4 1/2 Month Old Flipping on Belly to Sleep

I agree with eveyrone else - if she's flipping by herself - let her sleep!! You know the old adage - NEVER wake a sleeping baby - get the sleep now while you can, 'cause you never know when she'll stop sleeping through the night again :)

I would certainly let her go to her stomach. When my son flipped over on his own, he finally slept through the night. My sister read a recent article about sleeping babies on their stomach, which recommended it. She has done this since day one with her new baby, and he slept through the night at 1 week. (and he is breastfed!) She used a bebe sounds movement monitor I gave her. I am definately doing this for me next baby.
Good luck.

Hi! My daughter has been sleeping on her stomach since she was one month, she's two and a half now. I was worried like you, but she kept acting like she was choking (acid reflux maybe) when I put her on her back. I looked things up about SIDS and there are other factors besides stomach sleeping (smoking, some believe a part of the brain doesn't work properly, too much stuff in the crib, bad prenatal care...). I just have to have faith. Try not to worry!

B. S

I had a similar problem (except at 3 weeks) and the dr also recommended a sleep positioner (sp?). The first one he rolled off and then slept on his stomach next to it, LOL. He actually stopped doing that after about a week, and then didn't roll over again until 5 months. I agree with the other moms, make sure EVERYTHING (including bumpers and any blankets) is out of the crib and don't worry about it. Even the AAP doesn't recommend flipping them back over. Just put her down on her back, make sure the crib is "nothing but baby" and know you've done what you could. In 6 weeks you can worry less about it.

Oh, and to the other moms who say "they keep changing things," the science on SIDS prevention with the "Back to Sleep" campaign is actually pretty darn good. There has been a 40% reduction in SIDS deaths since it started. Sure they sleep better on their stomachs-- which is probably linked to SIDS deaths (though of course the chances are still pretty low, SIDS is the number one killer of infants) I know it is frustrating when things change, but that doesn't mean the changes aren't for the best!

I read once that if a baby can flip themselves over then it is ok if they sleep on their stomach because that means they have the strength to flip themselves back and/or lift their heads up.

I remember when my son did it the first couple times... I was just like you and kept flipping him back. he would go right back onto his belly. I am not too familiar with a wedge but I would be more concerned using something that your daughter would be able to push her face into in the middle of the night.

**we took the bumpers out of the crib once my son started rolling cause he would always roll right up against them

H.

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I used the sleep wedges on my preemie triplets. They're great, but by 4 1/2 months I'm thinking it's not a problem to let them stay on their stomach if that's where they want to be. They can easily lift their head and flip over so I don't understand the problem with the doc. It would be different if she were 4 1/2 weeks. I wouldn't worry about it. If you use a wedge at this point, she can still wiggle herself over and sometimes they scoot down while trying to wiggle on their stomach. Then you do have an obstruction in their way for breathing, the wedge! I had that with all of my triplets, one by one the same thing happened. They fought to get over the wedge caused more problems than helping. By 4 1/2 months they're pretty strong and then they get upset cuz they can't flip over. Honestly, all 5 of my children were happier to sleep on their stomachs, as are many other babies. I wouldn't stress it.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat

My daughter has been doing this for 2 weeks now, she will be 4 months in a couple of days. Just put her on her back, if she flips, she flips and leave her alone! My son was the same way. My doctor says that once you can flip, there is nothing you can do and their chances of SIDS is decreased because their brain has developed enough to flip themselves over intentionally. If it was accidental, that is another story. The sleep wedge actually can be a suffocation hazard if they are wiggling and moving, and I believe the packaging with it says so. Just make sure she does not have anything in the crib with her anymore and let her sleep the way she wants! Every doctor is different on many subjects like this one, so my advice is to find one that you agree with and stick with him/her. The difference in advice tells you that there really is no right or wrong way (for most things), it is just what works best for you and your family. Enjoy your 2 hour breaks!

I have used a sleep positioner with my 2 older sons and am using one wiht my 12 week old. I love them! My kids are so rutchy and it helps them feel secure so they don't wiggle to find something to wiggle up to. My kids are all belly sleepers now, but they did side sleeping in the sleep positioner. I am not a fan of total back sleeping because my kids were not as comfortable that way, They sleep much better on their sides. With Zander I do the same thing. I turn him facing the left or right side to prevent the flatting on his head. I have read reports that total back sleeping can flatten the bak of the head and some children have required helmets to help reform the skull. Now, I don't have the reports at hand to site them for you but they have been in the last 3 years. I let my kisd do belly sleeping when they were old enought to roll both way by themselves in their sleep.

My children are all grown, but with each baby I was given different instructions on how they should sleep and always told they would die if they slept any other way. Science is forever changing its mind about babies. I've come to the conclusion over the years that sleep rules for babies are fads based on the latest study. So I wouldn't panic too badly! If I'd followed all the rules I got over the years, I'd have had to make my babies sleep standing up.

Hi A.,
I am a Mom of 4 spanning from teens to two's and when my oldest child was a baby the doctors told me to have him sleep on his belly. Then when my next one was born it was on their back. It has gone back and forth over the years, but I will say that my kids always slept their best on their bellies especially if they have gas it is more comfortable for them to get it out of them. As long as she is able to lift her head on her own, she should do great. If she is more comfortable that way, I always say don't mess with a good thing, then everyone is happy! God Bless your family.
~D. M~

I think she is fine. I think doctor's worry about sids when they are that young and sleep on their belly. she can move back and forth on her own. I would not worry about it. she seems to be fine from what you say.

A.,
Stop worring and start enjoying the sleep your lil one is now getting! She will be just fine on her belly. If you are really concerned then make sure there is nothing in the crib that can get in her way of breathing. Let her sleep and do not wake her! Her little body needs the rest to grow and be healthy! Relax and take a nap yourself or do something for you!
Good luck
Chris

Against my pediatricians repeated requests I let my son (my third child) sleep on his belly from DAY ONE. He's now nine months old and STILL sleeps on his belly. We tried to make him sleep on his back but that began a half hour to an HOUR of fussing/crying/screaming each time we tried! The second we turned him over on his belly he was out like a light!!! I do/did what works for me. All the SIDS tests, professionals, and books I've read insist a child MUST sleep on their backs until at least 8 months old or until they can turn themselves over...whatever comes first. Ultimately, I listened to no one but ME when it came to this issue.

If your daughter's able to flip herself over I say let her be. She'll sleep however she's comfortable... belly or back :)

Take care and good luck!

-M.

our son was rolling from back to belly at the same age. we had heard common wisdom was that if they are able to roll over, they are able to lift their head for breathing purposes and should be fine on their belly. Does your daughter have good neck strength/control? We didn't flip him back over after the first couple of nights and he was fine. I would just make sure their aren't lots of pillows or animals in the crib to bury her face in. We never used a sleep wedge... Glad she's sleeping well!

I have let my daughter who is 5 1/2 months old sleep on her belly since she came home from the hospital. I also have a son who is 3 yrs old and he always slept on his belly when he was an infant. I was okay with this because I have what is called a BebeSounds Angelcare Movement Sensor & Sound Monitor. An Alarm goes off if absolutely no movement is detected for 20 seconds, while the sound monitor lets you hear the slightest sound. It is a little expensive ($70-$100) but worth every penny. I got it at Walmart. My babies only liked to sleep on their bellies and a friend told me about this monitor when I was pregnant with my first baby. I got it and love it. It has always given me peace of mind so I sleep as well as my children do. Since my babies could sleep on their bellies they both started sleeping 10 - 12 hours a night when they were 8 weeks old. I hope this helps. If you have any questions please feel free to email me at ____@____.com

Andrea

all 3 of my little ones were belly sleepers. For my first son, I was very nervous. But his brother and sister followed into the same pattern. I would just check on them now and then. My youngest takes a 3 hour nap on his belly:-)

We have one son, 2 years old and it was really scary when he flipped over & fell SOUND asleep on his tummy & cried when on his back & side. Lots of people told me about how their kids did fine sleeping on their tummies but when it is your baby it is just SO scary. We did try one (and two) of those wedges but they actually helped him roll more, he wedged up against it and then flipped easier. When he was in our room, I just kept checking on him but the real fright was when he went into his own room. We bought two things to give us peace of mind. One, the Angel Care monitor and two, a video monitor. The Angel care was great because it detects movement and until your daughter starts scooting around the crib you shouldn't have any false alarms. The video monitor proved to be more than peace of mind, it has become entertainment too. When he learned began to wake at night we could see him & that he was fine and would watch him learn to go back to sleep. We have seen him standing, bouncing, talking to and kissing his bear blanket and doing all kinds of silly/cute things that he likely wouldn't do with us in the room. I would highly recommend a video monitor to any new parent, they are a bit pricey but WELL WORTH the money.
We have lay in bed at night & watched our little baby become a sweet little boy and laughed at his new tricks.

A.,
When my first was born at 10 weeks premature even teh nurses in the NICU would put the babies to sleep on their bellies. I questioned this and they all told me they sleep so much better this way. I guess with all the equipment they were hooked up to they were ok with it. So mine slept on her belly right from the start. If your little one is turning herself then don't worry keep her crib clear of anything and enjoy.
L.

I have to be completly honest I always let me son sleep on his belly because he would sleep the longest on his back he would always startl and wake up after a short while. But i would always keep an eye on him I would never losr sight of him while sleeping on his tummy. But my son was also able to lift his head from birth.I'm not recommending anything to you I just sharing my experience because it sounded similar to yours.He's now eight months and getting him to go to sleep is now the kicker.
Thanks
Shant'e

All 4 of my sons slept on their bellies from about 4-5 weeks old. My pediatricians said that was fine as long as they could raise/turn their heads.

I say let her sleep on her belly if that is where she is comfortable.

All five of my children slept on their belly. They are 20,18,14,10 and 4 now.

I can honestly say from experience that it really is the best way to sleep. My son whom now is 5 years old slept on his belly since 2 months of age. Not only that but my mom says that she also put me to sleep belly down and never had a problem. In atcuality I prefer to sleep belly down until today!

I've always heard that if they can flip to thier belly (and they like it there), let them stay there. Unless she seems to be struggling to get comfortable or breathe (which it doesn't sounds like she is) I wouldn't worry about it.

Hi my name is T. and I'm mother to a 20 month little boy. We started letting him sleep on his belly around 3 months. When he would sleep on his back he never really slept more than 1 hour without waking him up. My mother-in-law watched him 1 night and put him on his belly and he slept up until my husband flipped him back onto his back and he promptly woke up. Once we found out how soundly he slept on his belly we started letting him sleep like that. We of course checked on him constantly that 1st week but after that we calmed down and relaxed. He has been sleeping thru the night since.

my first slept on his belly from birth and my second from when he could flip over. I am happy to report no damage was done by doing something different from what the dr. reccomended.

If your baby can lift her head well, dont worry about her falling asleep on her belly. That is normal. I am a first time mom and worried about the same thing. Also I was told never to wake a sleeping baby, but I did after a two hour nap. I too was told to use a sleep wedge, so I went to Babies R Us and spent $20 on one. I hated it! and so she. Again, if she has good head control, relax and enjoy the two hours of peace.

You have such a pretty name! I wouldn't worry about flipping her back, especially if she is sleeping much better. My son did the same thing and it made a world of wonders for my sleeping! I just made sure there were no bumpers or anything else in the crib. In fact, I have heard not to use the sleep wedge at all from other reliable pediatricians and people.

I would just leave her be, as long as there's nothing in her crib to harm her. If she's able to control her head she should be fine. My kids were always belly sleepers. I took out bumpers, stuffed animals, etc, just to be on the safe side.

Both of my boys (now 3 and 1) slept on their bellies - it's the only way either one would sleep more than 20 minutes at a time!! I just made sure there was nothing in the crib - I didn't even use a bumper pad.

I agree! Just leave her sleeping on her belly.

Hi A.,

Once your baby is old enough to flip over on her own, then she is OK sleeping on her belly. My son started sleeping on his belly as soon as he could flip over on his own. The risk of SIDS is only higher before they can turn themselves over.

Enjoy the sleep!

J.

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If she's flipping herself over, I'd say just let her sleep there. I've always let my babies sleep on their bellies once they can get there themselves - one was even younger than yours. Their napping improved dramatically when they did. I'd monitor her for a few times, but as long as you're careful about making sure that she's sleeping on a firm surface and that there are no stuffed animals or anything around, she should be OK.
Enjoy those long naps!

My son, who is now 3, slept on his tummy from Day 1 with no problems. He just wasn't comfortable on his back. My hubby and I were fine with it because our moms were told to have us sleep on our tummy when we were babies. I felt better with him sleeping on his tummy because if he threw up, he would not aspirate like he could if he were on his back. I think babies tend to do what is most comfortable for them.

Hopefully you can all get some peace-filled rest! Best wishes! C.

Hi A., Yes the sleeping wedges work very well. I used one for my daughter when she was an infant. You can also roll a small baby blanket up and use that as a wedge. Also try putting your daughter on her side to sleep. This can work very well, especially if you are using a wedge. Good luck.
W.

A.

Let a sleeping baby lie!
Give yourself piece of mind by removing stuffed animals, extra blankets and anything else that you feel could possibly cover her face and just let her sleep.
I have always felt with my little ones that once they were able to move themselves they were telling me they were ready. She probably has very good head control and if she's getting belly time has some arm strength too. If it makes you feel more at ease use a baby monitor or check in on her if you do decide to leave her go.
I've never used sleep wedges or anything like it so I hope someone else can give you feedback on those.
Good Luck to you.

Hi A.,

I agree with all they ladies who have responded. My son is now 7 months and I've been putting him on his belly to sleep since he was two months old. in fact back when we were all babies (those of us who are in our 30's that is) our mothers were instructed to lay us on our bellies so that we woudln'd choke on our spit up in the middle of the night. If she is strong enough to roll over you don't have anything to worry about. She is getting comfortable that's all;)
Take care,

H.

If you want to leave her on her belly, maybe you should consider buying an Angelcare monitor. It is a monitor with a motion sensor pad that is placed under the mattress and if it doesn't detect any movement for 20 seconds, an alarm sounds. We bought one when my now 4 month old was born and it is the best sleep I have ever had with a baby (no worries). It is sensitive enough that even though it is under her crib mattress, it can detect her breathing movements... just a thought =O}

my little guy did the same thing around 4-5 months. even if you try to turn him over, he resists with this incredible strenth and ends up on his belly. he actually would tuck his legs underneath his belly and his bottom would go in the air.
i don't think that you can resist nature on this one. they are just more comfortable this way. personally, i would be more concerned about the wedge getting in his way than i would be about him sleeping on his belly. they say to get rid of it when the child starts moving around. it can be more of a danger than a safety measure.

Hi A.,

I don't want to tell you what to do...but my son, now 3 years old, slept only on his belly. I let him because I felt his neck was strong enough to turn from left to right. He still sleeps on his belly. And I also slept on my belly when I was an infant...so I wouldn't worry so much. take care:)

Hi,

My baby who is now 9 months old never took to sleeping on his back. I was overly worried too, but when I saw how well he slept and moved all over the crib anyway my worries were soon be over. I would just let nature takes it course. You and baby will sleep better if they are comfy.

Good Luck!

you don't have to worry about her sleeping on her belly! if she rolls over on her own, then she has the ability to move back over if she isn't comfy. just keep blankets away from her upper body. she will be fine! my oldest son did great on his belly! we actually started him on his belly around 2 months, and it helped so much! my youngest rather sleep on his side, but again, we left them decide on their own. babies know what they like, even at a young age!!! take care!!!

I don't think that it is necessary for her to be turned back over to her back after she has turned to her stomach. As long as she can turn her head to the side and you don't have too much in her crib, I think she will be fine.

SAHM of three kids ages 8, 3 and 16 months.