Sleeping on tummy

eureeka777

I know that it is HIGHLY discouraged, but my 8 week will not sleep on her back. I was at the pediatrician and mentioned something about this. The doctor told me that I need to retrain my daughter. For the past three weeks, the sleeping on her tummy has been fabulous! She has slept 8-9 hours a night. Because she has had a good night's sleep, she has been much happier and more rythmic with her schedule. What should I do??

danieliza1127

My baby takes all of his naps on his tummy.  He sleeps at night in the rock n play but he's been really stuffy the last week (we all have colds) and will only sleep in it half the night and then is too stuffy and won't go back down so I've been putting him in his crib on his belly for the rest of the night.  His neck and head is really strong, he can completely lift up, turn his head from side to side.  I know it's not ideal but he sleeps great so we do it. 

It's really a personal choice for you to make.   I did read about the Magic Sleep Suit and have thought about getting one to get him to sleep on his back in his crib.  I haven't decided yet.

shortysgrrl01

I had a heck of a time with getting my little one to sleep and getting on a schedule. She was all over the place, she was sleeping in the rock and play because of her reflux. With me going back to work in two weeks I was determined this week to get her in her crib and on a schedule. She fussed and fussed and I finally put her on her tummy and she slept from 11-6am only getting up once to eat. Last night was our second night and after eating at 9 she finally went to sleep at 10 and slept until 6 only waking up once again. I finally feel like we are on the right path. I think it's ok to do whatever you need to for your baby to be happy. My mom raised 7 kids all on their bellies. My husband did some research online and found that the SIDS risk is only like 1% and being on their belly is only one of MANY factors that can contribute to SIDS. I worry a little but I'm getting over it. Do what works for you and your baby!

DavidStamps

Is your little one able to turn over and/or able to lift their head and switch it from side to side? I read that if your LO can roll over on their own and can lift their head than they can sleep however they like, especially if you put them on their back and the roll over to their tummy.

OUKatie

Put her on her back.

Babies used to be put to sleep on their tummy. Why? Because most babies like to sleep on their tummy! Of course she sleeps better on her tummy. She's also at a much higher risk of SIDS. It's just not worth it to me. Have you tried swaddling her? My LO will only sleep at night if she's swaddled.

nicnac817

I would like to start by saying that I was in the same position as you 2 weeks ago....asking myself what to do what to do.  My decision was to let my daughter sleep how she was comfortable and that was on her tummy.  Not all babies want to sleep on their back! After 6 weeks of her screaming for 3 hours before falling asleep I decided to just flip her over and OMG it worked!  I started off with naps on her belly and eventually felt comfortable enough to put her down for the night on her belly. She is FINE and might I add MUCH HAPPIER!  So keep doing what your doing sister.... why change a good thing?  Beware of the pushy people who will criticize, its your choice.  Congrats on having a good sleeper!

shortysgrrl01

nicnac817:

I would like to start by saying that I was in the same position as you 2 weeks ago....asking myself what to do what to do.  My decision was to let my daughter sleep how she was comfortable and that was on her tummy.  Not all babies want to sleep on their back! After 6 weeks of her screaming for 3 hours before falling asleep I decided to just flip her over and OMG it worked!  I started off with naps on her belly and eventually felt comfortable enough to put her down for the night on her belly. She is FINE and might I add MUCH HAPPIER!  So keep doing what your doing sister.... why change a good thing?  Beware of the pushy people who will criticize, its your choice.  Congrats on having a good sleeper!

 

 I wish I could "like" this. I have come under some criticisim myself because of my decision but I also started with naps before putting her in her crib on her belly for the night.

IncognitoSuperhero

nicnac817:

I would like to start by saying that I was in the same position as you 2 weeks ago....asking myself what to do what to do.nbsp; My decision was to let my daughter sleep how she was comfortable and that was on her tummy.nbsp; Not all babies want to sleep on their back!nbsp;After 6 weeks of her screaming for 3 hours before falling asleep I decided to just flip her over and OMG it worked! nbsp;I started off with naps on her belly and eventually felt comfortable enough to put her down for the night on her belly. She is FINE and might I add MUCH HAPPIER!nbsp; So keep doing what your doing sister.... why change a good thing?nbsp; Beware of the pushy people who will criticize, its your choice.nbsp; Congrats on having a good sleeper![/quote

Exactly! I totally agree. Our little guy sleeps on his tummy since 8 weeks and he sleeps really well. We keep the monitor right by us, he lifts his head, can roll over, and switches sides of his head often. Do what YOU are most comfortable with. A rested baby is a happy baby. Baby's need rest do they can grow and learn and develop. You'll always get flack, but you've gotta do what's best for you and LO.

Ramirezfam11

my baby boy is the same way he does not like sleeping on his back, he would wake up all the time. so i tried him sleeping on his tummy for naps and he slept for 3 hours until its his feeding time & he picks up his head to start moving & crying to let me know to pick him up. So now for bedtime we do the same thing & he sleeps way better than on his back. but i still watch & hear him in between becasue his cradle is right next to me by my bed. As long as my LO can sleep then by all means will he sleep on his tummy to get the needed sleep he needs.