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Tummy Sleeper VS. Back Sleeper

texasmommietexasmommie member
in Babies: 0 - 3 Months
So I have read how tummy sleeping is a no no... however when we were growing up.. most of our parents put us on our tummies as it was the "right" thing to do at that time.  My LO doesn't seem to sleep well at night.. but I noticed she always loves being on our chest sleeping.. so I tried laying her in her bassinet on her tummy and she actually sleeps a lot better than on her back.  Would I be horrible laying her on her tummy?  She sleeps in our room right now next to our bed.. so im constantly checking on her..I would just like opinions of any one else putting babies on their tummies to sleep?
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Re: Tummy Sleeper VS. Back Sleeper

  • Littlemama01Littlemama01 member
    My dr mentioned something about babies who back sleep then get switched to tummy sleep and that it is cause for a higher risk because it's putting pressure on different pressure points. (as opposed to tummy sleep from the get go)

    I didn't pursue research, just have LO on his back, but before switching you might want to look into it.
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  • EveC08EveC08 member
    Its true they tend to sleep better but its not worth the risk. Here is a link you should consider reading regarding your question.  https://sids.org/nfeaturedques.htm
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  • EmR22EmR22 member
    I think you alone have to decide if it's worth the risk. Personally for me it's not. 

    When my DS has a bad night of sleep we play around with whether he's swaddled or not, inclined or not, whether he's too hot or too cold. IMO I would be playing with that kind of stuff before trying tummy sleeping. 
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  • Ninjamama86Ninjamama86 member
    My LO has napped on her stomach before. For me, I just make sure there aren't any blankets for her to get tangled up in and she has enough head/neck control. I noticed she likes to sleep like I do, making a pillow out of her arms. Totally a personal choice, and I'd probably recommend not listening to any of us and talking to your pedi to get an idea for when they think it's safe to be left unattended like that.
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  • kelli&davekelli&dave member
    my baby prefers to be on his tummy also. i let him nap that way a lot of the time. it's the only way he will actually sleep his crib. and i want him to get used to sleeping there comfortably. but i would be nervous unless i was there and checking in often. that being said, he will NOT lie flat on his back. in order for him (and me) to get good sleep at night, he sleeps at an incline. usually we use the seat that attaches to our infant swing. it's adjustable and provides just the right position for him, but a small pillow under the pad in the bassinet works too.
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  • PrimRoseMamaPrimRoseMama member
    JaysonandKristin said:

    We all take calculated risks everyday.  


    This one isn't worth it to me.  
    Agreed. I read an article (trying to find it) that the reason babies sleep better on their stomachs is because they sleep deeper. This is dangerous because parts if the brain responsible for rousing & breathing are still developing. Add an immature diaphragm & such. Nope nope nope.

    Babies sleep deeply but cannot awaken themselves if they get in trouble. Also, no head control = suffocation hazard.

    Results are results. When half the babies stopped dying when Back To Sleep started? That's more than coincidence!


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  • PrimRoseMamaPrimRoseMama member
    "It is thought that some babies sleeping on their stomachs may have a greater tendency toward sleep obstruction and rebreathing their own carbon dioxide because they are less likely to rouse themselves to change head positions. "

    https://m.kidshealth.org/parent/growth/sleep/sleepnewborn.html

    "The new study, based on an analysis of 568 known SIDS deaths in San Diego County from 1991 to 2008, finds that the percentage of SIDS infants placed to sleep prone (on their stomachs) decreased from 85.4% to 30.1%, and those found prone at the time of death decreased from 84% to 48.4%."

    "Recent studies suggest some infants may be vulnerable to SIDS because of a deficiency in serotonin, a brain chemical that helps regulate breathing, temperature, sleeping, waking and other functions. Serotonin normally helps babies respond to high carbon-dioxide levels in sleep by helping them wake and shift head position. When face down, exhaled carbon dioxide may pool in bedding and be breathed back in."

    https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/health/wellness/story/2012-03-26/SIDS-is-down-but-back-sleeping-is-just-part-of-the-message/53782664/1

    Really, I am highly against tummy sleeping.


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  • rimjobrimjob member
    Cam wouldn't sleep for longer than 15-20 mins on his back in his crib.  He slept fine in his bouncer or swing though so I broke down and bought a rock n play.  He sleeps for long periods of time now.  I have been on both sides of this.  With my daughter I let her sleep on her tummy from 7 weeks on.  The thought of what could have happened makes me sick to my stomach now.  It is just  a risk I will never take again and I'm very fortunate that nothing happened.  Once you start really researching it it becomes pretty clear what a huge and unnecessary risk it is.  I know we need sleep but I would try anything else.

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  • huntjulhuntjul member
    I wouldn't consider putting LO to sleep on her stomach. Side sleeping I hear is okay.
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