How do i stop my baby sleeping on his tummy?

Question

When I put my 4 month old baby to bed at night I always put him on his back, but you can guarantee that he is on his tummy when i go to bed. During the day the only way he can get himself to sleep is by laying on his tummy. I turn him back but he goes straight back again. I am worried sick about cot death and really not sure what I can do.

Answer 1

Once a baby can turn over, there's not a lot you can do!! That's why the usual recommendation is to put baby on his back until he can roll over by himself. You could try one of those foam things designed to keep baby from rolling, but it will probably just upset him.

If you are really worried about SIDS (cot/crib death), then first of all, I hope it is reassuring to know that the highest risk is between the ages of 2 and 4 months. It does *not* decrease automatically when baby can roll over, that's the risk for *suffocation*--something completely different!! SIDS is a much more common cause of death than suffocation (for instance, dozens of babies suffocate to death each year in the US, but *thousands* die of SIDS).

In the meantime, do everything else you can do reduce the risk--breastfeed *exclusively* until he is at least 6 months old, put him to sleep in your bed instead of a crib, never let anyone who smokes into your house or near him, and do *not* give a pacifier ever (research has shown that babies who get a pacifier are more likely to die of SIDS on the night when they *don't* have one, and there *always* comes a time when you break or lose the last one right before bedtime). But probably, he'll be just fine.

Answer 2

Hi Chelle,

I know exactly how you feel, I never slept till my sons was about eight months because of worry of COT death.

If baby is rolling over herself this is not something you can stop. It's a natural part of their development a if you've seen the pampers advert you'll know how much a baby moves in it sleep. Restricting baby with "special pillows" should be avoided, you child should be allowed to move freely.

No one really knows what causes cot death, remember at one point mothers were advised to place new borns down on their tummy.

You're child will sleep on her tummy regardless of what you do, that is how she feels comfortable. However you can lower the risk of cot death in other ways.

Monitor baby's room temperature
Ensure there are no loose covers or soft toys in the crib.
Ensure the room is vacuumed everyday
Open the window when baby is not in bed to ensure their is fresh air for baby
Avoid letting anyone smoke around your child or in the house
Avoid using sprays (like air freshener in baby's room)
Do not use cot bumpers
Avoid baby duvets and grow bags before 12 months

I'm sure your midwife or health visitor could also offer helpful advice.

Best Wishes
Deborah

Answer 3

You can buy a form thing that keeps them from rolling over. One of the reasons they say not to let them sleep on their tummy is that they are so flexible, their necks bend so far that it could affect their breathing, plus they sleep deeper on their tummy so are less likely to startle awake if something is wrong. It is tempting to let them sleep that way because they do sleep better, but SIDs deaths have gone down since back sleeping was promoted for a reason. I only let my son do the tummy sleep when I was right beside him while he was sleeping, he went to work with me til he was 4 months old.

Answer 4

They make these things for this. 2 long small cylinder pillows w/ a short piece of cloth sewn in between. the cloth is where you place the baby, and the pillows which are no where near the baby's head and face, are snug on either side of the baby. They prevent the baby from rolling because when they try the pillow thingy is there and baby cant roll. I think they can be bought at any general merchandise store such as Wal-mart, or Costco. Id look at baby stores.

Answer 5

I had that same problem with all 3 of my children once they can roll over to their stomach they will if that is the way they are more comfortable. My pediatrician told me not to worry that at this point the baby can raise his own head keeping his airway open and allowing him to breath my children are 7, 4 and 7months. I just say a prayer every night and let them sleep the way they are most comfortable otherwise you will be up all night.

Answer 6

Once they are old enough to roll over on their own then the risk of sids greatly decrease. Just continue like you are and if he rolls over - then just let him be. Babies on their bellies as a newborn may not have the ability to lift their head up if they are sufficating in the bedding but if he is rolliong over then he shouldn't have that problem. Does he take a pacifier? Recent studies show that pacifiers reduce the risk of SIDS because with a paci they are more likely to sleep light and can wake up easier if they begin to have difficulty breathing.

Answer 7

A big reason I think doctors worry about putting a baby to sleep on their tummy is so that if that spit up or something they do not choke themselves. If your baby can roll over and is laying that way when you check on him I would not worry because if something does happen he would be able to roll himself back. If you are still concerned consult your physician.

Answer 8

check with your health visitor but i'm sure that this is nothing to worry about. you're right in that this is how they recommend babies sleep and i would just keep turning the baby back whenever i saw it and keep putting him to sleep like it. don't get over anxious and make sure there is no soft bedding eg pillows. i have a mattress that allows some airflow beneath the baby which i got from mothercare.
the main thing to remember is that if he can roll onto his front then if he does need to move himself he can!

here's the link to the mattress i have
http://www.mothercare.com/invt/lv3123&bklist=icat,4,shop,shomattresses,matcotmattresses,cotstandardcot56x118cm

Answer 9

I just posted this identical question a few days ago! :) My baby is doing the same thing. Truly, EVERYONE has said (including my pedi after I called her) that he/she has the strength to turn over, he will not smother himself and will turn his head appropriately. They are amazing little creatures and know when they can't breathe. Please remember that SIDS is not when a baby smothers, it's usually just when a baby "forgets" to breathe. Suffocation is another story! I couldn't keep my baby on her back and it made for a very unrestful night. I finally just called my pedi who told me to place them on their back when they go to sleep, but they will find the most comfy position for them and we can't do anything about it :) Hope it helps! I know how scary it is! It gets a bit easier each night that goes by and you see how peaceful they sleep on their tummies and how they wake up just fine :) You know how awful it would feel to lay on your back all night! Ouch!

Answer 10

A pacifier will fix the problem, if you don't want to give him one then you will just have to keep turning him.
If you do give him a pacifier you need to let him have it until he is at least a year old. Taking it from him earlier increases the risk of cot death