Sleeping on the back is best, for adults as well as babies

SAN DIEGO - Health experts have long been professing the “back is best” mantra to new parents wondering how to position their babies for sleep. As it turns out, the back also may be best for adults.

Placing an infant to sleep on his or her back is essential to reducing the risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and has been part of the advice given to new parents for decades. Sleeping on one’s back can also be ideal for improving the health of older children and adults, offer sleep experts.

Misalignment of the body during sleep can put strain on different areas of the body, most especial...