Advice on Putting Infants on Their Back vs Side for Sleep

Hi L.

I have a 4 month old and it doesn't really make a difference my daughter loves to sleep on her side and her stomach when i can get her to they may not like it at first but it is actually good for them that way if they spit up in their sleep they don't choke on it. thats why i did it and my daughter is just fine. Good Luck!!

If you want him to sleep on his back just tell her you cannot be affraid of you babysitter. Both my children slept on their tummy once they could lift their heads up around 2 1/2 months. Before they slept on their tummies they would sleep in a wedge and sometimes on their side I cannot imagine that would hurt them at all.

I am also a registered childcare provider. We have to have SIDS training every year. Yes, we are suppose to put them on their backs. If they turn over on there own there is not a whole lot you can do about it. Make sure there is no blankets, bumper pad, or stuffed animals or pillows in the bed with him. These can all be smothering to an ifant.
Lonie

I had my two lil' ones sleep on their sides and I altered sides each time. Sometimes they were on their backs, but I did not want to flatten their heads so I did all three....never an issue. I made sure they had the padded mat to make sure they could not roll over so they slept soundly.

I have a 3 month old and the hospital and her doctor told me it was ok to let her sleep on her back or side. I would not worry about it he is just taking naps during the day like that and you can put him on his back at night. But if you are really worried let her know that you would rather him sleep on his back she should listen to you and respect you because you are his mother.

If she's registered or licensed she has to put them on their backs to sleep by law. If she is reported, she will be investigated and written up. Just tell her that you always want your son put on his back to sleep, and that if he rolls to his side, she doesn't have to turn him back to his back, but just not to ever let him sleep on his tummy. Tell her that it is now a state requirement if she doesn't know this already (which she SHOULD).

You are paying her for her services, so she needs to abide by your preferences. You can tell her that while you appreciate her experience, as a first time mom it would really set your mind to ease if she puts him on his back. Play up your nervous-ness to your advantage. If you want to, bring her the materials that you've read. It bothers me when people with that much experience disregard new findings. Sure - as little at 13 years ago, my nephew slept on his side because that was the 'safe' way. Now they say it's the backs that are safer -it's not like you're asking her to do something unreasonable. 30 years ago there weren't back seat belts, either, but I'll bet you she wouldn't argue that now.

hey. I hope tis will help you. I am a mother of 3 wonderful little girls. All of my girls when they were infants well, I put tem on there backs and they slept fine. Now that my baby is 9 months old she sleeps on her tummy. I hope it works out for you hun. Congrats on the baby.... Gl to you as well...

Honestly, i dont think i matters, when my son was born almost 4 years ago, i was told on his side, but he would roll over to his tummy (no kidding he was doing this the day he was born), the nurse at the hospital said if that is the way he is comfy then let him be, just make sure his head is turned to the side and no blankets near his face. When my other son was born almost 2 yrs ago they told me the same thing which ever way he was comfy. My friend just had her baby 2 days ago and the nurses at the hospital were putting him on his side. The positions with sids change every few years (actually i dont think they really know but that is just my opinion.) Im not sure what the rule is on day care providers (my kiddos have never been) but you just have to remember this is YOUR baby not hers (30 yrs experience or not), and remember alot of things they did back then we are told now by pedis not to do, i think its just up to the parent and what makes you comfortable, if you want him to sleep on his back, then just politly tell her i would perfer it if he sleeps on his back, im sure she would understand and not take it harshly, and if she does then you might want to find someone else if she will take that (as such a small request) personally, then when he gets older (if he is still going then) she will probably be the same, and those things might be more important to you then this is. Sorry if i offended you or anyone else this is just my own opinion. Hope this helps ya.

As long as your son is not sleeping on his tummy he is safe. When the nurse would bring my son to me at the hospital he was always laying on his side positioned w/a receiving blanket or a positioner.

They also say using a paci lessens the risks of SIDS and once they start rolling over and lay on their tummy's there is nothing you can do and by that time the chances are slim.

Good Luck
M.

It's a personal preference. But the law does says if she is licenced she has to put them on their backs.
That said, my son slept best on his stomach. In fact, at three weeks, he was on his tummy and sleeping for hours. They don't really know what CAUSES SIDS and though guidelines should be followed, they change periodically.
I'm skeptical... lol
Honestly if he sleeps better on his side, why not?This is a hot topic though, so I'll not say more.

When my son was born 14 months ago, the rule was to put babies on their back - which it still is. When my sister-in-law's youngest was born 2.5 years ago, the rule was to put babies on their side to sleep. I think that for your own sanity and the safety of your baby, you should ask that your child care provider put your baby to sleep on his back. Remember, while you might not want to offend her, it is your son and she is working for you. And if something were to happen, not even 30 years of experience will protect her when she should have been doing as you requested all along. Good luck and remember, your are your son's mother. You will always know what is best for your baby because you are the parent!

My daughter is now 2y.o; however, from the time she was born and until she started moving all around, she slept on her side, and that was the only way she would fall asleep unattended. She also loved to be swaddled and placed on her side.

I wouldn't worry about it. Really. I think back or side would be ok.

My best...

I remember reading and learning it's safe to put them on their sides and backs. As long as he's not on his tummy, he should be fine.
I'm not sure if you use pacifiers with him or not but there was a new study out that found that using a pacifier also helps reduce the risk of SIDS. The paci helps to prevent the baby from falling into the deep sleep that can result in SIDS.
SIDS is just SO scary. I thought about it night and day with mine when they were infants. You just hear so much about it and it really freaks you out.

For some reason my hospital always had my kiddos all bundled up laying on their sides when they'd bring them to me.
But again, either way is fine as long as he's not on his tummy.
Good luck as a new Mommy!
~Nattalie~