When is it okay for a baby to sleep on there stomach and not worry about SIDS?

Answer 1

First off positioning has nothing to do with why a baby suddenly stops breathing. Suffocation is not SIDS so a baby that dies on its tummy because it was face down in the crib or because of a blanket is not SIDS it is suffocation, not the same thing. They have changed the way they rule a SIDS death and suffocation is suffocation it is no longer considered SIDS. My daughter was on her back and still died of SIDS. I joined a SIDS group shortly after she died and guess what....most of the mothers in my group have also stated that their babies were on their backs, sides, in strollers, swings, etc. There were only a couple on their tummy. If a baby dies on its tummy and it was not suffocation then yeah it was probably SIDS but that baby would have died in any position just like my daughter did. A sudden cesation of breathing has nothing to do with positioning or there would be no babies at all dying other than in just one position. People are so hell bent on this back to sleep stuff that they follow it so cautiously along with everything else they have come up with and then like me their baby dies and they are left saying but I did everything I was supposed to. It doesn't matter what you do. Whatever is causing these babies to stop breathing is beyond our control as parents. It is something you have no control over and if it's going to happen it's going to happen. Your daughter should just enjoy her baby, as should you, and not let this overwhelm you. I've had two more and both of them slept in whatever position they wanted, usually on their stomach, and they are both fine. SIDS has been known to happen up until 1 year but the risk decreases after six months. I know three people in my SIDS group that lost their babies at 10 month and two at 12 months. There are also 2 that lost their baby to SIDS while their baby was awake so it doesn't even have to happen while they are sleeping.

Answer 2

SIDS is always something to be worried about but my son is a tummy sleeper has been since about 2 months old. He is now 5 months and can roll over both ways.

Answer 3

Once he/she can roll over by themselves its fine. I was afraid at first when my son started doing it especially because he would not be able to roll back onto his back. He would roll onto his stomach and then scream. Sometimes we would have to go into his room and roll him back on his back. The stages of SIDS is like this as I have researched it and spoken with my son's doctor. Once the baby is 5 months old and can roll onto his stomach by themselves the risk goes down. But as someone else has said the risk does not go away until the child is a year old. Good Luck.

Answer 4

When your baby can turn over by him or herself. But Sids is something to think about at least 12 mo.

Answer 5

Another thing you can do to prevent SIDS is integrate sound into your babies room. I bought a white noise machine and cranked it up. It helps their brain remember/recognize they are out of the womb and they need to breathe. I also put a radio in his room, between the stations so it made another type of white noise also. We have a neurologist in the family that explained how the baby brain is wired, and that these sounds are beneficial.

You can also read a whole host of articels on SIDS at:
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babyills/sids/419.html

Answer 6

SIDS is still a risk up until they are a year old. But once baby is moving around and rolling over, the risk is greatly decreased.

Answer 7

I also worried about this when my kids were infants, my pediatrician told me that when they are old enough to roll themselves over, they will sleep the way that is most comfortable for them and to not worry.

Answer 8

They say it is ok for them to sleep on there bellies when they are strong enough to lift up their heads (while on their tummies) and turn it side to side. This will prevent them from suffocating in the pillow, blanket, mattress, etc.
As always, you should check in on them while they are sleeping (back, tummy, or side) just to be safe.

Answer 9

We didn't put our daughter on her stomach for sleeping ever. It will be okay when your baby turns themself onto their stomach to sleep. That is how we did it. Our daughter is 17 months old, and when I put her to bed, I still lay her down on her back. She positions herself as she sleeps.

Good luck!

Answer 10

When they can turn themselves over onto their tummy while sleeping, on their own. No one expects you to stay up all night every night flipping your baby back over; the usual rule-of-thumb is, always put them down on their back but once they turn themselves onto their tummy, it's time to let it go.