My Daughter who is 3 months old hates to sleep on her back. I have a sleep positioner and I will let her fall asleep on her side in it but before I go to sleep i put her on her back. Is there any way i can let her sleep on her side instead of her back or is the risk of sids to great? My doctor told me she is 300 times more likely to die from sids at 4 months than at one month and I am not in the safe zone yet. I get some sleep at night but just basically watch her because I am scared

Denise - posted on 01/27/2009

They have theses neat things that look like two pillows joined in the middle, so your baby can sleep in between them and not roll, all three of my boys had one. Loved it, it made my life a little better just knowing they couldn't roll onto the belly.

Jessica - posted on 01/27/2009

I have been through all the different steps...stomach, then side, now back.  Recent studies show the back is the best...so that's what I went with for my 3rd.  I think as long as your checking on her while she is on her side and moving her to her back later all is well.  When it comes down to it, a little extra checking is well worth it.  She is so little now and may change in a couple of months. We kept our third one swaddled until about 5 months because she was a restless sleeper, startled easily, and when her arms would eventually relax, she'd startle again cause her arms touched something. arrgg good luck

Angela - posted on 01/27/2009

I used to put a flattened rolled blankie under one side of them, just enough so they weren't flat on their back, but also not on their side fully. Worked for me till he got used to his back.

User - posted on 01/27/2009

My youngest would have milk draining out of her nose at night when I laid her down, so I put her on her side, swaddled tightly, in a Boppy nursing pillow--you know, the ones shaped like a C.  She was perfectly happy to sleep that way, and it was very firm, so she couldn't press her nose into it or anything.  It tilted her body up just enough to keep the milk in her tummy.  And again, she was always, always within an arm's reach away.

Katelyn - posted on 01/27/2009

Sister SIDS fear ruled my life for the first 6 weeks after I had my daughter... I would sit and watch her sleep, and to boot she was a refluxer and had to sleep on her side to not get choked. i finally broke down and invested in (best $100 I have EVER spent) in a movement monitor. They are little sensor pads that go under the crib mattress and are so sensitive it can pick up babies every movement (ie breathing). If she were to stop breathing it would alarm. I have peace of mind now knowing if she is on her side or even her tummy that the monitor is on- if something were to happen and she stopped breathing it would alarm. I now sleep at night and she sleeps in her own bed now too. The brand I bought is the baby sense movemement monitor.... every mom of an infant needs one!

Tiffany - posted on 01/27/2009

when i had my son, he never liked sleeping on his back because he got stomach aches then and would wake up. i was also afraid he would choke on his spit up because he spits up alot! so we got this wedge at target called "Sassy" that he slept inbetween and we laid him on his side in there.. he pretty much slept fine then. and when he was able to lift his head and move it around we laid him on his tummy. im happy that i do this becuase he does spit up in his sleep and it doesnt get stuck in his mouth. Hes about 3 months now and sleeps all through the night!

Lesha - posted on 01/27/2009

my son is almost 5 months and as soon as he started to roll on his own he wont sleep anway but his back. he was the same way and for the longest time I had this pad thing that you have them sleep between so they can't roll over on their tummy and he would sleep through the night on his side. When he started rolling over I was afraid to about him sleeping on his tummy. but I got use to it. It  takes time I have talked to other news moms I know and they all went though the same thing. Good luck

Tiph - posted on 01/27/2009

My dd would NOT sleep on her back for anything, and was only comfortable on her tummy.  Plus, she has such horrible gag reflexes, she would aspirate her spit & end up choking, when on her back. - making it a far greater threat to us, than SIDS.  Since she's had amazing head/neck control since day 1, and esp by 3 months...  he could move her head from side to side and away from the bed... I had no worry whatsoever of her suffocating.  Just make sure there are no extras in the crib with her.   Also just a note,  SIDS isn't suffocating...  though most people seems to associate the two.  It's the sudden and unexplained death of an apparently healthy infant. IOW, it can't be pegged to one thing.. and living in fear & losing sleep is certainly not healthy for anyone involved.  Some advice I always give to new mommies I am counseling, is to follow you heart.  It is the best thing you can EVER do as a parent!!   Remember, while doctors have their place for many things, not everything they say is always cut & dry, perfect for everyone... not even them. But unfortunately, in the world we live in, they can't/won't tell you that without the fear of lawsuits or worse....    Good luck to you!  ~ Go give your sweet baby girl a big hug & kiss, take a deep breath... and get some rest!!  ::hugs::

Averil - posted on 01/27/2009

my mums had 6 children & every1 one of us she laid on our sides. it changes all the time...dont lay them on there backs because they can choke on there sick then it changed 2 dont lay them on there side incase they roll over etc. my 4 month sleeps on her back but when she stays at my mums she goes on her side. as far as i know there isnt a risk & i have been told it's safer by a few people. i knew someone who laid there baby on there front because in the incubator thats how he was led. my daughter want sleep without a pillow (adult sized) under her but i got told not 2 incase she rolls over she cant get back. try putting her in a moses basket in your room, let her sleep on her sideas though she was in the recovery position. if she did roll on2 her front her body would just move not her head as its already side on 2 the pillow.

Lesley - posted on 01/27/2009

My second baby is four months on thurs ond she sleeps on her side all the time. She started rollin to her side at 2 months. If shes in a positioner I don't see why it would be that big a deal as long as nothing is near her face to obstruck her breathing. There is always a risk no matter what and even being on her back as well, so why not let her be comfortable!

Bobby - posted on 01/27/2009

my daughter never slept on her back she allways wanted to sleep on her side or her stomah she is now 3 and still sleeps on her side i got a baby montor that sends a alam if the baby stops breathing.

Katie - posted on 01/27/2009

I have heard there is new research that says having a fan going helps reduce the risk of sids. Also sucking on a paci is supposed to help as well. Is she rolling over yet? If so that's when babies start moving in their sleep and end up in all sorts of postions anyway... that's about when my daughter started sleeping on her tummy.

Rachel - posted on 01/27/2009

Thank You all for your help,advice and  kind words.

User - posted on 01/27/2009

Back sleeping is an unnatural position for a baby.  No wonder they don't like it.  If you were shaped like a curl, would you want to be flat on your back? 

I take one side off the crib and slide it right up against my side of the bed (so it's really just an extension of my mattress), and the baby sleeps within arm's reach until they're about a year old.  I nurse during the night, in bed, and if they were to quit breathing I would instantly know it.  They sleep on their sides because it's a natural position to sleep in. 

As someone else said in a reply, the "experts" change their minds every few years and they'll be saying something totally different by the time you have one or two more children.

Pat - posted on 01/27/2009

There is a school of thought that has said that a child is less likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome if the have a soother/ dummy. All of my children have slept in what ever position the prefered. I always swaddled my children as this made them feel more secure and did'nt allow them to get over heated. I nearly lost my son when he was 4mths old, he was asleep on his back in his pushchair. I think that the monitor is a good idea for your own peace of mind. Try not to worry too much she will be fine. Now sleep deprivation can be a problem on it's own. I'm sure your baby still has naps, make sure you take one at the same time. Don't try to do too much, the housework is not important, you and your own well being is.

Stephanie - posted on 01/27/2009

Both my sons(2 Y, 9 M) refused to sleep on their backs including one who spent his first 2 1/2 weeks in the NICU where they had him on his side swaddled. Very annoying as they told me when I took him home to lay him on his back. I would nurse them to sleep and very very gently lay them down... I did try as long as possible but by 6-8 weeks they were rolling over on their own. I do try to keep their beds clear of items and the monitor may have helped me have some peace of mind. They also liked their swing which is where they slept for naps and I got some rest.

Jody - posted on 01/27/2009

Quite honestly, I'm not all convinced on the research about SIDS and that sleeping on the back will help prevent it. I personally know of 2 other people who put their babies on their backs to sleep as suggested and still died of SIDS. I know both of my children, plus all of my nieces and nephews, as well as all of us girls, were all side sleepers. Almost all of us girls (born '59-'70) also were put on our stomachs to sleep as we slept much, much better that way, but when my girls were born, they said it was a no-no. I could never understand why doctors would recommend a baby to sleep on their backs because I know both of my girls as well as my nephew had issues with spitting up during the night, even after being fed well and burping perfectly fine. Due to that, they all were side-sleepers and did great. Sleeping on their backs would make them cry and probably because it was very uncomfortable (think of sleeping with acid-reflux flat on your back without your head elevated) Back then, they were more worried about a baby choking on spit-up and inhaling it. Both my girls HATED sleeping on their backs and would cry until I tucked them onto their sides.

I am not an expert by any means in regards to SIDS, but still am not quite convinced on the sleeping on the back method is a true preventative. I believe a lot of babies would be prone to SIDS regardless of their sleeping positions. I wish more research would be done in regards to the genetics of such diseases, but the research is so expensive and the money just not there.

Keep in mind, you need sleep too. A tired mother can be more detrimental and although it is normal to worry, I am sure that she will be just fine if you do what you're supposed to do. You've obviously done a wonderful job thus far.

However, always remember your doctor is your best person for advice. I know if I was sound asleep and sleeping well, I would hate for someone to wake me, even slightly, and roll me on my back. It may not be as comfortable. People don't think of such things, but all babies are little human beings.

Cheryl - posted on 01/27/2009

Well have you tried to put a wraped up towel behind her that worked for my children!

Teri - posted on 01/27/2009

Hi there.

Both of my babies (son is 8 now, daughter 1) slept on their sides.   I just rolled a recieving blanket really tight and wedged it tight in front of them.

They are both happy and healthy and great.

But, if you are scared listen to your doc.

ALTHOUGH..... they tell you to lay them on their stomach, then their side, then their back..... who knows... they change it all the time. sigh.

Suzanne - posted on 01/27/2009

Hi I know how you feel..my 2 boys would not sleep unless they were on their stomach..in the end I let them sleep that way at my own risk so I am not suggesting that you do that however for piece of mind there is a device out there that you can place on your cot mattress and if you baby stops breathing an alarm is triggered which you hear, this way hopefully you can sleep better if she continues on her side....my friend has one for her baby I am not where she got it from or what it is called but I can find out for you if you like. Hope this has helped slightly

Juli - posted on 01/27/2009

My daughter never slept on her back. Even with a sleep psitioner she still turned over. I got an Angel Monitor and that helped ease my mind. She is now 6 years old.

Mary Ann - posted on 01/27/2009

Let her sleep on her side. As an "old mom" (56yrs.old), to be quite honest, after having 4 sons, all of whom slept on their tummies,(now-a-days the reserchers and pediatricians would freak) I don't get the whole fear of SIDS thing. In my experience, those who I have known who had a baby die of SDS, were smokers. I was really relived to see that my daughter-in-law does not freak out because my grandson prefers to sleep on his tummy. I guess researchers need to "find" reasons why SIDS occurs in some infants. Yes, it is very very tragic. But there is really nothing you can do if your baby prefers to sleep on her side. It is better for her to have a rested mom than one who has been up all night watching her take every breath. Relax. You are not a bad mom.

Kelli - posted on 01/27/2009

My son HATED to sleep on his back and finally I broke down and rolled him on his belly at about 3 months and haven't looked back since and he's 20months now!! I asked my Pediatrician what I could do and not do and he told me the best answer possible, the first one was what he had to legally tell me according to the AAP (American Association of Pediatrics) and then he told me what he did as a father/parent of three toddlers. If she has good head control and can move her head from side to side, she'll figure out a way to get unstuck. There is also a heart monitor/pad for parents worried about their infant dying of SIDS, you can it at Baby's R' Us or look online for it. The manufacturer is Angel Wings. Good Luck and hopefully you'll be resting soon too!

Lee - posted on 01/27/2009

i never put my girls to sleep on their back, i know they say it's the safest position for them but if they vomit they cant lift their head and could choke on it. i always put a pillow under the head of the mattress so it was slightly elevated and put a rolled cloth nappy behind and infront of them so they couldn't roll onto their back or belly

Catherine - posted on 01/27/2009

My second daughter refused to sleep on her back, however, her doctor, who also had five children of his own, said that as long as she had a side support system, that it was perfectly alright to let her sleep on her side. The main thing is to keep all comforters and stuffed animals and what not away from her face or where she could reach them because she isn't quite old enough to hold her head up and move it away.

Jennifer - posted on 01/27/2009

When my first was born (7 years ago) they said to put them on their side. It changes every few years. You should listen to your doctor. However, if you are going to put your baby on her side then there is a monitor called Baby Sense that will sound an alarm if the baby stops breathing or the breathing slows. This has saved my daughter once. Its annoying when the alarm goes off and the baby just rolled off the pad but for that one time that they stop breathing, its worth it. Try Toys r us: http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp...

Megan - posted on 01/27/2009

Do you put her in her blanket swaddled, it should be fine. we did that with our baby girl and it was fine, but the only thing different is that we started her that way. we had her in a swaddler or blanket wrapped up swaddled, since the day she was here. She is now 16 months old and doing great! Do what your instincts say is best.

Jennifer - posted on 01/27/2009

First of all, let me say how beautiful your daughter is. To address your question, yes it is way to risky at this age, and up until she is able to roll to her belly or side (and vice versa) on her own. Just keep putting her on her back, and maybe try letting her fall asleep on her back to get her used to it. Maybe try some music, or light-up mobile, etc. to sooth her. Good luck.