My son is 8 months old and I am finding that when he sleeps he now turns over on his tummy. He buries his face in his hands. It looks like is sleeping directly on his face.I know he can still breath because I can see him breathing. I have tried to put a blanket or pillow behind his back, but he just turns over a throws his leg up in the pillow! Should I be concerned about SIDS and turn him back over?
Thank you to all of the moms that responded to my request. I read each and every one of them, and I am happy to report that my son in sleeping soundly through every night (on him tummy most of the time!)and so is his mom!
Once babies can roll over, SIDS isn't really a concern. It's more of a concern when newborns can't lift up their heads. I think it's more dangerous to have a blanket or pillow behind his back. Just let him roll around and sleep how he wants to.
Hi,
Since your son is able to rollover and throw legs around, his chances of getting SIDS is greatly reduced. If he's able to roll back and forth and sit up on his own, no need to worry because he can adjust his body. I used to put my daughter on her side from day one and never ran into any issues. Also I believe after 6 months, the chances of SIDS reduces as well. So relax and don't worry because since he's your testimony as a gift from GOD, I sure HE will not allow anything to happen to him while he's asleep. Believe that and don't worry, he'll be fine :-)
I would take the pillow out of his crib - but otherwise wouldn't worry about it. SIDS is mainly a risk when babies can't turn themselves over to free up their breathing. Your son can do this, so he's probably fine. My 19-month old has a "lovey" that he insists on putting square over his face (!) He's been doing that since he was about 4 months old. I used to take it off, but he would always move it back, so I stopped worrying about it. Just check your son before you head to bed and make sure his nose/mouth is away from the blankets, and don't worry about him :)
K.,
As the other moms have said, since he can roll over and turn his head, the danger of SIDS is reduced.
My little guy wanted to sleep with his Taggie on his face. It didn't matter where he put it, he would move it to his face . . .literally within minutes. I was so afraid, but he was comfortable.
Its so hard not to worry about everything!!
B.
The only thing I can think of is to just make sure everything smooshie and soft out of his crib when he sleeps.
Good Luck!
At 8 months and able to roll over, he's fine. No need to disturb him and change his position.
If he is old enough to turn himself like that, there isn't much you can do. Continue to put him to sleep on his back, but that is it.
The risk window for SIDS goes to around 8 months, so you are pretty safe there. Remember that SIDS and suffocation are two different things- SIDS is something probably rooted in the brain and suffocation is the obvious. Your son is old enough to move independantly and choose his sleeping position, so there really isn't much of a risk of suffocation. He has the presence of mind to throw his leg over the pillow in his sleep so he will also move if he cannot breathe. Good luck.
As long as he is able to roll over on his own, he is fine sleeping on his stomach. It is just younger babies who have trouble rolling over that shouldn't sleep that way.
My Daughter use to do that as well and I know it can be scary! We used the Angel Heart Monitor that detects motion in the crib and an alarm would sound if no motion was detected. It states on the package it is not a SIDS preventor, but it did give us a little peace of mind. In fact we used it for both of our children and just stop after moving our son into a big boy bed this passed spring...he will be 3 in Jan.
I had the same concerns with my oldest son (He is now 9). My doc told me back then not to be concerned that if he is strong enough to turn himself over, he is strong enough to reposition to breathe better. Of course this advice is 9 yrs. old and it seems as though everything has changed. My son did just fine. My youngest (15 mo.) was a bit older when he started rolling over in bed. He also had done fine. I wouldn't worry to much but if you just can't shake it, give the doc a quick call and tell them. Ask them if it is a problem and if so how to handle it. My doc will usually answer such questions right over the phone. Good luck. Shannon
My son has slept on his belly ever since he could. Sometimes he wakes up and has a big red hand print on his face (it's sad but extra cute). Don't worry about it!
The high risk of SIDS, especially in boys, is 4-6 months. As soon as he can turn himself over, he's fine! You are putting him in more danger by putting blankets and pillows in that could suffocate him. The recommendation is 2 years before giving him a kiddie pillow (not as big as an adult pillow). Most babies do start to sleep on their tummies as soon as they can roll over, and it's true that many babies sleep better that way. Don't worry, he's fine:)
He is perfectly fine sleeping on his tummy at this age. It is only a concern when they are too young to turn over. Many children prefer tummy sleeping at this age. Don't worry!
G. M
