back, belly, or side? which do you prefer?

Colette - posted on 02/16/2012

My babies sleep on there tummy aswell because they will not settle at all on back and it also makes me nervous when trying to put them on back. I personally think we were born to naturally sleep how we are comfortable not how we are told year by year. My mum put me on my tum n so did everyone else's of our age so my guess is that the way u sleep hasn't got anything to do with cot death along with many other so called reasons. Another point is new research has found 2/3 of them were lacking in vitamin D ( this causes all sorts of big problems for infants and babies ).

With everything... I Follow my motherly instincts n do what my babies are most confortable with x

Colette - posted on 02/16/2012

My babies sleep on there tummy aswell because they will not settle at all on back and it also makes me nervous when trying to put them on back. I personally think we were born to naturally sleep how we are comfortable not how we are told year by year. My mum put me on my tum n so did everyone else's of our age so my guess is that the way u sleep hasn't got anything to do with cot death along with many other so called reasons. Another point is new research has found 2/3 of them were lacking in vitamin D ( this causes all sorts of big problems for infants and babies ).

With everything... I Follow my motherly instincts n do what my babies are most confortable with x

Marika - posted on 07/04/2009

Quoting Nicole:

My doctor and hospital told me to never put my infant daughter on her tummy to sleep. She was in the bassinette for the first 3 months when I was concerned about her choking on her spit up. If I heard the slightest peep from her I woke right up and was less than a few inches from her. To be honest, for the first few months as a new mom you aren't supposted to get much sleep it is the way it is for most mothers. To go against my doctor and my hospitals recommendations just because the baby wakes up less frequently is BS IMHO. I would hate it if i went against them because god forbid it ever happened I would blame myself forever. My doctor approved side sleeping, which I think puts most parents minds at ease about choking. Everyone does things differently but personally I welcome waking up more frequently during the night to make sure my DD is as safe as possible. I suppose it depends on your docs. Also for the reflux babies out there, I went to the store and bought a very firm very thin pillow and put it under a very tight crib sheet and it greatly improved my daughters sleep, and put my mind at ease a bit about spitup as she was on a slight incline regardless of whether she wanted to sleep back or side.

Thankyou Nicole!

I completely respect everyones right to an opinion, but this is one of the most intelligent comments I have read in this thread so far.

Sabrina - posted on 07/04/2009

Swaddling is great... if you have baby willing to stay in it. Our daughter was so strong and stubborn from the very beginning! She refused to stay in the swaddling blankets and would roll over by herself to get off her back (even with the wedge)! She is now two and very healthy. I think it really depends on the child and their temperament!

Marcia - posted on 06/29/2009

Our baby is nearly 5 months old, and has always slept on his back. Once he did have a moment where he did bring up his milk in his sleep. As he was in the cradle next to our bed I wasn't fully alseep and heard it coming up and was quickly at his aid. It did freak me out, as he's a breast fed baby and doesn't bring up milk like a bottle fed baby can do. As he had breathing problems anyway everytime he slept I expected the worst anyway, him choking was an issue till that night. Thereon we were advised to elevate the head are of the cradle to help with his breathing, and I also made sure he was fully winded before putting him down to sleep again. We've not had any episodes of choking, and his breathing was better being slightly raised, and that was 3 months ago all that happened. Now over the past week he's gone from rolling from his side to his back as he's been doing for some time now, but his figured out that he can roll onto his tummy and back onto his side or back whenever he wants. The past two nights we've put him on his back and during the night he's turned onto his back and carried on sleeping. Or like this morning I woke to find him lying on his right side. He seems to like that side better, and still gets placed onto his back. I've always made sure though, that even with the covers up they come to only his shoulders. He's like his dad though, doesn't like being covered up, when we cover Aaron up, within minutes he's taken his arms out and put them onto of the blanket. When he was a newbown he did the same and liked to be swaddled with one arm out. Speak to your health visitor with your concerns, and I'm sure everything will be ok just so long as your baby is burped properly they won't spit up and choke. It's the pocket of air that makes that happen if they haven't been burped properly and put to bed, the air pushes the milk back up.



Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you.

Allison - posted on 06/29/2009

i too put my daughter to sleep on her tummy from when she was 2wks old. she would never sleep through the night on her back but could do 6hrs or more on her tummy. it is scary doing it at 1st but you know what is right for your baby

Cyrilla - posted on 06/27/2009

At first Finn would love to sleep on his belly but now he only sleeps on his belly when he's napping and I can watch over him.. He has good head control but I am still nervous to let him sleep on his belly overnight. He doesn't mind his sides or back so usually I lay him how ever he lands... usually his back. Right now his positioner is in the wash so it's been his back for a few days. I guess it is how you feel comfortable. I wouldn't want to tell you put him on his stomach and then something happen. You are the mother, you know what is best.

Cathy - posted on 06/26/2009

I put mine sitting up in a baby sling

Nuraini - posted on 06/26/2009

on their back without pillow under their head, thats how i did to my kids since they are born

Amanda - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Sarah :

I do agree with you about the choking when they are on their back as my mum was told never to lay me on my back and to always lay me on my side. However since the FSID introuced the 'reduce the risk of cot death' campaign in 1991 cot deaths have been reduced by 75% so their research must mean something and obviously it has saved lives. I'm not saying what is wrong and right at the end of the day you need to do whatever you feel safest doing as a parent

actually the reason the SIDS rates have dropped is because young childrens deaths are now being investigated. before 1991 all deaths of a child under 2 in a cot where regarded as cot death no matter what happened. Since 1991 they have started investigating it and have found many other causes(both medical and accidental) that have been the causes of the deaths and these deatsh are now being recorded as what they are instead.

Michelle - posted on 06/26/2009

Doctors say back or side, however, my son would only sleep on belly, as well as, my grand daughter. I do think it important that they be able to lift head enough to move side to side.

Jennifer - posted on 06/26/2009

I have 3 children... And none of them would sleep on their backs...When I would put them on their backs they would be really restless through the night... Like movin around alot and waking up alot!! My youngest has always, since he's been able to, pulled a blankie of some sort right up to and sometimes OVER his face!!! Which was REALLY scary.... But he would move it by himself.. AND we NEVER had any problems... So which ever way YOUR baby is more comfortable is what I would do!!!!

LaCi - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Stacey:

Quoting LaCi:

i put my son on his back because thats what they said to do. and his head ended up flat because he ALWAYS tilted it to the right, nothing could stop him, he was pretty mobile from the start. If I put him on a wedge he would wiggle right of it, so he looked funny for a couple months. I told my doctor i wanted one of those headshaping helmets and she laughed at me. fortunately after a couple months he was rolling over on his own and his head returned to a beautiful round shape. But I was freaked out lol. I WANTED to put him on his belly because he could move pretty well, but I was too paranoid.

Its also good to hear other babies were born able to lift their heads. I thought mine was born late or something lol I couldn't believe he was doing that in my hospital room.

They ended up taking x-rays of my son to c if he had torticolis..a spinal disorder...bc he always tilted his head to the right. I told off my doctors tho. I cant believed she laughed at u. I almost had to put my son in one but luckily he turned out fine....they also wantedto put him in a special class to teach him to move his head more but I decided he didnt need it. I am so sorry to hear bout ur doctor. I wouldve flipped out. She cant do that. Plus it all depends how bad the flat spot is...the only do that as a last resort and after the baby is 7 months old the shape is pretty much permenant so a helmet wouldnt help then.

Oh she laughed at me for being so paranoid, she said it would balance out as soon as he started moving around. She was correct though, he balanced out. She wasn't being mean :)

Jodi - posted on 06/26/2009

I put my daughter on her belly. I have since she was a week old. She was colicky and this was her favorite position. She has been able to pick her head up and turn it since then as well. She is now 3 months old and is rolling over, and when she rolls onto her back she wakes up. My doctor told me to only let her sleep on her back. I take my doctors advice seriously, but as a mom it is my job to make the best decision for my baby. If she isn't getting the rest she needs in the suggested position, then I am going to do it differently than what is suggested. Every child is different. You have to do what is best and most comfortable for your situation!

Samantha - posted on 06/26/2009

i put mine on there side that way if th chuck n can at least go out of there mouth tho i got told off from th nurse i still did it for both of my children as i will 4 th next plus ya dont get a bald spot on th back of bubs head!!! cause ya can tae turns on which side they lay on.....

Sara - posted on 06/25/2009

my son has been sleeping on his belly since 6 weeks he is now 7 months its the only way he would and still will sleep :)

Jessica - posted on 06/25/2009

zoey has hated laying on her back since birth if the babys dosent like it why force it??? the choking thing i would think that dr's have more brains then to lay some one on there back when someone sezes out they say lay them on there side so if they spit up they wount choke so why should we take the chance with our childre belly down is the best

Megan - posted on 06/25/2009

Have you tried wedging her up on one side and turning her head for her. I wouldn't put her on her tummy unless she is strong enough to lift her head up and turn it from side to side, and only if the doc oks it. I know it is scary to have your baby choke! But don't be too quick to put her on her belly, because it is a sids risk. Specifically talk to your pediatrician! Maybe he will give you the ok to put her on her belly, or will give you the tools to be sure she wont choke! Explain it thoroughly to the doctor. Some babies are allowed to belly-sleep because of special circumstances... but try not to make the decision without speaking to a doctor first. They are there to help you with thees things and nothing is set in stone!

Also, my understanding is that SIDS risk goes away when a child can confidently roll over. At that point you just need a crib free from toys and blankets and then babies will sleep however they want. So there is an end in sight!

Alicia - posted on 06/25/2009

Hello Tila,



It's best that they sleep on their back based on SIDS. My question to you is how old is your daughter? If she is able to roll around and lift her head high and keep it up she can sleep on her stomach because she will roll that way in her sleep. If she is very young and can not support her head she will not be able to lift it if she is choking in her milk. You can try to elevate her if she is under 6mths by using a reflux incline sold at babies/toys r us. This is just a little bit of info my son is now 9mths so I have been through some true choking episodes. If she is doing it often consult her peidiatrician and have her sleep in the room with you. Sometimes you can not hear choking through a monitor. I hope this was helpful

Katie - posted on 06/25/2009

I was so worried my son would get SIDS, I only put him on his back to sleep. After 2 weeks of him fighting his sleep I put him on his belly and he sleeps all night long! Np problems whatso ever!

Anne Marie - posted on 06/25/2009

Well, until the spiting up subsided... I held my son upright and learned to sleep sitting up. I am an otherwise sound sleeper, so for me, putting him on his belly was not an option. I have friends who put their babies to sleep on their tummies and they died... who knows if it is related, but, until my boys could roll themselves over, I put them down on their backs, (once the GERD was under control) and they slept just fine. If belly works for you and your baby... then go for it, do what ever you are most comfortable with.

Lena - posted on 06/25/2009

i always put my son on his belly, idk what the docs r talking about its bad for them when they just started saying that recently. If it was really bad im sure none of us wld be here now lol my son doesnt like it on his back anyway and he sleeps longer if hes on his belly.

Celestial - posted on 06/25/2009

I put all 3 of my kids to sleep on their belly. All three of them were just so much more secure & comfortable that way. It's supposedly not the right thing to do, but I figure I don't smoke, there's nothing in the crib for them to suffocate & they were all healthy breastfed babies.

Nicole - posted on 06/25/2009

My doctor and hospital told me to never put my infant daughter on her tummy to sleep. She was in the bassinette for the first 3 months when I was concerned about her choking on her spit up. If I heard the slightest peep from her I woke right up and was less than a few inches from her. To be honest, for the first few months as a new mom you aren't supposted to get much sleep it is the way it is for most mothers. To go against my doctor and my hospitals recommendations just because the baby wakes up less frequently is BS IMHO. I would hate it if i went against them because god forbid it ever happened I would blame myself forever. My doctor approved side sleeping, which I think puts most parents minds at ease about choking. Everyone does things differently but personally I welcome waking up more frequently during the night to make sure my DD is as safe as possible. I suppose it depends on your docs. Also for the reflux babies out there, I went to the store and bought a very firm very thin pillow and put it under a very tight crib sheet and it greatly improved my daughters sleep, and put my mind at ease a bit about spitup as she was on a slight incline regardless of whether she wanted to sleep back or side.

Sandra - posted on 06/25/2009

Quoting Jenny:

Quoting Sandra:

My babies all tummy slept from birth (jsut as safe as back sleeping).

I know that lots of parents have had success with it, and who am I to judge what works for some, but unfortunately it really isn't safer. There are many peer-reviewed studies that show tummy sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. Tummy sleeping isn't the only key to the SIDS puzzle, but at
this time, evidence strongly supports the argument that it contributes to infant death.

You may find the following helpful:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cg...

and many more studies, here:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=SIDS...

Regarding the swaddling that I mentioned before, I became a fan of it after reading Harvey Karp, M.D.'s Happiest Baby on the Block. He explains that babies often resist swaddling and you will think they hate it. It can be really difficult because their arms flail and you think they are not interested, but trust me, press on with it. You won't hurt them. And you will be amazed that when you do get them swaddled, they often calm right down. I really recommend trying it again even if you've had no luck with it in the past. You can even swaddle at night up to 1 year old.

 

BTS actually hasn't reduced infant mortality, so I don't believe that any position is any better than any other.  Since the campaign started, autopsies are being done more frequently and deaths are simply being reclassified as what they really are (tracheal abnormalities, suffocation, heart defects - instead of before the campaign when all were called SIDS).  So the "reduction" is a false statistic.  Tummy sleeping (or side sleeping, or back sleeping) doesn't "CAUSE" sudden death, so I have no qualms about tummy sleeping a minute old baby.  Science is reaching, and they have no solution.  They change their minds every few years.  Since SIDS has no cause, no cure, and no prevention, and add to that the fact that it's ridiculously pathetically rare, tummy sleeping is a-okay in my book!

Since the BTS campaign, there's been an increase in PPD because babies don't sleep (so then mama doesn't sleep); an increase in flat heads - actually leading to a plethera of health issues; increase in gas/reflux, and an increase in needlessly expensive gadgets to wedge (and potentially suffocate) a baby. 

Nope, to me, the tummy is perfectly fine.  And thank goodness my docs think the same!

Karen - posted on 06/25/2009

When my girls were little, I would rotate putting them on there side. If you put them on on side too often, there head seem more flat on one side. I guess its a old thing my mom told me. Good luck.

Sarah - posted on 06/25/2009

on his back have done from day one since i got told too .. but i'd be scared in case he rolls over and stuff. he throws up a lot .. but luckily he seems to be fine when he sleeps. i put an old moses mattresses under the head of the cot mattress though to help eleivate him .. since he's a sicky baby. though now he's learning how to roll a bit he rolls on to his side quite a bit when he's sleeping.

Stacey - posted on 06/25/2009

Quoting LaCi:

i put my son on his back because thats what they said to do. and his head ended up flat because he ALWAYS tilted it to the right, nothing could stop him, he was pretty mobile from the start. If I put him on a wedge he would wiggle right of it, so he looked funny for a couple months. I told my doctor i wanted one of those headshaping helmets and she laughed at me. fortunately after a couple months he was rolling over on his own and his head returned to a beautiful round shape. But I was freaked out lol. I WANTED to put him on his belly because he could move pretty well, but I was too paranoid.

Its also good to hear other babies were born able to lift their heads. I thought mine was born late or something lol I couldn't believe he was doing that in my hospital room.

They ended up taking x-rays of my son to c if he had torticolis..a spinal disorder...bc he always tilted his head to the right. I told off my doctors tho. I cant believed she laughed at u. I almost had to put my son in one but luckily he turned out fine....they also wantedto put him in a special class to teach him to move his head more but I decided he didnt need it. I am so sorry to hear bout ur doctor. I wouldve flipped out. She cant do that. Plus it all depends how bad the flat spot is...the only do that as a last resort and after the baby is 7 months old the shape is pretty much permenant so a helmet wouldnt help then.

Stacey - posted on 06/25/2009

My son slept on his back n at two months had a flat spot...doctors said it was normal but one week later it got VERY bad and we had to seea cranial surgeon. He almoat had to have a special helmet made for him but I intervned which included him to be off his head 24/7.



It was VERY hard work to make sure his head didnt rest on anything and now that he is 16 months he still has a flat spot although it is much better.



On top of everything I got meningitis from my emergency c-section with him and was suffering from amnesia so remembering to rotate him was totally out of the question bc of my memory. I took care of my son all by myself.



At 2 1/2 months he slept on his tummy n he did great. I propped him up on a boppy or a roll up blanket so in case he did go face down he still had that extra spacebetween his face n the bottom of his crib.



Flat spots are something I was even told about...didnt know solid bone could bend. Everyone knows bout the soft spot n how that gives in a bit so the baby can come out of the womb but the actualy bone...had no idea that happened. The need to educate mothers more and this comes from a mom who thought she did her research.



I say side laying n belly r the best way to put baby to sleep.

Jenny - posted on 06/25/2009

Quoting Sandra:

My babies all tummy slept from birth (jsut as safe as back sleeping).

I know that lots of parents have had success with it, and who am I to judge what works for some, but unfortunately it really isn't safer. There are many peer-reviewed studies that show tummy sleeping increases the risk of SIDS. Tummy sleeping isn't the only key to the SIDS puzzle, but at
this time, evidence strongly supports the argument that it contributes to infant death.

You may find the following helpful:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cg...

and many more studies, here:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=SIDS...

Regarding the swaddling that I mentioned before, I became a fan of it after reading Harvey Karp, M.D.'s Happiest Baby on the Block. He explains that babies often resist swaddling and you will think they hate it. It can be really difficult because their arms flail and you think they are not interested, but trust me, press on with it. You won't hurt them. And you will be amazed that when you do get them swaddled, they often calm right down. I really recommend trying it again even if you've had no luck with it in the past. You can even swaddle at night up to 1 year old.

Dynnel - posted on 06/25/2009

I agree, the back seems to be the most dangerous as they can choke so much easier. All of my children have prefered sleeping on their belly as long as they are not sleeping on a very soft surface like a pillow or feather bed they can not smother themselves. I have 4 children my youngest being 3 months and she sleeps best on her side and belly.

User - posted on 06/25/2009

I put me baby on her tummy. she sleeps much better that way than on her back and she can lift her head and turn her face.

Jodie - posted on 06/25/2009

i know they say "Back to sleep" But both my boys have always slept on their stomaches the first 2 years. They could lift their heads and turn if needed.

Amanda - posted on 06/25/2009

Well with my daughter that happend to me. I put my daughter on her back and in the middle of the night I was in a dead sleep and got a weird feeling that something was wrong, i woke up and checked on my daughter and she was blue. she was choking on her spit up. So after that I would have to vote tummy or side, anything but back.

Melony - posted on 06/25/2009

He prefers belly sleeping. He disturbs too easily and cannot get good rest. Do what your mommy instinct tells you honey.

Tracy - posted on 06/25/2009

My doctor told me the % of difference in back deaths and stomach deaths is only like 4%. He had twins and they slept on their tummies as did my son and he did just fine! Hope that helps.

Jade - posted on 06/25/2009

both mine always on their stomaches

Ange - posted on 06/25/2009

Both my daughters have slept on their tummies since birth. I did worry about it because we are all told not to let them sleep that way. I even tried turning them over on to their backs once they were asleep a few times but they would wake up a few minutes later. they were both strong enough to lift their heads up and turn from side to side even when they wre asleep so I gave up worry about it eventually.

Chinggay - posted on 06/24/2009

Definetely tummy down! But when they got a little older, they slept on their backs. I don't know with others, but sleeping on their bellies protect them from chocking & when they have to barf (as they are wont to do), it slides down their chins. But do what is comfortable for your child. If she can sleep well in the position, then let her be.

Tiffany - posted on 06/24/2009

Quoting Sandra:

Quoting Nicole-Julia:

belly...i know you aren't supposed to let your baby sleep on their stomach but i have been guilty of that since he was a week old...i closely monitored him though and he also slept with me (another no-no in the big book of how to care for your new newborn)

What (horrible) book are you reading that says co-sleeping is a no-no?  It's the safest, loving, and most natural thing to do with your baby ... they're simply not meant to sleep separate from their parents for a long time.  Good for you for following your instincts, you must be a very loving mama!!

exactly! my first daughter slept in bed with us every night. i loved being close to her.. and was always very aware of her presence.. chose not to let our 2nd daughter sleep with me... because older daughter sometimes wakes in the night and comes to my bed.. worried she wouldn't notice her sister there. but without the worry of an older child coming into the bed i would definetly recommend co sleeping.

Tiffany - posted on 06/24/2009

my daughter sleeps on her belly. has preferred to since she was born. they do try to scare you to death with the sids thing.. but we come from a time where we pretty much all slept on our bellies and we are okay. i worried at first but she's mobile enough now at 4.5 months to roll any way she likes. and they claim sids peaks around such time..

Kristina - posted on 06/24/2009

i always put my lil girl to sleep in her back but she turns to her side. she has always just liked sleeping on her sides.

Sarah - posted on 06/24/2009

Putting babies to sleep changes all the time, 9 years ago when I had my daughter they said to put them to sleep on the side or belly, no back and its changed like 10 times sence then. My daughter slept on her side and seemed very relaxed. As long as your baby is comfortable and you feel that your baby is safe, thats all that matters. And if I could tell first time moms one thing, it would be " You know your baby more than anyone else and only you know whats right for your children".

Emily - posted on 06/24/2009

We put our daughter on her back. If I had herd her choking I probably would have done he same thing!! This has changed sooo much over the years!! I actually know a Dr. who put her child on her stomach also, her child would just scream if on its back. Honestly it all depends on what is best for you child!!

Sarah - posted on 06/24/2009

we did on our children's side, for the reason of acid reflux & spitting up. all of our kids love sleeping on their tummies, and as soon as they could roll they did. yes, it is hard when the doctors tell you not to, but some times you gotta do what works for your kiddo!

Neddy - posted on 06/24/2009

Prefer the belly and alternatate the sides every now and then. I think it's safer than on the back.

Capricia - posted on 06/24/2009

in my childbirth classes they say the back but i always put my son on his stomach because he sleeps alot better when i do.

Elaine - posted on 06/24/2009

My baby girl always slept on her belly because she was most comfortable that way. I would roll her over on her back, which would result in her fussing, wimpering, and just being annoyed. So, I guess old fashion instinct worked for me. Belly, because that's what she preferred. Six years later... she falls asleep on her back, but come morning she's still on her belly!

Sandra - posted on 06/24/2009

Quoting Nicole-Julia:

belly...i know you aren't supposed to let your baby sleep on their stomach but i have been guilty of that since he was a week old...i closely monitored him though and he also slept with me (another no-no in the big book of how to care for your new newborn)

What (horrible) book are you reading that says co-sleeping is a no-no?  It's the safest, loving, and most natural thing to do with your baby ... they're simply not meant to sleep separate from their parents for a long time.  Good for you for following your instincts, you must be a very loving mama!!

Nicole-Julia - posted on 06/24/2009

belly...i know you aren't supposed to let your baby sleep on their stomach but i have been guilty of that since he was a week old...i closely monitored him though and he also slept with me (another no-no in the big book of how to care for your new newborn)