Welcome to Ask Dr. Harvey Karp, our fatherhood advice column at Esquire , where the author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and creator of the SNOO answers your burning questions about parenting . Got a query? Drop us a line in the comments.

You’re absolutely right: placing your baby on their back is the safest position for sleep.

The good news is that, after doctors launched the “Back to Sleep” campaign in the '90s, infant deaths in bed (also called SIDS or SUID) dropped dramatically. Thousands of lives have been saved! Unfortunately, despite this progress, almost 4,000 families suffer the agony of the tragic loss of their baby during sleep every year, and over half are found face down or on their side.

The Appeal—and Danger—of Stomach Sleeping

Many babies easily fall aslee

See Full Page