Does anyone let their baby sleep on his/her stomach? My 8 week DD prefers sleeping on her stomach so I would only let her during the day when I could keep an eye on her. However, at night, she hates sleeping on her back and the only way I can get her to sleep for at least 1 1/2 - 2 hours at a time is to let her sleep on my chest (I am elevated by pillows on my back.). This is my last resort after battling her for 2 hours to sleep in her crib. I've tried just about everything including placing her in the boppy pillow to sleep. Unfortunately nothing is working and if possible I would rather not let her sleep on her stomach because of the risk of SIDS. However, I need to get at least a few hours of sleep at night because I started back to work full-time yesterday. Any advice or suggestions are welcome. Thanks!!
Babies Sleeping on Their Stomachs
- Thread starter kristi
- Start date
Hi,
I wanted to let you know it is ok to let her sleep on her tummy if there's nothing around her. She's 2 months old so, she'll be fine. My sons slept on their tummies around that time and now they're 3 and 19 months. They said it's mostly newborns that are at risk of SIDS. If she sleeps in the same room as you, I don't see why not. Both of my boys slept in my room in a crib. I'd wake up and check on them every few hours. Did you ask your pediatrician? I've always let the baby do whatever makes them happy and comfortable. Just make sure everything is out of her way and the blanket is not all the way up to her neck either. Good luck!
Lisa
I wanted to let you know it is ok to let her sleep on her tummy if there's nothing around her. She's 2 months old so, she'll be fine. My sons slept on their tummies around that time and now they're 3 and 19 months. They said it's mostly newborns that are at risk of SIDS. If she sleeps in the same room as you, I don't see why not. Both of my boys slept in my room in a crib. I'd wake up and check on them every few hours. Did you ask your pediatrician? I've always let the baby do whatever makes them happy and comfortable. Just make sure everything is out of her way and the blanket is not all the way up to her neck either. Good luck!
Lisa
I am going to contradict Lisa (you now I love to do that Lisa 
. It is actually a risk until baby can roll. "Parents and other caregivers should never place an infant in the prone position until he or she shows the ability to spontaneously turn all the way over. Back-sleeping should continue to be strongly encouraged to protect against SIDS." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=17406
I know of a woman who just lost a baby to SIDS this past May, it is just heartbreaking. I am not sure that being in the same room would prevent SIDS unless you are checking the baby as he or she is asphyxiating. Sorry, didn't know how else to put it.
I do agree with Lisa to talk with your pediatrician. Tummy sleeping is advised for some babies now (i.e., those with gastroesophageal reflux).
. It is actually a risk until baby can roll. "Parents and other caregivers should never place an infant in the prone position until he or she shows the ability to spontaneously turn all the way over. Back-sleeping should continue to be strongly encouraged to protect against SIDS." http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=17406I know of a woman who just lost a baby to SIDS this past May, it is just heartbreaking. I am not sure that being in the same room would prevent SIDS unless you are checking the baby as he or she is asphyxiating. Sorry, didn't know how else to put it.
I do agree with Lisa to talk with your pediatrician. Tummy sleeping is advised for some babies now (i.e., those with gastroesophageal reflux).
Titus2woman
Active Member
I always put my first baby on his back, as suggested. My second was a tummy sleeper, and being cosleepers, it really didn't bother me. He developed sooo much quicker, too! Same with my third. I'm sure I'll have no qualms about putting our coming fourth on his/her tummy. (((((HUGS))))) sandi
Hello,
My daugther is 16 months and has slept on her tummy since she was 7 weeks old. We did not have any problems. It's just a decision you will have to make...
A very encouraging book I found was "Healthy sleep habits, happy child" by Marc Weissbluth. I don't remember if it addresses the belly/back sleeping question you have, but, it may be useful to get your little one to sleep longer.
Take care. Good luck.
My daugther is 16 months and has slept on her tummy since she was 7 weeks old. We did not have any problems. It's just a decision you will have to make...
A very encouraging book I found was "Healthy sleep habits, happy child" by Marc Weissbluth. I don't remember if it addresses the belly/back sleeping question you have, but, it may be useful to get your little one to sleep longer.
Take care. Good luck.
Please know that I am not trying to tell you or anyone how to care for your child. I am ahppy the moms here who placed their babies on their tummies did so without incident. BUT, this does not change the evidence that finds this practice increases the risk of SIDS. It is important to remember that infants sleeping on their tummies (until they can roll over) are placed at an increased risk of SIDS. This is not the same as stating that every child sleeping on their tummy will suffer SIDS. It is also important to remember that being in the same room, especially sleeping, does not lessen the risk. You would have to be watching the child the entire time they were sleeping.
I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that it increases a person risk.
Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
Autumn
I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that it increases a person risk.
Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
Autumn
I don't know if this helps at all, but when we had trouble keeping DD#1 on her back to sleep we strapped her into her carseat and let her sleep there... She had a lot of problems with reflux, so the belly sleeping, even though she seemed to prefer it, was not an option if we wanted ANYONE in the house to sleep more than 15 minutes at a time The doctor said that as long as the buckles were done and the seat was secure (on the floor, wedged so it couldn't tip or roll over) it was okay.
Just an idea if you're concerned about the belly sleeping...
The doctor said that as long as the buckles were done and the seat was secure (on the floor, wedged so it couldn't tip or roll over) it was okay. Just an idea if you're concerned about the belly sleeping...
Thanks everyone for your help! I in good conscience cannot let DD sleep on her stomach. If something were to happen I would not be able to live with myself due to the guilt, but I truly wish that statistics showed otherwise about babies sleeping on their stomachs and SIDS. I really like the carseat idea. I know DD likes her bouncy seat a lot and when I went camping with my inlaws about 3 weeks ago she loved to sleep in it. I think I might do that again, of course with her strapped in. Another option I've been thinking about is the slumber bear (see the link below). A mother at DD's daycare suggested that maybe DD likes to hear my heartbeat and that is why she likes sleeping on me so much. It does make sense and maybe this will be a way to comfort her at night. Has anyone heard or used the bear?
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...d=I3OK53KCRWV0SF&v=glance&colid=2RCUWKS0PJDPG
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...d=I3OK53KCRWV0SF&v=glance&colid=2RCUWKS0PJDPG
sunnydelite
Cathlete
hi kristi!
it's definitely a hard decision. my son has reflux and still i've been reluctant to allow him to sleep on his tummy. actually today he had a bad episode with reflux and i finally let him nap on his tummy, it's the most comfortable sleep he's been able to get. good luck with whatever you decide.
it's definitely a hard decision. my son has reflux and still i've been reluctant to allow him to sleep on his tummy. actually today he had a bad episode with reflux and i finally let him nap on his tummy, it's the most comfortable sleep he's been able to get. good luck with whatever you decide.
>Please know that I am not trying to tell you or anyone how to
>care for your child. I am ahppy the moms here who placed
>their babies on their tummies did so without incident. BUT,
>this does not change the evidence that finds this practice
>increases the risk of SIDS. It is important to remember that
>infants sleeping on their tummies (until they can roll over)
>are placed at an increased risk of SIDS. This is not the same
>as stating that every child sleeping on their tummy will
>suffer SIDS. It is also important to remember that being in
>the same room, especially sleeping, does not lessen the risk.
>You would have to be watching the child the entire time they
>were sleeping.
>
>I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular
>activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the
>smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the
>non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all
>smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that
>it increases a person risk.
>
>Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
>
>Autumn
>
>
I just want to second Autumn's sentiments about what we can infer from scientific evidence because what she says is so important and she shouldn't hestitate to share her expertise. You can find examples of anything--my parents didn't put US in car seats and WE survived. My mother never took folic acid and I turned out ok. But that doesn't mean that the data on car seat use improving safety or folic acid reducing birth defects is faulty. The best evidence comes from large scale studies with lots of people, not an individual's (or even several individuals') luck dodging a bullet. Sorry if I sound preachy, but I think this is an important point to keep in mind just about interpreting SIDS risk, but lots of health and safety info we receive.
>care for your child. I am ahppy the moms here who placed
>their babies on their tummies did so without incident. BUT,
>this does not change the evidence that finds this practice
>increases the risk of SIDS. It is important to remember that
>infants sleeping on their tummies (until they can roll over)
>are placed at an increased risk of SIDS. This is not the same
>as stating that every child sleeping on their tummy will
>suffer SIDS. It is also important to remember that being in
>the same room, especially sleeping, does not lessen the risk.
>You would have to be watching the child the entire time they
>were sleeping.
>
>I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular
>activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the
>smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the
>non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all
>smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that
>it increases a person risk.
>
>Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
>
>Autumn
>
>
I just want to second Autumn's sentiments about what we can infer from scientific evidence because what she says is so important and she shouldn't hestitate to share her expertise. You can find examples of anything--my parents didn't put US in car seats and WE survived. My mother never took folic acid and I turned out ok. But that doesn't mean that the data on car seat use improving safety or folic acid reducing birth defects is faulty. The best evidence comes from large scale studies with lots of people, not an individual's (or even several individuals') luck dodging a bullet. Sorry if I sound preachy, but I think this is an important point to keep in mind just about interpreting SIDS risk, but lots of health and safety info we receive.
>Please know that I am not trying to tell you or anyone how to
>care for your child. I am ahppy the moms here who placed
>their babies on their tummies did so without incident. BUT,
>this does not change the evidence that finds this practice
>increases the risk of SIDS. It is important to remember that
>infants sleeping on their tummies (until they can roll over)
>are placed at an increased risk of SIDS. This is not the same
>as stating that every child sleeping on their tummy will
>suffer SIDS. It is also important to remember that being in
>the same room, especially sleeping, does not lessen the risk.
>You would have to be watching the child the entire time they
>were sleeping.
>
>I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular
>activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the
>smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the
>non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all
>smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that
>it increases a person risk.
>
>Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
>
>Autumn
>
>
I just want to second Autumn's sentiments about what we can infer from scientific evidence because what she says is so important and she shouldn't hestitate to share her expertise. You can find examples of anything--my parents didn't put US in car seats and WE survived. My mother never took folic acid and I turned out ok. But that doesn't mean that the data on car seat use improving safety or folic acid reducing birth defects are faulty. The best evidence comes from large scale studies with lots of people, not an individual's (or even several individuals') luck dodging a bullet. Sorry if I sound preachy, but I think this is an important point to keep in mind not just about interpreting SIDS risk, but lots of health and safety info we receive.
>care for your child. I am ahppy the moms here who placed
>their babies on their tummies did so without incident. BUT,
>this does not change the evidence that finds this practice
>increases the risk of SIDS. It is important to remember that
>infants sleeping on their tummies (until they can roll over)
>are placed at an increased risk of SIDS. This is not the same
>as stating that every child sleeping on their tummy will
>suffer SIDS. It is also important to remember that being in
>the same room, especially sleeping, does not lessen the risk.
>You would have to be watching the child the entire time they
>were sleeping.
>
>I think all of us can counter any claim that a particular
>activity increases our risk of injury. For example, the
>smoker who lives to be 90 and dies of old age versus the
>non-smoker who develops lung cancer. The fact that not all
>smokers die from lung cancer does not disprove the fact that
>it increases a person risk.
>
>Ok, I am leaving the lecture podium.
>
>Autumn
>
>
I just want to second Autumn's sentiments about what we can infer from scientific evidence because what she says is so important and she shouldn't hestitate to share her expertise. You can find examples of anything--my parents didn't put US in car seats and WE survived. My mother never took folic acid and I turned out ok. But that doesn't mean that the data on car seat use improving safety or folic acid reducing birth defects are faulty. The best evidence comes from large scale studies with lots of people, not an individual's (or even several individuals') luck dodging a bullet. Sorry if I sound preachy, but I think this is an important point to keep in mind not just about interpreting SIDS risk, but lots of health and safety info we receive.