I am a first time mom to a 10 week old boy. This week I'm visiting my mom in California and she put my son down for a nap on his tummy. He slept the best he's ever slept for a nap! I know that everyone says "Back is best!" but as a tummy sleeper myself, I wondered if my son would sleep better on his tummy. Last night after his last feeding, I put him down on his tummy and he slept the longest and best he's ever slept. I just wanted to hear feedback from other moms who may have tried putting their babies down on their tummies. I don't want to be nagged about always putting him on his back. The problem he has on his back is that his hands move a mile a minute, even in sleep, and he is constantly whacking himself in the head... then wakes up screaming. Even with a full tummy, the longest he sleeps on his back is three hours.. which is not enough for either of us! Thanks for your feedback.
Not worth the risk. Niether of my boys liked sleeping on their backs either but it wasn't long before they could roll over. Sleeping on their backs is safest.
My third would roll over and sleep very well on her tummy. I think the key I've read is that when they are old enough to roll over on their own they're usually past the high risk SIDS period.
During the day, if you can keep a good eye on him, do so if he's on his tummy. Co-sleepers have a lower SIDS incidence because babies are slightly jostled and disturbed enough NOT to fall into that deep, deep sleep related to SIDS. So if you are co-sleeping, you have less to worry about.
Honestly, you have to do your own research and find your comfort level with everything in parenting. Good luck!
Hi N. -
This is such a personal decision - I think you are wise to explore the question. I found my daughter slept so much better on her tummy. She was a preemie by 6 weeks, and had gastric reflux that resulted in pneumonia twice before she was two months old. After the second trip to the intensive care unit, I just started letting her sleep on her side or her tummy all the time, despite the dire warnings about SIDS. I never discussed it with her doctors, because I did not want to be pressured into doing something that just did not feel right. Sleeping on her tummy helped her so much. I think she had less gas pain, and less discomfort, and she slept a lot better. Good luck to you!
I used to put my baby down for naps on her belly, but never at night since it was such a long period of sleeping. A friend of mine does the tummy sleeping all the time for her new baby, so I guess it's your call. My mom said we grew up sleeping on our bellies and she could never understand the warnings given today, but as long as your baby can keep his head turned and won't turn it face down and suffocate, I'd try it but would check on him frequently the first few nights. Good luck.
I know other people have been talking about the SIDS risks, so I'll just offer some other suggestions. Your baby is still a good a good age for swaddling and you would be amazed at how much good that does. Even if your baby fights it, they still sleep better and feel more secure. And then be sure you are giving him plenty of tummy time during the day so he can strengthen his mussels and learn to turn himself over and then you won't have to worry about it.
not worth the risk. It may seem ok and easier, but if something happens, you will never forgive yourself. It won't be long before he can roll over. In the meantime, try the swaddling, it works very well if you do it correctly.
I know it's a big no-no but both of my girls (now 5 and 2) slept on their tummies. They didn't like sleeping on their backs and as soon as they were able to turn themselves onto their tummies they would. They are still tummy sleepers.
Babies always sleep better on their tummies. I'm sure you'll hear stories of people who did this and their babies survived. What I have read told me that there is a greater chance of SIDS when a baby who is put on their tummy after learning how to sleep on their back. Please put your son down on his back, death of babies is way down since doctors started recommending this. Try letting him sleep in a swing if you want longer sleep sessions, my 9 week old sleeps great in there although I am trying to get her to sleep sometimes in the crib. SIDS is at the highest risk between 2-4 months. I wouldn't want something terrible to happen after your years of trying. Sorry if I seem like I'm "nagging" but I'm just terribly worried about it with my own baby. Sleeping on their side sometimes helps babies sleep better, definately did with my first.
After thinking some more, let me add this:
1. It's BECAUSE babies sleep so well on their tummies that you shouldn't let them: when they have a problem they don't wake up, and
2. Pretty soon he will be able to flip on his own and then it's okay for him to sleep on his tummy.
Hi N.!
Like someone said below, this is a personal decision. But I found *GASP* that my children slept better on their tummies too. Despite the dire warnings, my children soothed themselves and went to sleep on their tummies from about two months on. They both slept through the night regularly from then on. SIDS is unfortunate and a terribly sad thing... I can't imagine the pain of the mothers that have been through this. From my research, I have found that babies are at a higher risk if they are preemies, live in a smoker's house, or are African American. Just something to keep in mind. But as for as the tummy sleeping goes... our house was much more rested once the boys slept on their tummy. I think that many more moms do this than you might expect.
