When Do You Allow Your Baby to Sleep on His/her Stomach?

My pediatrician said 'as soon as they can hold their heads up, it's OK'. If your baby can roll over, I wouldn't sweat it, but I understand that we all worry, anyway!

My son (now 17 months) started rolling over at 4 months to his belly and my doctor said it was just fine. When they can roll over, they can stay that way if they want. I never had any problems and he slept great.

Just to let you know I once felt the worry you feel, My son has slept on his tummy in OUR bed pretty much since the day he was born, I was so freaked out because my first child slept ONLY in a crib.I really think its thier personality and you just have to let them, my son is now a happy 14 month old who still enjoys sleeping on his tummy, just like his mama.:)

I allowed my daughter to sleep on her stomach since she was born because she wouldn't sleep on her back, no matter what I tried. Now that she is 7 days from being 10 months she rolls onto her stomach by herself and sleeps fine that way now. What I did during that time when she was sleeping on her stomach was watch her more than normal. Yes, I was more tired but it was worth it to protect my baby. I had her crib right next to my bed and I slept very light and even seemed like I slept with one eye open. I was extremely sensitive to every movement my baby made so any slight movement or noise from her I was aware of and looked over to check on her. She was always alright and did have a strong neck and could lift herself up at a very young age. I never worried about myself sleeping too hard because I am normally a light sleeper. One or two times I did find her sleeping face down but still with her nose able to get some air and I would re-position her head. It was a very scary time and a sleepless 6 months, but I managed it and now I never worry about SIDS because she has so much control of her body now. And even though the doctor was on my case about letting my baby sleep on her stomach, I was able to get through it with no SIDS case! I attribute it to my awareness of it as well as my prayers for my child's well-being. Now my daughter is almost walking and I'm getting a little more sleep!

Hope you get through this difficult time!

Rose

Georgia-

once your baby is old enough to flip themselves onto their stomachs, they will be FINE sleeping that way! And most babies actually prefer it. The big worry about SIDS in newborns to 4 months, and I bet the nurse you asked has either--never had a baby or its been so long that she doesn't remember!
Once in awhile if our daughter falls asleep and she right up next to the crib bumper we will pull her back away from it, a little. but babies move throughout the night and they like to be close to something. Take a deep breath, and let your baby sleep how she wants!
Hang in there:)
-K.

My son started sleeping on his stomach at about the same time. I'm surprised the nurse said to prevent it, because everything I've read and everyone I've talked to (his doctor included) said that once they can roll themselves over, there's not a lot you can do and it's fine. I also used the Angel Care Motion Sensor Monitor. If it doesn't detect movement (breathing) after 15 seconds, an alarm beeps. If there's still no movement at 20 seconds, the alarm goes off. Having this definitely gave me peace of mind, especially when he started sleeping on his stomach with his face in the bumper. The probelem with the monitor, though, it that once they are more mobile, the alarm will sound when they've worked their way into the corner and are off the sensor pad (which is under the mattress).

Jennifer

When it got too hot to use a swaddler, I stopped and my 3 and a half month old won't fall asleep or sleep on his back. My husband and I always put him to sleep on his stomach. I was worried at first, but I've watched him and he always picks his head up and moves it if he can't breathe. I make sure not to put any loose blankets in the crib for him to pull up to his face. They really don't know what causes SIDS anyway. I know everyone discourages stomach sleeping, but most of our mothers put us to sleep on our stomachs because that's what they were told to do then, and we lived to have children of our own. Our child actually wakes himself up crying when he rolls from his stomach to his back. I remember that my little sister wouldn't sleep any other way than on her stomach. She's 22 now. I think it's okay as long as you just make sure that there aren't things in the crib that could cause suffocation. That's the main concern. Simply lying on one's stomach does not cause one to stop breathing.

Both of my sons were fairly large when they were born and very strong. My first son, now 4 years old, started sleeping on his stomach around 3 months old. He could pick up his head easily and roll around a little. My second son, now 2 years old, started sleeping on his stomach around 5 months old. I felt comfortable with it because they were strong and healthy and I never put anything in the crib with them until they were older. Most babies prefer to sleep on their stomachs. I think the medical profession is airing on the side of caution and that's great, but you have to trust your instincts. I think it's very important for both of you to get a good nights sleep and he sounds old enough and strong enough to sleep how he chooses. Especially, if you're putting him on his back and he chooses to flip over and sleep on his stomach. If you choose to put him on his stomach to go to sleep, then you have to weigh the risks.

This is very interesting info out of New Zealand re SIDS

http://www.healthychild.com/cribdeathcause.htm

Seems their incidence of SIDS has pretty much dropped to zero when mattresses are wrapped. I have not looked for other sources to verify this info but plan on doing that because if it is true everyone should know!

I let my daughter sleep that way from day one. She is naturally a stomach sleeper and has slept through the night since about 6 weeks! I don't tell the doctors I put her on her stomach. A generation ago, the doctors told our parents to put kids on their stomachs and we turned out fine. They had SIDS back then (crib death) but if you look at the statistics and other info. regarding SIDS their are other causes as well, such as if someone smokes in the house, if a baby was premature or had other problems, at first I also was scared of this, but it got better. If this bothers you, you can buy one of those mats to put under your baby that will sound if he stops sleeping. You can find them at Babies R us near the monitors. Hope this helps!!!!

You've already gotten a bunch of responses, but I wanted to add mine in too :)

My daughter (who's now 17 mos) slept on her tummy since the time she could turn herself over, about 4-5 mos. I always (even now!) put her down on her back, but she immediately turns over :) It's fine, as long as you make sure there are no blankets, stuffed animals, etc around for suffocation hazards. Although I did let my daughter sleep with a blanket, she still does, it's her "lovey".

Get some sleep girl!!

Can he flip both ways yet? If so then don't worry about it. Just put him to bed on his back and if he flips over let him be. Check on him before you go to bed and make sure his head is to the side and make sure there isn't anything in there that could smother him. Don't put a pillow, stuffed animal, or blanket in there. You may want to remove the bumper as well if he is moving around so much. The doctor told me to dress a baby in as much clothing as needed to stay warm enough without adding a blanket.

Just to add to what everyone else said:
now is the time to take the bumpers out of your crib, and to make sure that the only bedding you have in your crib is a tight sheet & nothing more.

(& I LOVE the person who said that the dr. makes you feel like if they sleep on their stomach they won't wake up!!! Keep in mind too that that are many more reasons SIDS is lower in our generation, not just "back to sleep". I know many families that put their children down on their stomachs from day one & guess what? Those kids are now 3. If the baby is turning, she's FINE)

My 5 month old has always preferred sleeping on her stomach. She sleeps soundly on her tummy. I've read that once a child is able to roll over you don't have to worry. You can check with your doctor again but I would just make sure that the crib doesn't have stuffed animals or extraneous blankets or quilts, a firm mattress, etc. You can't really force him to sleep on his back. If all other things are okay, he should be fine.

It looks as though you have plenty of advice from others but I thought I'd share mine. This was my first baby and I was very paranoid about sleeping arrangements including not wanting him to sleep in bed with us for fear of hurting him. But when my husband discovered he slept a lot better on his tummy at just a month of age (could have even been earlier) we decided to let him sleep that way. My aunt was visiting and told me all of my cousins and kids before this generation are alive - they were told the exact opposite that babies will choke on their backs so to keep them on their tummies. I can't say I didn't worry a little but I definitely didn't sleep with one eye open. If you keep the bed free of bedding that could make clefts if grabbed and pulled by the little one but for the most part even my pediatrician said if that is what the baby prefers, that is fine.

Hi Georgia -

Maybe I'm cynical, but I'd love to see recent actual studies on percentages and numbers of how many SIDS deaths are prevented by babies sleeping on their backs- everyone 'says' this is is true, but I don't see any recent data -

I am a stomach sleeper, and each of my four children are also stomach sleepers - when they were first born, I would put them down on their side (they would not fall asleep and cry if I put them on their backs - to me this was cruel and unusual punishment - if someone made me sleep on my back, I would want to cry too) - and they would usually stay there until they were about 3-4 months old and starting to roll over - and they would roll over on their stomachs - I absolutely think that if they are old enough to roll over, they are fine -
The doctors would have you believe that the minute your child rolls over on their tummy, they will never wake up - humans are just more hardy than that - and I have a problem with living in fear of everything - tragedies do occur - but I am not convinced sleeping position has anything to do with this kind of tragedy - I am MUCH more worried about the safety of 12-15 vaccines or more that most children get in the first year of life -

If you keep the crib free of pillows and puffy blankets, etc. - and your baby doesn't have a neurological delay or disorder, and they are old enough to roll over - I wouldn't worry - trust your instincts more than anything else -

Good luck!

I think he is ok - my son started doing the same thing when he was that age. I think it just the 1st 3 months where is the highest risk. The big thing is not to put anything in there with him- although our son slept with a blankie and he was fine.... so just trust your gut. I'm sure he is ok :-)

Tummy sleeping is not the cause of SIDS, it only helps to prevint it. Once your child can roll himself over onto his tummy, I say all bets are off. He is probably more comfortable that way. Take a deep breath and know that he is just taking another step in his development.

As with anything check with your pediatrician, but my thought is if he's flipping himself onto his tummy, he has the strength to move his head from side to side and should be fine. Remember, for GENERATIONS we all slept on our tummies and did fine.

Unless there are other underlying concerns or environmental impacts, I think he's fine to sleep on his tummy at 5 months.

My little guy had reflux and actually did better on his tummy from about 12 weeks on.

Double check the actual SIDS site but I remember reading that they said not to cause sleep issues over it. My baby just woke up- gotta go!

As soon as james was able to filp over on his own from his stomach to his back i agave up getting him to sleep on his back. He actually started to sleep better and longer when he sleeps on his stomach. As long as there is nothing in the crib that he could choke on, relaxe. I also kept a monitore next to the bed so i could hear all his little noise all night long. It made me less nervious
A.

Georgia,

When my son began flipping from his back to his stomach (at about 5 months old), I sent an email out to our Multiples support group and EVERYONE said (including a few pediatricians) that as long as they can turn over, they are strong enough to sleep on their tummy. Using a positioner once they are flipping over could cause more problems, so they shouldn't be used any longer. As others have mentioned, just be sure that the crib is free of smothering hazards and get some rest!

I was the same as you. Scared of SIDS. But I realized my son hated his back and would roll over. So I left him there. He's 10 months and doing great.

Once my son was able to roll over I let him stay on his tummy, but before I went to bed and in the middle of the night when I let the dog out I would make sure his face was positioned so he could breathe well.

Hi Georgia,

He's past needing to worry about SIDS. If he can flip himself over, let him be. Besides, they sleep better and longer on their bellies.

I believe that's what my pediatrician said too - when they're able to flip back and forth, put them to sleep on their back but if they switch later it's fine to let them decide whatever position is most comfortable for them. If anything, I would think using the divider things would be more dangerous than leaving them be since you really shouldn't add anything else in the crib. Plus, I think if you keep getting up at night to flip him over, you're not only preventing yourself from getting a good night's sleep but him too. Just imagine if you slept better on your stomach and someone kept flipping you over in the middle of the night. Sleep well!

I had both of my kids back when we still put them on their tummies to sleep so I tend to think that as long as the baby can turn over it should be ok but ask the doctor not the nurse to be sure.

I was worried about the same thing with my son. I was told by my pediatrician that once they start rolling over there is no need to worry about them sleeping on their stomachs (if they roll themselves that way). You can't stop them from rolling over, unless you are up all night. As they age their trachea (the air way) strengthens and the incidence of SIDS decreases. I definitely would not be adding stuff to the crib to keep them from rolling over for fear of them smothering themselves on it. They say beware of bumpers and no fluffy blankets or stuffed animals in their cribs when sleeping.

Hope that helps some.

Good luck,

J.

Georgia, I know this is such a touchy subject! If my son, who is 4 months old, fell asleep during "tummy time" on his mat I would check on him constantly to make sure he was ok. He's just started to roll over during the night (he sleeps in his crib in his own room) and when I get him in the morning I find him that way; on his tummy. I don't go in every hour to make sure he's ok. Most of the time when he goes on his tummy I can hear him on the monitor when he tries to roll back over because sometimes he struggles, but he does it just fine, or falls back to sleep on his stomach. He seems to sleep just fine. He has been sleeping through the night for a few weeks now and just one night he woke up at 3 because he was on his tummy and all crooked in his crib and wanted to move around! That was it! So I think it's just a personal decision; whatever you are comfortable with. Good luck!

My daughter just recently started to sleep on her tummy at about 5 months old and even though she was a great sleeper before she found her tummy, she has had longer naps during the day on her tummy. So I just let her be and sleep on her tummy or flip onto her back/side. One thing I did do a few months ago before we made the transition from bassinet to crib is I found the Bebe Angel Care Monitor with sensor pad with 2 parent units on Ebay for $60.00 and that makes a HUGE difference! I absolutely love this monitor and the peace of mind it gives us, I wish I had this monitor with our 2 boys...we sleep a lot better at night!!! :)

She's FINE!!! When I realized that my baby slept better through the night when he was NOT on his back, I started letting him sleep through the night on his tummy. What made me feel better about disregarding "The Rule" was learning the risk factors for SIDS. I dont remember all of them (my son's 6 now) but they were... fluffy blankets or pillows, room too warm, people that smoked in the home, pets (I think because of the allergens?) and so on.

If your baby can lift her head to turn from side to side (she's rolling over so I'd say yes she can) and has unobstructed breating (no fluffy stuff by her face blocking breathing) and you dont smoke at home (or preferably, not at all), then LET HER SLEEP.

Think about it. Would YOU like to sleep flat on your back? No pillows, just flat on your back? I sure can't! Why should we expect our babies to?

Another thing; it peaks at about 2 or 4 months of age. I remember feeling that I'd done the right thing in having already let him sleep on his tummy because at 4? months old, if they are not used to sleeping on their tummies and turning their heads, that is the peak time for SIDS to happen -- not sure I remember just why but I think something to do with them becoming heavier and sleeping more deeply at that age??? So, bottom line, just make sure you remove as many of the risk factors as you can, and observe your child during the day during naps and if she lifts and turns her head fine, she's fine. Get your sleep, both of you, so you'll be a better mama and baby can grow well.

If he is comfortable on his tummy then let him. The other part of SIDS is blankets and other bedding too close to the face and not allowing air to flow freely.

My 2nd daughter was the same way. Even with the umbilical clip attached she would ONLY sleep on her tummy. She is now a healthy, rambunctious 7yo who only sleeps on her back - go figure.

I was told once they can roll over you can't really prevent it...you'll go nuts if you have to keep going in to check him. I think the nurse is just worried because they are told to advise you to put babies to sleep on their back. Put him down on his back and then let him do what he wants. You both need your sleep. My peditrician actually told me it was fine if she wanted to sleep on her belly once she started rolling on her own. For a at leat six months she preferred going to sleep on her belly.

Let your baby sleep on his tummy. My son has slept on his tummy since he was 1 week old. He liked it better and slept better and I got some sleep too. Used to be that we were supposed to sleep on our bellies in case we spit up. The only time you have to worry about SIDS is after a vaccine. It's part of that entrenched medical errors that they are using a new term to explain why these kids all of a sudden drop dead. Most died within 2 weeks after having a vaccine. Same with shaken baby syndrome which after the DPT vaccine the brain can swell just like it would if the brain was dislodged. (not saying that some parents haven't shaken their babies, it's just not as common that we would need a syndrome named for it.)