2 Month Old Babygirl Will Only Sleep on Her Belly!

Oh you should have HEARD the criticisms we got about letting our oldest sleep on her tummy!!!! You would have thought that was the worst thing you could ever do to a child!!

Our 5 year old absolutely would NOT go to sleep on her back. One night, we laid her on her tummy, and she slept the night through. We couldn't believe it!

Pediatrician's office seriously wagged fingers at us telling us NOT to do that. They did tell us to make sure that there wasn't anything else in the crib with her (like a blanket or stuffed animal) that might get in the way of her breathing; to make sure not to put her down on anything cushy (like a comforter or blanket), but something more like a firm mattress with a tight fitting sheet.

We had a pack-n-play - the way they're designed, they have mesh all around the bottom of the bassinet so even if she got her face up against the side (which rarely happened), she could still breath. They recommended not smoking or drinking at least until she could roll over (just to make sure our judgement wasn't impaired and wouldn't forget to check on her) - that wasn't an issue for us, neither of us smoke, and rarely drink (not prudes, just a choice).

We also checked on her ALL the time. We had the monitor turned up so loud that if she even thought about flinching, we'd hear it. Plus she slept so soundly that we could hardly hear her on the monitor - which meant we checked on her even more.

We figured surely in the history of civilization that we aren't the only ones to let our child sleep on their stomach, and more often then not, the kids all turned out okay.

Just make sure that the surface she's lying on (crib, pack-n-play, whatever) isn't too cushy - no laying her down on comforters, etc. because she might not be able to breath, nothing in the bed with her (like stuffed animals, sheets, blankets, etc.) and check on her LOTS. I remember checking our daughter every time I went to the bathroom. If I went to get something to drink, I'd check her on the way out of the room, and on the way back. My thought was: You can never check on them too much; just like you can't spoil a child that young.

For what it's worth, and good luck!

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My kids are 10,8 and 7. They ALL slept on their bellies. They just preferred it that way. I tried the wedges, so that they were more on their sides. I tried putting them on their backs, swaddled. I tried giving up tummy time for a while, thinking it was just confusing them. It didn't matter. My kids were all nice, big healthy babies and had great neck strength, so I eventually just stopped worrying. Like others have said, just make sure the mattress or sleeping area is firm and that your baby can lift her head up on her own. I do know that it can be stressfull, when everywhere you look, you see the "Back to sleep" slogan. Many moms I know said their kids were the same way, so there are many of us out there with belly sleepers!!

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Just relax before you drive yourself crazy! My first baby would only sleep on his belly. The day we took him home from the hospital, we laid him on his belly to sleep. He slept great, too. My mom put all 3 of us kids on our bellies to sleep, and we all survived, too. Don't worry about what other people are saying about SIDS. You said your baby has great neck strength, so she will be just fine. She will be able to turn her head from side to side when she's asleep. As long as she has a firm matress, no stuffed animals, and no thick blankets in her bed, then don't worry. I know how you feel, though. I was a huge worryier with my first baby. I worried and obsessed about everything! But, in the end, he turned out fine, and so will your daughter. Hope this helps!
A. M.
www.homewithmykids.info

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My little one preferred to be on her stomach and side too. When she's awake, lay her on her tummy and watch her. You want to see if she can lift and turn her head, you can try moving from one side of her to the other to see if she'll follow you. If she can lift and turn her head then she should be safe. If it makes you feel better, strip her bedding away, no blankets, no sheets, no plush animals.

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