Sleeping on her tummy

Jennifer - posted on 11/27/2009

The information my doctor gives me for my 7 month old says that if they are turning over in their sleep to not really worry about it too much because by that time the risk of SIDS had decreased quite a bit.I'm not saying you shouldnt still keep an eye on them because my daughter does the same thing in her sleep and it creeps me out at times because one of my friends lost her son to SIDS and it scares me because I just cant imagine how hard she has had it.

Sudha - posted on 11/27/2009

Hi There, my little one is 33 weeks now. she has always slept in her tummy. since birth, my husbands aunt is a midwife and she reassured me that some babies sleep like that and its fine,infact her daughter slept like that too. we just have to make sure that their nose isnt completely blocked. my baby has got out of that now because she wakes up,sits and cries and turns around inher sleep. i wouldnt worry but keep an eye aon her. how old is your baby?

Susie - posted on 11/26/2009

My 7 month old hated sleeping on her back from day 1 so we tried her side and she slept that way for about a month until one day she was having tummy time on the floor and she fell asleep there for 3hrs it was like she was having the best sleep she possibly could have, so i tried it in her cot, she had always had strong neck muscles as a newborn we didnt have to hold her head much at all, so when i put her down i knew that she could lift her head well if need be, She has just got to the stage where she is getting over sleeping on her tummy and sometimes i go in and she is asleep on her back, so she knows what position suits her best!!!

Kelly - posted on 11/23/2009

I've always heard if they are old enough to roll over then they are fine. I wouldn't worry too much.

Emily - posted on 11/21/2009

my son always sleeps on his belly..on the odd occasion youd see him on his back or side..he does laps of his cot at night but dont disturb a sleeping baby..natural reflexes should prevent any choking etc

Dominique - posted on 11/13/2009

my son will be 7 months on the 23 of nov, and he has been sleeping on his belly since he was about 2 weeks old. He wasn't sleeping good on his back so i tried it and he was JUST FINE!!!! IM a firm believer there is no one single cause for sids, they say putting them on there back will reduce it well when we were born they said put us on our bellies and it will change in another 10 years or so im sure!!! Just go with your gut feeling. Thats what i did, i know whats best for MY baby no one else does!! good luck

Brianne - posted on 11/10/2009

Whats so interesting is that when I was a baby you were told to put babies on their tummies :) She should be ok... My cousins daughter couldn't sleep on her back due to severe acid reflux..she would choke... so she slept on her tummy...My cousin found a monitor that went under the mattress and if baby stopped breathing it would alarm and wake up the parents...So I guess if you wanted complete peace of mind about her sleeping on her tummy you could look for one of those.... Just a tought
Blessings

Rose - posted on 10/27/2009

hi there.. my 6mth old girl also turns and ends up on her tum.. i reckon this is fine.. after this age there is very little risk of SIDS... as long as she isnt wrapped anymore and cant get caught up in materials to choke on she will be fine.. best to put in a sleeping bag and pop her in bed and let her get in any pozzie that helps her AND you sleep ;)

Janelle - posted on 10/18/2009

My daughter is 5 1/2 months old and she has slept on her belly since day one and she is fine. People tell you not to put them on their bellies because they could die, but my daughter wouldnt sleep unless she was on her stomach. I would say as long as she cant sufficate herself with anything like pilllows or blankets she should be ok. Make sure she doesnt shove her face into the mattress, but babies are smart if they cant breath they will move until they can. I hope this helps. Good Luck :)

Ashleigh - posted on 10/18/2009

iv herd but dont qute me if they can role over and things on ther own you shouldnt worry but dont quote me on this but if you get concerned ask your health visitor or who ever ok : D

Melanie - posted on 10/18/2009

When I first replyed to this my daughter was not turning over in her sleep. She now is and yes I do turn her over. I can't leave her on her tummy if anything happened whilst on her tummy I would never be able to forgive myself knowing that if I had turned her over it may not have happened. It may have happened anyway but still, I just can't leave her.
I think a few misconceptions about SIDS need to be cleared up. A baby is at their greatest risk between 1 month and 6 months (hence why a doc or nurse may place a new born baby on thier belly whilst still in hospital, also a baby is closely monitored in hospital) At 6 months the risk does back off a bit but only a little. Bottom line - it can happen at any age. My mother knows a mum who lost her 2yr old to SIDS. SIDS does not mainly occur in babies with undetected preexisting conditions. If a baby dies of an undetected preexisting conditions then it gets picked up in an autopsy and that is then the cause of death. For a baby to die of SIDS there is no cause of death.
Since telling people to put baby on its back the death rate for SIDS in Australia droped from 400 a year to 80 a year. I think thats proof enough that it is not just a passing trend. That it really is safer to sleep baby on thier back.
I think it has alot to do with wether or not you have had an experience with SIDS as to how you feel about letting a baby sleep on thier back. My mother lost her son at 6wks old. I've seen what it dose to a family to loose a child and I will do whatever it takes reduse the risk of that happening. Every mum just tries to do the best they can and do the best for thier baby. I really wish I could stop being so paranoid but I don't think I will be able to untill my little girl is much older.
Good luck to you all x

Shannon - posted on 10/17/2009

My daughter does the same thing, she's stronger than my son at this age and has been a tumble weed for a couple months. I used to literally spend all night turning her around. My niece died of SIDS at 10 months old and she was very healthy prior to that, so I am very paranoid. But, the bottom line is we simply cannot spend the next 6 to 12 months running in her room all night turning her over. So, now I put her down on her back and if she flips, she flips. As moms you'll know what to do and when it's right. If someone had told me a month ago to stop going in and turning her over I would have said no way. Do what makes you comfortable, every child and situation is different.

Joanie - posted on 10/12/2009

Antonio always slept on his back, but now that he can roll over to his tummy, that's how he sleeps. As long as she is good at picking her head up, I wouldn't think it's a problem. I always check on him after he is asleep just to make sure that everything is ok.

Tomekia Joy - posted on 10/10/2009

they say that your baby will eventually find their most comfy position. My daughter has never slept on her back, we found when she is on her tummy she will sleep better/ on her back she kept waking up every time we put her in her bed. So every child is different.

Danielle - posted on 10/10/2009

My first born hated sleeping on her back, and at a really young age (like 4wx old) her child health nurse said it was fine to have her on her side to sleep - that quickly developed into tummy sleeping. She is 4 years old and still prefers to sleep on her tummy... it's her own personal comfort - babies are people too.

If you're happy to constantly check up on her and maybe sleep her in those wearable "sleeping bags" that's probably safer than blankets?

Victoria - posted on 10/09/2009

This question was recently posted on the message board for my local playgroup. Once they are old enough to roll over on their own, and are comfortable on their tummies it's OK. The risk of SIDS is greatly reduced even as young as 3 months old. But if you're still concerned, call your pediatrician or get one of those crib wedge things that prevent the baby from rolling over. But bottom line. Go with your gut! Do what you feel is right.

Jennifer - posted on 10/09/2009

mine just started this whole rolling over thing and it has been freaking me out. yall have been helpful to me!

Sarah - posted on 10/09/2009

my oldest wouldnt sleep more then 15 minutes when i brought her home from the hospital. this went on for a long long month. then my friend put her on her tummy and she finally went to sleep. she was a very gassie baby and this helped her tummy. i had talked to older friends and parents of friends bout this and one told me that with her 4 kids each one she was told to put them on the back then on tummy and it kept goin back n forth. talked with the doctor and came to the conclusion that the barriers that u can put into the cribb help to compromise with this situation by putting them on the side to sleep. had no problems. Always ask the dr for thier opinion.

Deeanna - posted on 10/09/2009

my daughter had alot of stomache problems when she was born and now she will only sleep on her belly. she has been this way since she came home. so just make sure that she isnt face down and that she can breathe she will be just fine. hope this helps

Kelsey - posted on 09/27/2009

My son will only sleep on his stomach. He has been since he was 5 weeks old. My doctor said that as long as he has head control, you are all set. If your baby prefers to be on her stomach, she is going to roll that way anyhow. Do what works for you. SIDS is very scary and the doctors at the hospital do a great job trying to scare the crap out of you... I think that choking on vomit being on their backs is just as bad.

Brittany - posted on 09/26/2009

Honestly, babies have survived sleeping on their backs and tummies for hundreds of years. My son would not sleep on his back for the first three months of life. He was all about the tummy and sides during his naps and at night I would try to slip him onto his back since I was going to sleep and he'd either wake up or maneuver himself back how he wanted to be. I think it's a personally choice and hospitals and doctors are required to say one thing. I asked my ped who was in her early fifties if she let her kids and grandkids sleep on their tummies and backs and she told me as a mom yes as a ped she cannot give me any answer other than to not place them in those positions.

Erin - posted on 09/22/2009

my daughter has been sleeping on her stomach since 2 1/2 months she wont stay asleep on her back

Nadine - posted on 09/21/2009

My daughter will only sleep on her stomach if shes on her back she will scream. I was told though if they are old enough to role over and turn their heads the it was ok because they could move their face away if their nose gets blocked.

Kendra - posted on 09/18/2009

My twins have been sleeping on their stomachs since they were 3 months. That was the only way to get them to sleep longer than 2 hours at a time at night. They love being on their stomachs. I haven't had any problems. Let her sleep on her stomach.

Amy - posted on 09/15/2009

If she was born in April - then she should be about 5 months old and have good head control. My baby boy has slept on his tummy from 1 week old, since he had terrible colic and reflux. If she's comfortable, leave her, she obviously is fine that way! :o) And I know it's hard to relax sometimes, but don't worry so much, she's obviously strong and has the ability to lift her head..... she'll be just fine. :o)

Brandie - posted on 09/14/2009

My doc said that it's okay for them to sleep on their belly as long as they roll over that way. So as long as your baby's rolling over she should be fine.

Francesca - posted on 09/14/2009

My son has slept on his belly since I brought him home from the hospital. He just slept so much better that way. At their age now, they roll over so much that there isn't much you can do. You don't want to wake her once she's asleep either, so I think she's just fine. My pediatrician said that once they start rolling over on their own that they will just keep doing it regardless of how many times you get up and flip them back over. Save your energy!!

Kathryn - posted on 09/12/2009

I have had that if they can turn onto there tummy and roll back onto there back by themselves it is ok to let them sleep on there tummy.

Shanti - posted on 09/12/2009

My son does the same thing... I think once they roll over and are strong enough to do that while they are sleeping, it should be OK. Especially if they have good head control. The risk of SIDS goes down A LOT once they are 6 months but if your child is developmentally more advanced it's not really the actual date that matters. I would be careful of stuffed toys or small pillows in the bed and making sure the mattress isnt too soft... Otherwise, if she's comfortable, I think its OK.

Melissa - posted on 09/12/2009

it is apparently really bad to have them on there tummy. i brought a positioner to make sure my daughter cant roll in her sleep.

Brittany - posted on 09/11/2009

My pediatrician said when a baby can roll themselves onto their tummy on their own, there is no reason to roll them back over and interrupt their sleep and chance waking them up. I feel as long as they have good head control there isnt anything to worry about. to be honest my son sleeps so good on his tummy and has been sleeping that way since he was around 2 months old. he moves his head himself when he's uncomfortable or rolls himself over if he'd rather lay the other way.

Sarah - posted on 09/11/2009

Also...how did you sleep? I bet every one of us slept on our stomachs. It seems that SIDS usually (not always) happens in babies with undetected preexisting conditions and of course, no one REALLY knows the cause. Still, you have to do what YOU feel most comfortable with.

Ajia - posted on 09/11/2009

I've put my dauter to bed on her tummy since she was 2 1/2 mo. She has severe reflux and the risk of her vomiting and aspirating was greater than the risk of SIDS. Now that she can roll over, she sleeps however she is most comfortable - she goes from front to back to front all night long.

Sarah - posted on 09/10/2009

The nurse at the hospital when I had my second told me that they often put the babies in the nursery on their stomachs to help them sleep. All 3 of my kids have been on their stomachs from day 2 or 3. No problems. It helped them not to choke on spit up too.

Amanda - posted on 09/10/2009

i have been putting my daughter on her tummy for about 4 months! and we have never had a problem, she has been sleeping a lot better since! as long as there is nothing in her face and she can move she is fine! but its still personal choice.
my daughter has just gone 5 months, i hope that helps

Samantha - posted on 09/08/2009

If a baby can roll onto his/her tummy thats where he/she is comfortable sleeping, just let him/her be. As long as /shehe can pick his/her head up to turn it from side to side he/she will be fine, if he/she is face down and can't breath he/she will turn his/her head to the side. However that being said, MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO BLANKETS, PILLOWS, OR STUFFED ANIMALS IN THE BED. Now that he/she can roll over they are more likely to suffocate due to entanglement. Dress your kid appropriate to the room temperature so they are not too cold or overheating. SIDS is not out of the question, but you dont need to worry about the sleeping on the belly thing anymore.

Kirsty - posted on 09/08/2009

Hi Charlette,
My 4.5 mth old will only sleep on his tummy, if he is on his back he just keeps screaming (he has only just in the last week been able to sleep sitting upright in the pram). Yes, advice is not to, and yes maybe the risks increase, however you just have to decide for yourself if you are willing to live with the risks. Do what suits your baby, you cant run in every 5 minutes to turn them over!
Good luck

Jocelyn - posted on 09/08/2009

My son does the same thing. I lay him down and he instantly gets on his belly. Since I've stopped trying to get him on his back, he falls asleep almost immediately and sleeps so much better! He always has his head to the side usually sucking on his fingers with his tiny butt up in the air, it's the most adorable thing ever! I wouldn't wake her. As long as she has good head control and can move it around I think she's fine. If you're really worried, ask your doctor about it but I really think it's fine!

Charlette - posted on 09/08/2009

Dorothy is four months old. Nearly five actually.

Tawni - posted on 09/07/2009

Hi Charlette! My son was in intensive care for 4 days right after he was born and the nurse there told us that when Lacoda was old enough to roll over to not worry about rolling him back over to his back. He has been able to roll over since he was 2 1/2 months and we haven't had any problems with it at all. Hope this was helpful!

Melanie - posted on 09/07/2009

Thats a really tough one! How old is Dorothy (love the name by the way) the risk of SIDS backs off a bit by 6mths. I really worry about that too as my daughter rolls on her belly but thank god she has not done it at night yet. As far as choking if she vomits if she has good head control she should be able to lift her head up to get herself away from it and should be ok. My brother died of SIDS so its always on my mind I think if it was me i would probably put her back on her back and see if she wakes up or not by doing it.



Good luck!