Belly sleeping?

olivj100 · March 2014

My DS is 6 weeks old and he loves to sleep on his belly. I usually only let him do it when I'm awake and ca watch him. He seems to sleep best that way. When can I let him sleep on his belly at night?

lollipoppoop · March 2014

Turn him over. I wouldn't think it would be ok until he could roll over but even then I would place him on his back and if he rolled over then fine.

NenaMarie84 · March 2014

My LO has slept on her back since week 2 and she is now 5weeks. She is much happier and sleeps longer stretches. She is able to turn her head and hold it up on her own easily so we never worried she would suffocate. I did research and the difference between SIDS caused by back sleeping vs belly sleeping was .5%. Plus everyone from our generation slept on their belly, it was the norm. Too each their own though, I think you should do what you are comfortable with.

dairygirl19 · March 2014

My first was a belly sleeper from the start. I let her do it at nap early on when I was around and awake to keep an eye on her. She had really good head control though from Day1 so I wasn't too worried.

By about 4 months she get herself in that position so I quit worrying about and let her sleep on her belly.

My current NB isn't quite as strong as her so he only gets on his belly when he's awake. He prefers his back though so it's NBD at the moment.

My pedi said if they get themselves there it's fine, but before that watch it or don't do it.

Katieblue552 · March 2014

How about skin to skin time? My DD often falls asleep cuddling during skin to skin after a good feeding. How long is it ok to keep her like this? I always feel guilty if I keep her like that for too long but it is so comforting for both of us.

NenaMarie84 · March 2014

ColeRose said:

NenaMarie84 said:

My LO has slept on her back since week 2 and she is now 5weeks. She is much happier and sleeps longer stretches. She is able to turn her head and hold it up on her own easily so we never worried she would suffocate. I did research and the difference between SIDS caused by back sleeping vs belly sleeping was .5%. Plus everyone from our generation slept on their belly, it was the norm. Too each their own though, I think you should do what you are comfortable with.

This is horrible advice. Yes, it was the norm when we were growing up but that doesn't make it okay or safe, such a flawed argument. When we were babies they recommended belly sleeping to reduce SIDS and found it increased the risk so back to sleep campaign took place. It isn't safe until your baby can easily roll belly to back on his/her own.

As I said I did the research and there was a minimal increased risk for SIDS. I. Also said to each their own and do what feels right for you. We are all entitled to our opinion and I was simply giving mine.

Missy0483 · March 2014

As a mother who has lost a baby to SIDS, the advice of letting LO sleep on their belly because the risk isn't much different than back sleeping angers me. I've done my research too and you're wrong, FYI. my son passed when he was 6 months old, placed to sleep on his back and rolled to his belly. He was old enough to lift his head too, that has nothing to do with whether they're old enough either, obviously.

Missy0483 · March 2014

As for the rebreathing thing, that's not the only issue, there's research being done showing problems with the brain stem and heavier than normal brain weights.

PrimRoseMama · March 2014

When baby can get over by themselves if they need/want to. Before then they can suffocate because they are not strong enough to move if they realize they can't breathe.

PrimRoseMama · March 2014

MosyMama said:
@Missy0483 - I'm so sorry.

Oh I'm so sorry , Missy0483

MattysGirl81 · March 2014

I wouldn't have let DS do that at 6 weeks. I think I first started letting him around 5 months, and even then I was paranoid! Get the Angelcare monitor to give you some piece of mind, it keeps track of their movements (breathing) and starts to beep if it doesn't sense movement after 10-15 seconds. That helped give me piece of mind.

Mrs Micka · March 2014

We had that monitor but it was recalled on 11/21/13. The safety recall was due to choking. But if it has been working for you and others, then I am sure it's a good product.

Mrs Micka · March 2014

Thank you for sharing your story with us. I pray that everyday gets less painful for you and your family. Please continue to stay strong and share your story and education on SIDS with others.

Shana2488 · March 2014

And what if your baby won't sleep on his/her back? DS will only sleep on his stomach. How do you propose I get him to do the opposite for safer sleeping?

Also, there have been cases where babies have died of SIDS while sleeping on their backs. These particular cases, such as a friend of mine, had nothing to do with unsafe sleep. The babies just didn't wake up. There IS no protection from SIDS yet. There's only a way to reduce the risks of unsafe sleep.

Frannavaldez9399 · March 2014

Our LO has slept on his belly since day one in the hospital. He will not fall asleep on his back. Sometimes I can lay him in is bassinet on his back after he falls asleep on his belly, but he wakes up within minutes. I've discussed this at length with my drs and they say to just let him sleep on his belly. He has reflux so the GI dr said he would prescribe a belly sleep in that case. The only time I can get him to sleep for longer than 10-20 minutes on his back is by bringing him to bed with me.

olivj100 · March 2014

Thank you so much!!! My son has reflux too and the valves in his stomach don't close all the way so that makes total sense why he loves his belly!!!

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