Does anyone else let their baby sleep on her stomach?

Question

My baby is 6 weeks old and is way more comfortable on her stomach. She doesn't sleep as long on her back and is always getting startled. As long as I check on her, is her tummy safe for sleep?

Answer 1

How many other risk factors are there for SIDS? Is she bottle fed? Does she come in contact with any smokers? These are also risk factors for SIDS. I was too scared to let my babies sleep on their tummies so I swaddled them and laid them on their sides. The side is also not recommended, but babies like to feel the softness of the mattress on their cheeks. Have you tried the side? Look, the baby is yours, you aren't going to do everything by the book, you are going to disagree with some things. Being a mom means making these decisions for your child-you just have to take responsibility for what happens next-you know? You'll get better with more practice. Ultimately, do what feels right, you're the mommy!

Answer 2

My daughter is now 3, but I never, ever let her sleep on her stomach. The risk of SIDS is very small, but if it happens to your baby, it's 100%!! I would never want to think that I may have contributed to it. As horrible as it is to lose a child, it has to be much, much worse to lose a child and know you may have caused it.

Babies do *not* sleep better on their stomachs. The best sleep is one the baby wakes up from. Babies are not *intended* to sleep long and deeply. That is precisely why stomach sleeping is a SIDS risk.

As for whether it is "safe enough"... Do you know infant CPR? Is there someone in the house with you most of the time? If you did discover your baby dead in the crib, would you be able to bring her back *and* call for an ambulance? If not, then it doesn't matter if you do check on her, it wouldn't help.

I didn't mean this to sound judgmental, but I hope I scared you a *little*. It's the facts... (Just to repeat--the likelihood of SIDS is still small; your baby will probably be fine. But it's better to play it safe.)

Answer 3

I haven't had my baby yet but I think it would be fine to let babies sleep on their bellies. I slept on my belly when I was a baby and I'm fine and so are my sisters... When she sleeps at night I'll be putting her on her back but other than that, during the day and when I can constantly watch and check on her I'm going to have her on her belly, Not only so she doesnt get a flat head but also when I was a baby I couldnt hold food down and was constantly spitting up and I would be worried that she would spit up in her mouth and drown or something if she's on her back. So as long as you're checking on her a lot I think it would be fine.

Answer 4

i am a single parent of a 14 yr old and a 6 month old. i let my baby sleep on her stomach because she is stubborn and absolutely refuses to sleep on her back. i never had a problem with my older daughter and i know that to prevent SIDS its better to sleep on their back but ever since my baby was born, i tried her on her back and she wouldnt stop crying unless i turned her over to her stomach. this freaked me out because i was afraid that she would suffocate or something, but with a lot of persuasion from other parents and yes, even my pediatrician, i eventually was able to sleep without waking up every few minutes to see if she was still breathing. my pediatrician said that some babies prefer their stomachs no matter what you try. i told her father about her sleeping on her stomach and he just laughed and said that his parents said the same thing about him as a baby. in my opinion, if you can get your baby to sleep on its back, that's great, wonderful, safer, but if he or she refuses then don't sweat it just be very cautious, the older the baby gets the better they can control their head and turn from side to side. my baby is now 6 months old and is an old pro at turning her head out of harms way. i just make sure there is no obstacles in the crib to get in her way. good luck!

Answer 5

When I am sitting next to my baby (6 weeks old) and can watch him nap, I let him sleep on his tummy. When he goes down otherwise, he is on his back. He also sleeps great in his swing (without it swinging). If it is swinging, he is not as happy, startles a lot and doesn't sleep as well.

Answer 6

i have a 8 month old little boy and a 5 year old little boy. I let both of them sleep on there tummy from birth. They would not sleep good on their back. I just made sure i did not put any really plush or soft bedding in their cribs. They were both fine.

Answer 7

I did that for awhile and did less of it as time went on, just like anything you need to ween them of it, besides she will be too big for you to do that. She is going to have to become use to sleeping on her own. I believe that a company makes a small unit that sounds like a heart beat that you can put in her crib, I believe that it was made for puppies so that at the age of 6 weeks when they were taken from the mother it would not be so traumatic.

Answer 8

NO NO NO NO NO! There is a much greater risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) because young infants can't move their heads enough to breathe sometimes. Their faces get caught in the bedding. There is a big campaign on called "Back to Sleep" to remind parents of the dangers of letting babies sleep on their stomachs. Your baby will be just fine sleeping on her back. PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS ANY LONGER!

Answer 9

I slept on my stomach all the time and so did my cousins. I couldn't get to sleep any other way.You just have to keep a very very very close eye on them. Some people are paranoid about SIDS, it's your personal decision I would say. Do what you think is best, there are some good answers on here... It all depends on you.

Answer 10

My 7 week old sleeps on his stomach sometimes I just lean over to check on him a little more often. Doctor's will tell you that it is good for them to be on their stomachs every once in a while. Just make sure you keep an eye on them. lots of luck with your newborn.