I've always put my baby to bed on his back, he's 6 months old now, and he's started flipping onto his stomach in the middle of the night, and he usually goes back to sleep, but I'm always afraid he'll end up smothering himself in his sleep. Should I really be worried?
2006-07-13 11:54:00 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
If he's flipping himself over, he is almost certainly *not* at risk of smothering. Babies--even newborns--have remarkable powers of self-preservation. In fact, suffocation is a *very* rare cause of death among babies!!
The more serious risk of stomach sleeping is SIDS (dozens of babies die every year in the US from suffocation, but *thousands* of SIDS). It is the reason that current recommendations are to put babies on their backs to sleep. (In fact, it *also* protects against suffocation deaths, but that's a fringe benefit, not the primary reason.) Highest risk of SIDS is 2-4 months old. By 6 months, the risk is very small. And it is over entirely by 12 months old. I have seen no evidence that the ability to roll over protects babies from SIDS per se, but it happens at about the same age that the risk drops. The usual recommendation is to put babies to sleep on their backs until they can roll over by themselves, then let them choose their own sleeping position.
2006-07-13 21:53:24 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No! Babies learn to flip and they will do it all the time, neither one of my kids liked to sleep on their backs. My oldest one is now 13 and still sleeps on his belly as well as my 15 months old. Just make sure there is nothing like pillows, stuff dolls or blankets around the crib.
2006-07-14 02:49:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should be worried as long as there aren't an excessive amount of pillows or blankets in the crib while he's sleeping.
If you have him in the bed with you, make sure the area is clear of pillows and such - there will be less chance for suffocation.
My son is about the same age and he likes to roll - alot
2006-07-13 12:01:24 · answer #3 · answered by Ayannali 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. But now-a-day it is recommended that all stuffed animals, blankets and any other bedding that could accidently smother a baby be removed from the crib.
2006-07-13 12:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by WyrdWolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all. Babies find there own comfort by this age and it seems he`s more comfortable on his tummy.
Babies are said to be put on there backs in case they cant turn their heads to one side if there sick in the night or unable to breathe.
By 6 months, yoiur son is certainly able to turn his head if he needs to. Just make sure there`s no soft toys in his cot whilst he`s asleep as they might get in his way - and that the cover are tucked in so he cant kick them about.
2006-07-13 12:01:02 · answer #5 · answered by fizzybubbly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I wouldn't be worried. Once they learn to flip over you really can't stop them. Just keep the crib clear of pillows and stuffed animals and such so he doesn't hurt himself. Soon he will be flipping back over onto his back and you will find him all over the place in the crib every morning.
2006-07-13 12:01:01 · answer #6 · answered by nana4dakids 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, just keep the pillows out and cover him with a light blanket. Put him in warm PJs instead of a heavy blanket. There is no way to really stop them from rolling over.
2006-07-13 12:00:35 · answer #7 · answered by Molly R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No honey as long as there are no pillows in there. My baby does the same thing and so did my 10 year old. Just check on him and make sure the blanket is away from his face and he will be just fine.
2006-07-13 12:04:58 · answer #8 · answered by Kookie M 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't have to worry if he knows how to turn his face to one side when he flip. My son also flip when he is 5mths old. He like to sleep in that position. So i will always monitor and check on him. Pls don't put any blanket and pillow any where near him.
2006-07-18 19:10:23 · answer #9 · answered by 7kiki6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
wow I'm going through the exact same thing. My baby just started flipping over and I'm so worried that she'll smother herself overnight!
how is your baby's neck control? when he's on his tummy can he hold his head up well?
since my baby started flipping over, I gave her more play time on her tummy and it has helped make her neck muscles a little stronger.
LOL, welcome to motherhood...we have a lot of worry and sleepless nights ahead of us ; )
2006-07-13 12:01:46 · answer #10 · answered by sweets 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋