how do you feel about tummy sleeping?? My 1 month old will ONLY sleep on her tummy.

Delilah - posted on 12/18/2012

My son just turned one month today I've been having problems with him sleeping in his play pen the second week after we came home from the hospital I tried everything the only thing that worked was him sleeping with me on his side or back I really don't get much sleep knowing he's sleeping with me but I do it because he won't sleep in his bed so today I found him to be a bit more fussy than he normally is so I put him in his bassinet with a lil pillow to prompt him up a lil an put him on his tummy an he's sleeping like a angel I never seen him sleep so peaceful but yes I'm kind of jumpy knowin he's on his tummy even though I'm up keeping a close eye on him I so wish I could do this at night but so afraid to do so just knowing about SIDS this is my first born an I'd rather be safe than sorry but at the same time want my son to be comfy sleeping must I add yes for a 1month old he turnes an move his head to be so young but I'm still jumpy any advice

Rachel - posted on 11/01/2012

I say, let them sleep the way they're most comfortable.

If they say they don't know what causes SIDS how can they be so sure the way they sleep has anything to do with it?

I always let my boys sleep the way they were most comfortable which happened to be, on their bellies. They were all fine.

Ivori - posted on 10/29/2012

if your watching her then it should be safe

Hope - posted on 04/07/2011

You could mention it to her pediatrician, if there maybe an underlying problem besides your baby's preference of sleep position. My son had reflux at that age, so his bassinette mattress was slightly elevated at the top, which helped him sleep, but he also had a swaddle me to help him feel secure. We lay our son on his back to put him to sleep in his crib, and he now rolls over and sleeps on his tummy. He started lying on his tummy at about 6 months or so and still does it at 10 months. He sleeps on a firm mattress in a sleeper-sack. :)

Ellen - posted on 12/22/2009

It's very hard for me to read all these responses and even respond myself. My 3 week old passed away from SIDS on November 20th of this year. She was perfectly healthy and we did NOT lay her on her tummy, but, sleeping with your baby and tummy sleeping raise the risk SIDS. Ever since learning about SIDS I have been very paranoid. I had nothing in the crib with her, she was flat on her back and I did not sleep with her ever, some of the main causes of SIDS. My advice to you, stop. Lay her on her back and let her cry herself to sleep, I know it sounds mean but it will help. I had some of the same issues with my first. She was rolling early and liked to sleep on her tummy. After a couple of days of making sure she was on her back, even if it meant waking her up, she slept fine on her back. I know all babys aren't the same, but I highly recommend NO tummy sleeping and NOT sleeping with your baby. Trust me, you don't want to have to go through what I have gone through. It's the hardest thing in the world to bury your baby....

Cheryl - posted on 12/22/2009

I would have to agree with the individual that mentioned having siblings that died of SIDS and one did not sleep on their tummy and still died of SIDS. The truth is, they don't really know what truly causes, SIDS. I mean there are children that clearly did not tummy sleep and have still died of SIDS. One study states, that having a fan decreases the risk of SIDS while another says that CO-sleeping with your baby INCREASES the risk of your infant dying of SIDS, the truth is that noone truly knows what causes SIDS. As some have said you need to just watch your childs cues, see what's better for them.

Katrina - posted on 12/21/2009

I am a first time mom. I have read the information they gave me at the hospital when it comes to SIDS. My fiance has 2 children from another relationship. Having said that, I was completely and utterly oppsed to letting ym daughter sleep on her tummy. I have learned over the last 9 1/2 weeks since her birth, that she will let you know what's comefortable for her. There are ngihts she sleep on her back without fussing. Other nigths she wants her tummy and even her side. In her own way, she lets me know what she wants. She is in her bassinett beside me and since she is now sleeping through the night fairly well, I wake up every so often and check on her. She is doing well. We have a clock on the wall above her bassinett. In the mornings, after her father leaves, she sleeps in the bed with me for 2-3 hours. Every child and mother is different. Just look for cues your baby is giving and let her tell you how she's comfortable. Oh and just for the record, I was a tummy baby as was my younger borther and we're 24 and 21 and we turned out just fine.

Marlissa - posted on 12/20/2009

Ok, I can reply to this as a sibling to 2 babies dying from sids. My mother had her first daughter and laid her on her back because at the time that is what was recommanded, and she ended up dying then my mom had my sister brother and me and we all slept on our tummys and we are all just fine, then my mom had another daughter after me and she slept on her tummy and she died, so there is no proof what cause sids. I personnally have let kids choose how they sleep, and if you have a colicy baby the best position is the tummy my baby now is on her tummy. But the thing that helps me sleep better is my 3 kids had learned to roll from their tummys to their back by the time they were 2 weeks. But some kids can not sleep on their backs, if i was to put lyssa on her back she would stay awake all night, i have tried. so i saw let the baby sleep how they feel comfortable

Lise - posted on 12/18/2009

I only let her sleep on her tummy if she's on my chest or if I'm awake and can watch her. If she's on my chest, she sleeps with her head between my boobs and can't be smothered - there's quite a ditch there right now... :) Let her be on her side! I think it's the best way.

Nyaradzoyashe - posted on 12/13/2009

My son is 6weeks old now and he will only sleep on his tummy otherwise he wakes up after a few minutes and he gets so irritable, so i let him sllep on his tummy. at first i was so afraid, i had also been told not to leave him on his tummy for too long as it may cause chest pains. i would constantly check on him but i am becoming more and more comfortable now, as he even raises his head and turns himself. Observe your baby and you will get the cue from her, every baby is different, my first would not sleep on his tummy. Enjoy your baby!

Hope - posted on 12/13/2009

I was putting my 5 week old son on his tummy alot. 30 Min after feeding I put him on his tummy right beside me in bed during the day while I watched him..I saw him personally choke and it was the scariest thing I have EVER seen in my life!!! He couldn't breathe for a few seconds..so I wouldn't do it when you are not around..what if I put him in his crib like that and walked away? My baby boy wouldn't be here right now!! And their cries are more slient when they are on their tummies. I would try a swing or carseat like all the other Moms said...don't risk losing your precious child. Yeah things keep changing on what to do with your newborn..but some things need to be done, especially this one.

Danielle - posted on 12/12/2009

Go for it. Isaac sleeps on his tummy a LOT. He likes it better.

Think about this: Our mothers and grandmothers put their babies on their tummies because THEY were told that if they vomited they could choke and die.

I am a firm believer that SIDS is not something that can be prevented. I know that statement will get a lot of flack. Its like all those stupid rules about what you can eat when your pregnant.

Erin - posted on 12/12/2009

My daughter will only sleep on her tummy too! The ONLY way she will sleep on her back is if I rock her to sleep in my arms and then gently put her in her bassinette, and that doesnt last long so I have to flip her over.

Tracy - posted on 12/11/2009

Hi! My daughter was sleeping on her side but now on her tummy esp if she is colicky! It seems to soothe it and she screams if on her back!
I think they are not sure what causes sids but have few ideas.
As long as you and baby happy then I think all is well!
My son slept on his side and tummy and he was fine and he's 2 now and sleeps all sorts of ways - even on the floor! ;) x
Remember always! Mums know best!!!!

Jenna - posted on 12/11/2009

my daughter is a belly sleeper too. we have a motion sensor under her that detects everything down to her breathing.If there is no movement for 20 sec the alarm goes off. its the greatest! you can find them at babies r us or toys r us but they are like 80-100 dollars. i bet you can find cheaper online somewhere

Brittany - posted on 12/11/2009

When we first brought our son home, he slept with us. I warned my fiancee that it may happen if he refuses to sleep alone, he was against it so much, but now I'm the one trying to get him to put the baby in the crib for the night!!! lol



Anyway, he slept on my chest on his tummy for several weeks, needless to say, I didn't get good enough sleep because I never reached the actual deep sleep stage. I was comfortable enough to do this because I constantly was mommy's lil helper growing up and wanting to help with all 4 of my little siblings. I slept with them on me too under my parents watch.



After awhile of him sleeping on my chest, I began to roll over to my side and continue to hold him close so that I was comfortable and he was still happily sleeping. He now sleeps in his crib propped up on his back in the boppy pillow. Only stays with us if he's EXTRA fussy with a tummy ache or something. :-)



Good luck, hope you can make your baby happy and get your sleep too!



If she continues to have a problem with being laid down completely on her back, try propping her up some like I do, if that doesn't work...maybe take her to the doctor, it could be that something is bothering her in that position if you can't EVER put her on her back.

Krysta - posted on 12/10/2009

thanks everyone!! I did give in and let her start sleeping on her tummy and she is in her bassinet right next to our bed so im not worried! and she sleeps soooooo much better now and my hubby and i do too!

Toni - posted on 12/08/2009

my 7 week old son will also only sleep on his tummy and always has!! sorry to all the other mothers out there but i think it is crap to disturb your childs sleep, if they are comftorble and can breathe fine and can lift their head while they sleep then what is the problem.. my son would not settle in the hospital when i had him and this is how the midwives layed him ON HIS TUMMY!! if your child is going to die from cot death their is nothing you can do about it, children that sleep on their backs also die from sids. More children actually die from sleeping in beds with parents and getting suffocated than from sids, so honestly if your baby sleeps soundly on their tummy let them be! i have a breathable matress in my bassinet and can sleep soundly at night knowing my son is fine. And it cant be that bad because he is only nearly 7 weeks onld and already sleeps from 9pm till 6am every night! hope i could help, cheers!

Luschka - posted on 12/08/2009

Couldn't agree more Brandy. 'They' change the 'rules' so often, it makes no sense. As I've said somewhere else, our antenatal midwife told us there'd been a drastic rise in colic since 'they' said no tummy sleeping.

Brandy - posted on 12/08/2009

I'm probably not as concerned as most parents about tummy sleeping because back when I was a baby they told my mom to only have me sleep on my tummy because they said the risk of SIDS was higher because babies would choke to death on their own spit up. They really have no idea what causes SIDS. they just went in and studied the invironments of babies who have died of SIDS and wondered what they could change to try and reduce the risk. I'm not sure if it even matters how your baby sleeps or if they are just trying to see if it helps.

Luschka - posted on 12/08/2009

Don't worry - didn't think it was aimed at me.... just putting in my two cents! :o)

Claire - posted on 12/08/2009

oh no no I didnt meant offend anyone :)

I have friends who co-sleep with their wee ones. Im just sayin I personally would be scared to. I would be scared that I fell asleep and something happened and I didnt realise. So co-sleeping is just not for me. But again if it works for others then thats fair enough.
♥

Luschka - posted on 12/08/2009

My daughter only sleeps on her tummy, but she is able to pick up and turn her head, so that helps. We cosleep too - depending on the research you choose to believe cosleeping is safer than leaving your baby in a crib. It also strengthens the bond between parents and baby http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...
really all depends on what research you want to believe, but for us it works. Babies who are carried rather than in a pram, and cosleep or at least in parents room, cry less than babies who are left alone too, and are apparently sick less often

Claire - posted on 12/08/2009

Hamish sleeps on his back :) I would be too scared to let him sleep on his tummy. My older 2 kids slept on their back too. I never co-slept with any of them either as I again would be too scared to. I do know of a family who lost their baby due to co-sleeping very tragic.

But this is not me condemning anyone who does. Its just me expressing my personal opinion. :)

♥

Ashlyn - posted on 12/07/2009

my darling baby boy (just turned 2mths a week ago) enjoys sleeping on his tummy too. but i only let him sleep on his tummy if he's lying on my chest. i never put him on his tummy alone or on the bed to let him sleep.

Nikki - posted on 12/07/2009

after a feed i move away but i don't sleep a lot anyway but i am very comfortable with the situation just while i am bf but as i say she will lay on her back if she is more upright but it is not possible to due that for her in my bed . i have swaddled her when she is unsettled and she has fallen asleep but as soon as she is on her back she will wake up

Rebecca - posted on 12/06/2009

I would say if she's is sleeping with you and you are keeping an eye on her then tummy sleeping os ok, otherwise it's always better to be safe than sorry and if you are unable to fully watch her sleeping, wait till she's in a good deep sleep and place her on her back no matter how hard you have t ofuss with her. After all, it's safer for her. Good luck.

Jillian - posted on 12/06/2009

and also... i learned that your mommy instinct can help you alot. there are times where my baby sleepin on his tummy is fine then sometimes i just dont feel comfortable or i cant fall asleep so i pick him up and put him in his carseat next to me.. the same with him sleepin with me.. so use your mommy instinct :) everything will work out for ya

Rachael - posted on 12/06/2009

They still don't definitively know what causes SIDS so the guidelines are precautions. The high risk babies are those who were premature or of low birth weight. I let my baby sleep on his belly as he was full term and a very big baby and has a really strong neck and he sleeps really well on his belly and is happy. I don't smoke, I ensure he is in a safe environment, I breastfeed him, I ensure he isn't overheated and he has lots of contact time - all factors to help reduce the risk of SIDS. They say that if you do as many of these as possible (and yes, the list does include not sleeping on their back) then your baby should be fine. You do what you have to do to stay sane... But each to their own! :)

Jillian - posted on 12/05/2009

my baby will not sleep in his crib unless on his belly/ so he sleeps in a bouncer or carseat beside my bed. he has tummy issues so he will not sleep on his back unless he is in my bed lol. which i do not have a big enough bed for us 3 to sleep in it.. so naps and such he sleeps with me on the couch...

Jaye - posted on 12/05/2009

My baby is 2mo old and she is a tummy sleeper also... when she lays on her back she sleeps for only 15-20 mins but on her tummy she sleeps for hours and is peaceful. She sleeps with me so I too have a close eye on her.. I feel comfortable with her laying on her tummy now but before i was concerned.

Katie - posted on 12/05/2009

Quoting Heather:

I sleep with my baby...and she is on her side nestled into my chest all night...or she rolls a bit on her tummy. I don't worry about it. I hear and feel her breathing. So long as your all happy and getting sleep, just relax about it. A healthy strong baby won't smother.

My God, be careful you do not smother her!!!!!!! How do you know she is breathing when you are fast asleep?? Be careful, bad things do happen. A mom just smothered her 4 month old on an airplane by falling asleep breastfeeding her.

To the OP-

Tummy sleeping is not good.

Do you tightly swaddle her? That may help her sleep on her back.

Katie - posted on 12/05/2009

Quoting Heather:

I sleep with my baby...and she is on her side nestled into my chest all night...or she rolls a bit on her tummy. I don't worry about it. I hear and feel her breathing. So long as your all happy and getting sleep, just relax about it. A healthy strong baby won't smother.

My God, be careful you do not smother her!!!!!!! How do you know she is breathing when you are fast asleep?? Be careful, bad things do happen. A mom just smothered her 4 month old on an airplane by falling asleep breastfeeding her.

To the OP-

Tummy sleeping is not good.

Do you tightly swaddle her? That may help her sleep on her back.

Nikki - posted on 12/05/2009

first of all it is up to the confidence of the mother i feel for those who have lost a child but none of my 3 children have been happy on their backs always on their sides and i have slept with my oldest child on my chest and if anything happens mothers instincts usually kick in unless u r under the influence. my youngest child sleeps with me while i am breastfeeding and when she has fallen asleep after a feed i would rather leave her than disturb her and because of the way she feeds she usually sleeps on her side and has sometimes rolled onto her front and i find she is more relxed. if i have to put her on her back she is usually happier being raised up a bit so she is not flat on her back. i hope this helps

Brittany - posted on 11/27/2009

my son sleeps on his tummy. he would spit up so bad at night his face would turn red and he would stop breathing so i decided that was enough. its fine as long as you know the sounds they make so you can be careful

Fiona - posted on 11/25/2009

My daughter seemed to prefer sleeping on her tummy from about 2 weeks old, so when I was awake during the day & sometimes at night I would have her on my chest - I just made sure I didn't fall asleep while she was there. I give Emylee lots of tummy time during the day (awake and asleep) and that seems to have helped with getting her to sleep on her back at night. I found that if she has wind she prefers to sleep on her tummy.

Hope you find a solution and get some sleep soon :)

Krysta - posted on 11/24/2009

thank you for the your opinions everyone!

Lula - posted on 11/23/2009

Aiden is my 5th child and I am one of my mom's 8 children, she always let us sleep on our stomach and my 5 I have let them decide for the most part. If they were to fussy one way I would try another way. It is something we all have to decide for ourselves. When my 16 yr old was the age her brother is now I tried doing everything as the doctor said, I was 19 almost 20 then and everything scared me, but then she rolled over really early and always wanted to be on her stomach even in sleep. I finally said to the doctor I was tired of being up all night just to try and keep her on her back and that I was going to let her sleep on her stomach seeing that is what she wanted. He warned against it, but it was the best thing for both of us, because we both started getting sleep. Good luck and I hope this helps

Taylor - posted on 11/22/2009

I would get the monitor that goes under the mattress and can tell if the baby isn't moving or breathing. I don't see an issue with it. I say this too because my son spit up one morning while lying on his back and choked on it and was having a hard time catching a good breath. We took him to the ER and as soon as we pulled up to the ER he finally caught his breath. It was scary so sometimes I do have a problem leaving him on his back. But he hasn't done that since, but it still scares me. I think that if you have the monitor or you are awake and watching her then it shouldn't be a problem. If you aren't comfortable with it try differnt thing and if it is the only way that she is comfortable and you are comfortable with it then go for it.

Andrea - posted on 11/22/2009

I want to cry. I'm sorry, but it is PROVEN that tummy sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. I have a friend whose child died of SIDS and trust me, the pain of watching what she went through was awful. The baby was sleeping during the day and my friend said she was checking on her every 2-5 minutes. It takes very little time for the baby to sufficate. The American Academy of Pediatrics and The March of Dimes say "Back to Sleep" ONLY. When my son wouldn't sleep on his back we let him sleep in the carseat. Just make sure baby is buckled if you do this. He would nap in his swing. I really hope you find a better alternative to tummy sleeping. The risk is just not worth it. Talk to the pediatrician for suggestions.

Cassie - posted on 11/21/2009

I have a 5 week old and he used to sleep on his back until he got colic, since then he will only sleep on his tummy soundly any other position he will wake within a halfhour screaming. I make sure his cot has nothing in it and his headis turn to the side. He can move his head really well side to side. I did watch him when he first started sleeping on his belly to make sure he was ok and since then thats how he sleeps..

Nina - posted on 11/21/2009

I think its ok as long as you are awake and monitoring her. I would let her sleep on her tummy at night

JoVonne - posted on 11/21/2009

if she is comfy on her tummy and u r watching her then let her sleep on her tummy.

Lisa - posted on 11/20/2009

My Son is 7 weeks and he sleeps really good on his tummy. I only put him on his tummy during the day when Iam around. But having trouble at night because he will not sleep on his back, he wakes up screaming after about 5 min. the only way I can get him to sleep at night is in his car seat next to are bed. I will be going back to work soon and would really like him to be sleeping in his crib (he is a loud sleeper) but the only way he will sleep is on his tummy or in his car seat. He has been having tummy problems and I think that's why he likes sleeping in his tummy or upright in his car seat???

Rebecca - posted on 11/18/2009

Quoting Maranda:

I see both sides to the sleeping issue...but I also think how my generation grew up sleeping on their bellies and there isn't a shortage of us...so as long as you know your baby is safe I don't seem the harm. I know I hate hearing my little girl cry.

Im sorry, but how rediculous....our generation were allowed to sleep on their tummys and the amount of cot deaths was significantly higher!  in 1971, when records of SIDS first started, there were 1,600 deaths a year. Since mothers have stopped putting babies on their tummys, its now down to 200+.

Having said this, I think there are ways to ensure she is safe and on her tummy.  Evidence has shown that if babies sleep on (or im sure against) the parent then they mimic the breathing and are less likely to stop breathing, there fore preventing cot death.

I wouldn't panic, but I would ensure your aware - make sure you know the dangers of co-sleeping when you have been drinking or smoking or over tired.

Also, for when she is sleeping alone, you can get baby monitors that sit under the baby and sound an alarm if they stop breathing, perhaps that could give you some peice of mind and allow your baby to stay on her tummy?

Good luck and keep up the good work, you sound like a lovely mummy x x

Altonya - posted on 11/17/2009

I have a 1 month old and I just recently started laying him on his back due to having colic. My baby can move his head really good from left to right and that's what made me confortable with puting him on his back. I think it is nothing wrong with tummy sleeping as long as your baby can move her head from side to side really good.

Michelle - posted on 11/16/2009

Same with my daughter, she is one month old and will only sleep on her tummy. We have her sleep with us in bed and she sleeps on her tummy next to or on top of me so that I know she is safe! I think that it is a phase and will pass, but I dont think I would put her in her crib or bassinet for the night sleeping on her tummy, I'd be too nervous! For now I will stick it out until she gets a little older.

Melissa - posted on 11/15/2009

tummy sleeping is a proven "cause" of sids... there is nothing that shows side sleeping causes sids in infants. . . my 3 yr old was a side sleeper when she was a baby and one of my twins will only lay on his side when he is first put down... i will admit... once in a while i lay down and feed them on the couch and roll them up onto my chest and belly to burp and if they fall asleep like that i let them doze till im ready to get up... but as a mother who has lost children.. i personally would not put my infant on their belly to sleep ... if he/she is tired enough... they will fall asleep tummy or not. . . but thats just me

Heather - posted on 11/14/2009

I sleep with my baby...and she is on her side nestled into my chest all night...or she rolls a bit on her tummy. I don't worry about it. I hear and feel her breathing. So long as your all happy and getting sleep, just relax about it. A healthy strong baby won't smother.