At What Point Is It Okay to Put a Baby on His Tummy to Sleep? (Part 2)

Our pediatrician said once baby could roll over easily on their own it's ok. That way, if they feel uncomfortable in any way in the middle of the night (or are having a hard time breathing) they can turn themselves back over. I always put my daughter on her back and eventually she started to roll on her tummy on her own to sleep.

My lactation consultant told me that she did her master's theses on SIDS, and other countries have done a lot more research on the causes than the US has. A scientist in New Zealand has done a lot of research on SIDS, and he has come to the determination that it's a combination of the flame retardents in the mattress, moisture from the baby's breath, and mold that is naturally present in all mattresses that causes a toxic gas to accumulate at the surface of the mattress, which causes the baby to stop breathing. I purchased the Babe Safe mattress cover from the website below, and we haven't had any problems. It's about $30 (or was when I ordered mine). I think this theory makes sense, as I've read recent studies that say babies that sleep in a room with a ceiling fan are less susceptible to SIDS - the fan keeps the air circulating and prevents the gas buildup near the baby's face. That's also why they've found a higher instance of SIDS with babies who sleep on used mattresses. An older mattress means more mold.

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I never put my daughter to sleep on her stomach, but once she could roll herself over I left her on her stomach if that was how she wanted to sleep. Unless you're going to stand over Dylan's crib the entire night, you've got to let him sleep in the most comfortable position for him. But since he's only 4 months old, I'd really keep putting him to sleep on his back until he's old enough to roll himself over.

Hi S., all 3 of my babies slept on their tummies, back in te 80"s when I had my babies were were told to put them on their tummies, so if they spit up they would not choke. Later on parents were told to lay thie babies on the sides, then it was backs, I honestly don't believe SIDS has anything thing to do with the way the babies sleep. A friend of mine her baby died while sleeping in her arms.I have an almost 5 month old that has been able to roll over since she as 3 months, and she sleeps on her tummy. Ask your mom how you slept and she will probably say on your tummy, my mom had 5 kids all slept on our tummies. Hope this helps. J.

The idea of them getting too comfortable and forgetting to breathe does have some foundation - some scientists think that sids babies have a problem with the arousal center in their brain, allowing them to slip into a dangerously deep state of sleep which prohibits them to remember to breathe when they have the normal lapses in breathing throughout the night. This is why the APA is now advocating pacifier use since the sucking on the pacifier keeps the baby in kind of a lighter state of sleep throughout the night. That being said, it is not the only "risk factor" that they think may take part in sids deaths - they are also thinking now that re-breathed air may play a part, which is why they are now recommending fan use in the room where the baby sleeps to keep air circulating as well. As horrible as it is, I think that even if one takes all the precautions they can, some babies are destined to succomb to sids and others could sleep practically face down, with no fan, no pacifer, covered by a heavy blanket, surrounded by stuffed animals and be just fine. So, while it is best to take as many precautions as is practical, there comes a point where you have to do what you can and just have faith that everything will be ok. Your baby is only 2 months so honestly I would not put her on her tummy to sleep just yet but that is just me. However, once she can easily roll back and forth if she flips onto her stomach then let her stay, and if your baby does use a pacifier you can feel a little better knowing that it is supposed to decrease the risk significantly. Good luck to you and enjoy your lil one! :)

I agree with the other 2 posters. Our ped told me the same thing put them to bed on their backs and if the roll onto their bellies-let them be. Once they roll themselves over they can roll themselve back as well. Once they learn how to do it there is really no stopping them especially if they are comfortable that way.Hope this helped. L.:)

i guess you could call me a risky mom but i always had my daughter on her tummy or side to sleep she wouldnot sleep on her back at all. if your baby has good head control and can push up with their arms then your baby should be ok. but if your baby doesnt do that yet then if you choose to place your baby on their tummy to sleep make sure that their head is to the side (and alternate sides so their head doesnt become flat on one side). when your baby starts rolling then let them sleep in whatever position is possible. if you want your baby to sleep on their tummy do a lot of tummy time durring the day so he/she can build strong neck muscles. good luck i hope this was helpful!

My Pediatrician told me the exact same thing as Sophie and we did the same thing she did as well. We always placed our kids on their backs and as soon as they were able to roll (both my kids at 3 months old), they would roll over to their tummies to sleep and we let them be.