Infant sleeping face down in crib...?

Question

My four month old daughhter has alwasy been put to sleep on her back...recently I started laying her on her stomach when she takes naps (only when Im nearby) because it helps relieve her gas...She insists on sleeping with her face buried in the matress...Im afraid she might block her nose and stop breathing...I try to go and turn her head to the side but she alwasy ends up in the same position..anyone else have this problem and if so, do you have any ideas that might help her sleep with her head turned to the side???

Answer 1

I had a baby die of SIDS when she was 5 months old and she was on her back, as was 90% of the mother's babies that are in my SIDS support group. A baby can die from SIDS in any position. There are mothers in my group that lost their baby while in a car seat, stroller, swing, being held, even two that were awake and not even sleeping. You cannot do anything to prevent SIDS because it is not preventable all you can do are things that to help reduce the risks. Everyone (except for people that have actually lost a baby to SIDS) is all caught up on the position of the baby when sleeping. There is more to it than that, like I said most of the mothers in my group had their baby die on their backs. I was one of the many mothers that thought I had nothign to worry about because I put my baby on her back to sleep, didn't smoke or drink, I did everything I was supposed to but in the end it didn't make a difference. I know now that there are a lot more contributing factors since I have had it happen to me. I spent the first year after my babies death doing nothing but research becaus I need answers since I did what was supposed to and it still happened. If a baby is goign to die of SIDS there is nothing you can do to stop it, prevent, or even detect it. You can not prevent something when you don't even know what causes it you can only do things to help reduce the risk of it happening. In the end you do what is best for your baby. I have had two kids since my baby died and they both slept on their tummy, back, side, however they wanted and they are fine. There a couple of mothers in my group whose babies where over six months when they died and when a baby starts rolling over on his/her own you cannot stop them from sleeping how they are comfortable. You just have to leave it in Gods hands and live your life because if you sit around and worry about it you will miss your baby being a baby and before you know it they are teenagers. That's what I realized really quick with my first daugther after the one I lost. For the first month I had her on an apnea monitor and constantly watched her sleep. Then I realized what I was doing was not good for either of us. An apnea monitor is only good for apnea. If a baby stops breathing because of SIDS that baby is already gone because a baby that stopped breathing due to SIDS cannot be revived. There is no such thing as almost dying of SIDS if it is SIDS your baby is gone. I took my daughter off the monitor and a few months so she could sleep without all the wires and an alarm going off because a lead came lose and waking her up. I stopped worrying about it and just decided to enjoy her. My son, who I had 2 years after my daughter, I have never once worried about. It is out my hands so I just do what makes my kids happy.

Answer 2

I know exactly what you mean.

I have two sons aged thirteen and 8 and a new little daughter who is 6 months.

ALL of my babies have preferred sleeping on their tummies.

I am well aware of the risk of SIDS and am also aware they they still have no idea of what causes these unfortunate deaths of babies. Since I had my first child more and more things have been added to the list of things that may cause SIDS.

For whatever reason all three of my babies were born with very strong necks and backs and were able to lift their heads from birth. I know it is unusual, but that is what they were like. And to that degree, all were sitting by four and a half months.

Because they were able to lift their heads I never had any fear of laying them on their bellies and my second son in particular DID JUST WHAT YOUR BABY IS DOING - he would want to lay face down and even when I would move his head to the side he would instantly turn it face down again.

My little girl is now put to bed on her back because if she goes down on her belly she just thinks it is play time however often when I check on her while sleeping or when I hear her wake, she is on her belly.

ONLY YOU can know whether you feel safe letting your baby sleep on her belly and no doubt you know about SIDS and what the risks are.

Answer 3

I put my daughter to sleep on her stomach. I just never put bulky blankets in her crib because it will increase the chance of sids. All doctors recommend that you sleep babies on their backs, or even on their side but if you are careful, it should be ok. Another way to relieve gas is to use gas drops, .3ml every 2 hours.

Answer 4

Hi please never put a baby on its tummy to sleep ,It is very risky to the baby .
A baby should be put to sleep on its back ,If you are having problems with gas (reflux) raise the head of the cot with books or you can buy something specifically for this type of thing .My daughter had severe reflux until she was 18 months old and could never lay completely flat .I always burped her well before naps and made sure she had lots of AWAKE tummy time as it improves muscle tone .A baby should not be put to sleep on its tummy till they have the strength and know how to move about to make themselves comfy about 16 months .Hope this helps x

Answer 5

Have you tried putting her on her side? Maybe you may have to end up putting her on her back during nap times also as it is definitely dangerous for a 4 month old to sleep face down. You don't want to any risk from SIDS

Answer 6

Sleeping on their stomach puts NEWBORNS at risk for sids, by the time a baby is 4 mos old they can move their heard by themselves and even roll over. You are not putting your baby at risk, up until the last 10 years mothers were told to put their babies on their stomach to sleep (and we all lived). The risk of sids in newborns increases slightly (not signifigantly) in infants (who are not able to roll over) who are placed on their stomach to sleep.

Answer 7

Contrary to what most say, I also put my baby on his belly. He sleeps better and it helps with the gas. The way I see it, as long as there are no bulky blankets, pillows, or toys and he/she is able to lift their head and turn it side to side, you're fine. If it worries you that much, use a wedge and have her sleep on her side.

Answer 8

WAY too risky for me to be comfortable with. I would rather have a fussy baby then risk suffication or SIDS.

SIDS babies cannot be revived, even if it happens in the arms of a doctor. It does not matter if you are nearby or not.

Answer 9

She's too young to be laying on her stomach still. The risk of SIDS is still very high.

Answer 10

Put her on her side, you can also buy a sleep positioner to hold her there until she starts rolling around. Don't lay her on her stomach for sleep or bed. Too risky.