Putting Baby to Sleep on Tummy

Hello T. -

I just want you to know that I do the same thing too. I know I fear about SIDs too, but my little ones loves laying on her belly. I only let her do it for naps and as long as I will be in the same room as her. You just have to remember, you will make the decisions that are best for you and your family. I hope that helps...

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Hello T.,

For me it was a matter of how my Mom handled all four of us as new borns. We all slept on our tummies. My Mom was concerned that if we woke up and spit-up...where would it go, nose, ears. So my son slept on his tummy when I brought him home. He is 17 now. I hope this helps.

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I put all my children to sleep on their tummy's when they were little and they survived quite well. The youngest one is now 26 years old. I did make sure that nothing was close to their faces so that they had room to breathe and when they were babies they never used a pillow so...I see no problem with putting your baby to sleep in a position that she is comfortable in. I never did co sleep (they all wiggled around way to much for me even my youngest who is both physically and mentally challenged) with any of my kids so I can't say much about that.

I might add that all of my children had a firm mattress in their bassinets and/or cribs for quite awhile so there was no danger from to soft of a mattress.

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It used to be you were SUPPOSED to do that, because of choking on their spitup. So while the risk of SIDS may be slightly higher (anyone seen actual stats on that?) the other risks are more of a concern (soft bedding, second hand smoke etc)
ALSO, you can try swaddling her if you are still worried about it. They even sell swaddlers that are like a little pocket you tuck them into and velcro them in snug. My daughter flailed ALOT in her sleep and would wake herself up. The velcro swaddler was the only one that would stay on her, but it really improved her sleep. She outgrew it too soon though and became a side/tummy sleeper. Soon your daughter will be able to roll over and choose for herself.

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My kids were the same way. My mom, and I am sure anyone from her generation, will tell you that they all put their kids to sleep on their tummy and they lived.

Most SIDS deaths involved mothers who smoke (number one reason) and have too much blankets in the bed.

As a mother, I would trust your instincts, instead of the 'guilt' that is put on us by the 'experts'

I am adding a little bit here - just fyi. First, like one woman said, both doctors and nurses MUST tell you to make you child sleep on their back because of what rules they go by. At the same time, many will say that it is up to you if say that you do let the baby sleep on their tummy. Also, remember that doctors think they know everything (sorry to any doctors out there!) I am not trying to be derogatory, just that sometimes what is fact to the medical field might not be a fact for you.

Second, scientists, doctors, etc still DON'T KWOW for certain what exactly causes SIDS. Yes, SOME studies have shown that co-sleeping increases the risk, but MANY MORE show that co-sleeping actually prevents against SIDS. (one theory on SIDS is that new babies aren't good at regulating their sleep, and get into really deep sleep and stop breathing, co-sleeping helps with that problem because there are other people, movements, ect, to keep them from not going into that super deep sleep)

For me, when I was going through this same thing, I tried to remember my beliefs. We never know when it is our time. Some people smoke 2 packs a day and live till they are 90, and some don't smoke and die of lung cancer at 20. Some babies are born with health issues, others not. If a baby dies of something like SIDS, of course the reaction would be to blame ourselves, but the fact of the matter is, we never know when our time is up, and unfortunately, it could be sooner than later. Given that, I try to listen to my gut, take the advice of the professionals, but then somehow make it work together.

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I have put all of my babies to sleep on their stomachs. They seem to sleep better this way. All of them could move their heads from side to side and I lay them on a tight sheet- never bunching blankets. I am constantly worried about sids but I feel that the benefit out weighs the risk. I hope I'm right.
Mother of six chilren- one 2 week old

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