize that their baby is a sunny side up baby when the doctor tells them at the hospital.
There is no direct link between being born a sunny side up baby and having any type of disorder in the future. It all just depends on your lifestyle and how you wish to raise your child.
How do I treat a sunny side up baby?
The good thing about babies that are born in the “sunny side up” position is that they tend to sleep more than other babies.
If you have a sunny side up baby, then congratulations! You have a happy and sleeping baby (most of the time). There is nothing much to do other than changing the diaper and putting it back to sleep in the same position.
Common Questions from Parents
Here are some questions that parents tend to ask regarding the “sunny side up” position.
Will my baby be able to turn normally by the time it’s born?
Most parents worry about the safety of their baby. They want to know if their child will be able to turn himself back over as he grows.
This is completely normal to worry about. Luckily, most babies that are positioned in a “sunny side up” position do turn themselves back over (eventually). It’s all about patience and time.
My baby was born in the “sunny side up” position and now he is turning himself over.
Is this normal?
Again, this question also relates to safety. Some parents are confused as to why their baby isn’t turning back over like they thought they would.
The good news is that there is nothing to worry about. As the baby grows, he will eventually roll over by himself (provided that he doesn’t have any health conditions).
Sources & references used in this article:
Why the sunny side is up: Associations between affect and vertical position by BP Meier, MD Robinson – Psychological science, 2004 – journals.sagepub.com
Alcott’s Psyche and Kate: Self-Portraits, Sunny-Side Up by JM Alberghene – Children’s Literature Association Quarterly, 1981 – muse.jhu.edu
Sunny side up by M Roberts – 2009 – Delacorte Press
Family and the child with a posterior fossa tumor by HH Lin – 1994 – books.google.com
Sunny Side Up: The Storied Past of America’s Most Important Meal of the Day by JL Holm – 2015 – Scholastic Inc.
