Sleeping on Tummy - Saint Paul,MN

My doctor said when they can do it by themselves it is fine to let them but you should still lay them down on their backs. The idea is that if they can roll over on their own they will be able to move themselves if they need to get out of trouble.

Hi J.....I think once they can turn themselves over they are fine. I know everything says BACK TO SLEEP, but once you put them down, if they turn over, what are you supposed to do? You couldn't possibly run in all night and turm them back over....well, I suppose you could, but you would be exhausted!! As long as there are no bumpers on, blankets in, stuffed animals that could pose a suffocation danger I wouldn't be too worried! My oldest son started sleeping on his stomach at 4 mo (because he could turn himself over and LOVED sleeping on his stomach) and our daughter (9 mo now) started sleeping on her stomach at about 6 months. Our middle guy NEVER slept on his stomach and still doesn't to this day (he is almost 4.) I think they sleep so much better on their stomachs....so here is to happy nights of sleep to all of you :)
C.

All three of my children slept on there tummies from the get go. When my first daughter was born they were to sleep on their sides according to everyone. Well she did not sleep good that way. The first night after bringing her home when I put her on her tummy to sleep she slept more sound and for longer periods of time. She started sleeping all night fairly early. OF course I started the tummy sleeping at nap time during the day the first time just to see how she did and I could keep an eye on her. At night she had a very firm mattress with no pillows or bulky blankets etc. She had a thin receiving blanket that we used (She was hot blooded anyway) After having a great tummy experience with both of my girls when my son was born 4 years ago it was a no brainer that we would put him on his tummy. We did and he slept awesome. putty your

Good luck S.

Once your little one is able to turn over by themselves I don't see why it's bad to let them go ahead and sleep on their tummies... I think each mommy can feel what is best for their baby and should go with those instincts... :)

That said- to the poster who said: "I trust more of what the grandparents have to say about babies then all the new findings by the doctors. We are all alive so they must have done something right, Right!?" I have to question this logic... The 'new findings by the doctors' are because of all the babies who are not alive to tell about it. Therefore all of us who are still here are the lucky ones. My sister in law has been to 5 funerals for babies over the past few years because of things such as SIDS, so yeah, we pretty much stick to the 'new findings' because they are based on extensive research, not just one lucky families opinion...

I have to agree with the previous posts, as long as she is able to lift her head and turn on her own there is no reason to worry. My son was the same way when he was about 7 months and has slept on his tummy ever since. Make sure there are no blankets or bumpers--the thin mesh bumpers are fine. I could also recommend that you maybe put a fan in her room....pointed away from her, on low. It seemed to help my little ones and the air movement is extremely helpful for easier breathing.

As long as she can roll over on her own then she will be ok sleeping on her belly. Even though it's only sometimes she rolls from her belly to her back, she is able to hold herself up so she will be just fine. All of mine were about that age when they prefered their bellies to thier back and they still do!

I agree with all the postings, ym dd loves to be on her belly as someone else said it is like the snuggle, think how they fall asleep on you...? Mine usually does on my chest and she isn't on her back.

I know moms said no bumpers, what about the breathable ones, I have one and I feel comfortable with it in there, it is tight and has little holes so if she were to get next to it, she could still breathe. What do you think?

I would be fine with her sleeping on her tummy. If she holds her head up well and rolls over on her own she should be fine.

I'd be more worried about blankets and stuff in the crib than sleeping on their tummy when they have the ability to roll over and stuff. I'd say she's fine.

i always put my son to bed on his back and once he could roll (2-3 months) he ALWAYS slept on his tummy. I have never found him sleeping on his back he is always sleeping on his tummy. I would say if she can get there on her own or out of that position on her own then let her sleep that way, i know it is scary my son doesn't turn his head to the side he sleeps face down in the mattress :)

My little one has always slept better on his tummy. Which was frustrating, to say the least. More frustrating as when my oldest was little (22 years ago) I was told to put him on his stomach, not his back. Needless to say the studies regarding this subject are guesswork and based on correlation, not causation or understanding of what triggers SIDS.

The recommendation is that they not sleep on their belly until they can roll themselves over - because at that point you can't do anything about it anyway.

The suggestion to use a fan is excellent. Recent studies have shown that increasing the air flow in the baby's room is related to a decreased incidence of SIDS.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/589127
http://www.parentingsquad.com/using-a-fan-could-lower-sid...

As she is rolling and holding her head up I would worry less. You are going to worry - for the rest of her life - so you won't stop worrying, but the rate of SIDS decreases substantially around 6 months, the average age when babies are rolling both ways easily.

Keep the crib clear of blankets, etc.. as always and make sure the crib sheet is tight-fitting and try not to worry too much.

We let our daughter start sleeping on her tummy around 4-5 months old and that is when she really started to sleep well. I would still keep bumper pads, blankets, stuffed animals out of her crib and do all the other things to prevent SIDS like not smoking around her, etc. Good luck and (try) not to worry! I really think she'll be fine.

Please don't tell my hospital nurses, but I let all 10 of my babies sleep on their tummies any time they wanted (which was most of the time) from the very beginning. As for the whole SIDS scare, I find Dr. Bill Sears' information to be much more reliable. He actually uses scientific studies, common sense, etc... instead of paranoia. He has written an entire book on the subject and I think he is better qualified to advise on SIDS prevention. I don't remember if he says anything about them sleeping on their tummies, but he does place a lot more emphasis on things I was never told in the hospital. Check him out, rest easy, and enjoy that baby.

as long as she is turning by herself, the risks are lower. :D trust your gut - you can always turn her back onto her back once shes asleep if you are worried about her - like when you are going to bed or something. making sure to have a blanket on her tummy to keep it from getting cold and waking her might help too! :D

As so as they can roll on there tummy is ok for them to sleep on the tummy. If I remeber correctly you just have to worry about SIDS in the first four month. So it should be ok.

As soon as she is lifting her head, and being able to at least roll from tummy to side, it's ok. If she's waking in the night, and able to comfort herself back to sleep, she may roll over and 'play' a bit - are you going to get up every hour or so to check that she's still on her back and to roll her over if she isn't? I know I wouldn't. But maybe you get a flashlight with a low light bulb, and check on her the bit that you're up and she's in bed. My oldest had a hard time sleeping with a nightlight, and we would check in on him with a red light flashlight, because white light was too bright for him. Rest in peace (KWIM ;))

Hi J.

I always let mine sleep on their tummy when they could roll and hold their heads up . Just make sure there is not too many blankets in her crib for her to get rolled up in .

I agree with all the other moms. My son has never slept on his back. This is my third child and they all sleep the same. Don't worry about this. I trust more of what the grandparents have to say about babies then all the new findings by the doctors. We are all alive so they must have done something right, Right!? Good Luck, Parenting has lots of stages just go with your gut you know best for your child.

I would not worry too much about it if she is able to roll over on her own. All of my children have always prefferred sleeping on their bellies, and they are all happy, healthy children. For most babies, it makes them feel more secure, like they are snuggling up on someone.

I do realize we are currently taught to have them sleep on their backs, but 20 years ago, THAT was the horrible thing to do (they could spit up and choke) now, we are told they could suffocate if on their bellies (I reassure you, not once have I ever heard of this being the REAL reason a baby died) Who knows, maybe anothe 10 years and it will be back to putting them on their bellies.

I think it is more important to reduce the amount of blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and other items in their crib, and to let them sleep however they are content to sleep. Dress them in warm pajamas if it is cool in their room. good luck!

Your daughter is fine, and sounds like she is exceptionally strong at this age. She is clearing her airway fine to be sleeping in her stomach. My now 10 month old daughter started sleeping on her tummy at about 4 or 5 months I think. A couple times I tried turning her over to her back but that just woke her up and upset. My pedatrician said she should be fine.

J.,

Once they can roll, they are fine. I think mine were about 4-5 months old when they did it. With my first, I was so paranoid, but the Pediatrician said if they can roll, you can't control what they do and they can kind of handle things in there if they get stuck or will let you know to come and get them. The threat of SIDS has already dropped; it's mostly for the little ones. She should be just fine.

S.