"Sleeping on Stomach"

Hi T.,

OK -- when we were kids the Dr.'s wanted our mothers to lay us down to sleep on our stomachs. And you and I are still here. Now the reason that they are so concerned with laying babies on their stomachs now is that they could possible suffocate. If your son can lift his head on his own and you do not put blankets and stuff in his crib, he should be fine. Also, colicky babies tend to do much better when laid on their bellies. It helps to relieve the pressure. I always tell new moms worried about stomach sleeping to remember how Jimmy Hendricks died -- he was laying on his back and vomited. He choked on the vomit and died. If he were on his belly he may still be alive. Don't worry, do whatever works best for you and your little man.

I assume he can roll over on his own? If so, I wouldn't worry about it. I was always told that you put babies to sleep on their backs, but once they can roll over, they will sleep in whatever position they prefer. Just keep the crib clear - no pillows, fluffy bedding, etc.

No doctor expects you to force a child to stay in one position. If he can't roll over, I'd probably keep putting him down on his back, but once he can roll over on his own, he'll do what he wants.

I have heard a lot of negative things about the sleep positioning things and I believe the latest research says they do not help prevent sids and may even pose more problems rather than help.

If he has good head control and can roll over on his own then you needn't worry. I would just continue to put him to bed on his back and if he wants to roll over, he will. You could try a sleep positioner to prevent him from rolling onto his belly but I'd imagine you wouldn't be able to use it for long. Once he figures out how to roll or scoot out of the positioner, it should be removed from the crib. I used this one http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2341851

I was so anxiety ridden when my first son started rolling onto his belly at night that I barely slept for a month because I was constantly going in to check that he was breathing. It was exhausting to say the least. I went through the same anxiety with my second son as well. You're not alone in your concern but just be reassured that this is a normal milestone for your son. Best wishes and try not to worry too much. :)

Hey T.,

Doctors say a lot of things!! Both of my babies would only sleep through the night if they were on thier stomach. My son when he was a newborn my MIL put him on his stomach while my hubby and I were away for a night out , I almost had a fit becuase the doctor said not to. Well that was the first time my son had slept that long in 3 weeks after birth. Afterwards that's how he slept. My daughter was the same exact way. What i have never understood was if they lay on thier back and they spit up can't they choke on that?? rather than thier head down?? who knows, but I don't think thier is a problem with your baby sleeping that way. Good luck

i just read an article where they find that most of the SIDS babies are infected with a specific bacteria. Sids is a mystery disease becasue no one really knows whay it happens. there has been a lot of controversy over tummy vs back sleeping. When my oldest was a baby 30 yrs ago they cautioned against putting him on his back because of aspiration and choking due to the babies' undeveloped swallwoing. then when my next son was born 18 yrs ago it was the other way around. your baby will decide which way he wants to sleep no matter what you do. my 11 month old grandson is a tummy sleeper. this is an innate trait which no one can change. when he started rolling over he always slept on his tummy. he was about 2 months old then. if his mommy would turn him back around he would wake and not go back to sleep. no mater how many thngs she did to keep him on his back he always managed to go to his tummy. i dont think there is anything you can do as soon as they start moving around on their own. you can try swaddling if you are that concerned but my charlie always got out of the balkets anyway.

It is proven that sleeping on the back reduces SIDS. Of course they like to sleep on their tummies. I think sleeping on the side is fine, I used a positioner to prop mine up (and it really helped her sleep). Once they can roll over on their tummy then it's okay. Continue to put him down on his back.

T. -

I also have a 5 month old daughter who also just recently wanted to start sleeping on her stomach. It scared me at first but she refused to sleep on her back. I tried the sleep positioners and she did not like them. I finally relaxed about it and decided that if she can roll and pick up her head then she is ok to sleep on her stomach. Now that she is on her stomach, she is also taking longer naps during the day. Good luck, they are so much fun at this age.

B.

can he roll over yet my son started rolling over at two months and has been sleeping on his stomach since then

Both my boys prefered to sleep on their stomach. I figure that if they can roll to their stomach, then they could roll back if there is a problem. My rule is that I ALWAYS lay them down on their back but it is up to them what they do with it. My first would sometimes roll and my youngest always rolls. Good luck!

My forth child was only happy sleeping on his tummy. From 7 weeks on...I worried about this but he slept through the night like this. He is now five years old. I just made sure there was nothing in his crib, not even blankets. I would dress him in a blanket sleeper even in the summer since we kept our air conditioning so low at night. If it is nap time, you can check on him once in awhile.

Hi T.,
There's an easy (and cheap) way to make a sleep-positioner, too. (no sewing)

If that's what you want to do, I can write directions.
:) T

Hi T.,

I did everything that I could to keep my daughter on her side until she was 4 months old. That's when she started scooting down in the sleep positioner and I had to finally throw my hands in the air and give up. She is now 27 months and made it through. I now have a 10 week old son who was born 3 weeks early and we found that the only way that he will sleep on his own is if he's on his tummy. Everytime we tried to lay him down, back or side, swaddled or not swaddled, put him in his swing or bouncer, he would freak out. He would only sleep in bed with me or on me and it really started to wear me down. Then one night while we were sitting on the couch he rolled onto his tummy and snoozed away for four solid hours while my husband let me sleep and he sat and watched him. So we inadvertantly learned that he was a tummy sleeper. This was around 6 weeks of age so I kept him in a cradle for a couple of weeks so I could keep a close eye on him and now he's been in his crib for a week and he's doing great!!! He even slept through the night last night for the first time (9:00 to 5:00). Long story short...he's given us no choice but to allow him to be a tummy sleeper. My husband and I were tummy sleepers right along with the rest of our generation and the way we have to look at it is...we made it through ok as well. It doesn't mean that we will be any less paranoid, or that we won't wake up every hour on the hour to check on him/them, but they will be ok :o).

Hi T.,

When my babies were young we were advised to wrap them tight with a baby blanket and lay them on their side, using another baby blanket as a back support. I also lifted one end of the mattress with the head end a little higher, like an inch very subtle.

However I do understand now doctors are saying, no blankets, not toys, no pillows, yadda yadda and no bottle and on the back.

I have not ever been able to sleep on my back with out being lifted up a little on the bed.

Times have sure changed and each generation has their NEW thought and ideal.

The habit of sleeping on the back is actually an excellent habit to have. Not sure if it prevents sids.

This is why my generation tucked our babies on their side.
If they spit up then it could not choke them.

Follow your heart and be true to you.

C.