how should you lay a baby when you put them to sleep, to prevent SIDS?

Question

I've heard different things,even on tv commercials.... stomach or back?

Answer 1

SIDS CAN NOT BE PREVENTED.
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. My daughter also had a pacifier in her mouth when she died, so I guess that theory is also just that "A THEORY", as I know a lot of babies that died of SIDS that had a pacifier in their mouth from my SIDS group.

Answer 2

Now how they recommend you prevent sids is that you lay the baby on their back, remove any pillows, stuffed animals from their crib, and to dress them in a sleeper instead of a blanket.. but if you using a blanket, than you need to tuck the foot of it in so the blanket is not loose and the blanket is no higher then around their tummy so they can't be pulling or shifting the blankets. Now back in the day they said the stomach, but I guess there's been more cases of sids on the tummy so now they decided "back to sleep"... But in all actuality there's nothing to really prevent it, but those are some of the things that you can to reduce suffocation. But don't worry, you and your baby will be just fine.

Answer 3

You should lay a baby on it's side when you put them to bed. I had a special wedge type of device with my 3rd child. It was made of 2 foam wedges, one larger than the other, covered with a cotton material with a strip of the material to hold them together. You just place the infant between the wedges with his back against the larger wedge. I always made sure to switch sides every night. You can find them in specialty baby shops (maybe even Target or Wal-Mart). This prevented the baby from rolling in either direction. The child can neither suffocate on the mattress or on it's own spit up. You could also place a small pillow behind the child's back so that he is not laying flat on his back. Be sure to dress the infant in snug sleepers and use no blankets, stuffed animals, or top sheets. Also, make sure that the mattress sheet is tight. When the child is able to roll over remove the pillow or wedge and lay on the back to sleep.

Answer 4

nobody really knows even though they say they do both my kids loved to sleeping on there bellys doctors say no to this but like I said they have no clue what even causes sids. one year they want babys on the backs the next on there side the next on there bellys. I was so afraid of sids that bothmy kids slept next tome in there basinet.my son did choke on his back he is ok and now 9months and still sleepson his tummy

Answer 5

Laying on the back without any loose blankets or pillows is the best way to help reduce SIDS.

Answer 6

the best way is to go to walmart and buy a sleep positioner (i prefer the one with the air pockets so the baby dont sweat) and LAY THE CHILD ON THE BACK AWAY FROM ANY LOOSE ARTICLES IN THE CRIB OR BASSINET. and HAVE no additional objects in the crib.

also when you buy the sleep positioner adjust it to a size that your child will NOT ROll!!

to keep the child warm use a bunting instead of a blanket.

Answer 7

The current recommendation is to put babies to sleep on their back and just FYI newest research is showing babies who use pacifiers are at a significantly decreased risk of SIDS :)

Answer 8

The recommendation now is to put your baby to sleep on his/her back. Although the side is ok too if you use a sleep positioner. My daughter slept on her side due to trouble from acid reflux.
The tummy is only okay after the baby can lift his/her head on their own when laying flat on their tummy.

Answer 9

when my baby was born me and her father had this debate. we met with the ped and he explained to us why it is important to face babies upwards. we had a long discussion w him and he explained how newborns have not yet mastered breathing. and mentioned that they get too comfy on their tummy and go deeper into sleep and may forget to breath. this he said is the number one cause of sids. our baby was rolling onto her tummy by three months and we were told she should be face up until at least six months. most sids incidents occur between 2 and 4 months. we let her sleep in her infant carrier seat to avoid her rolling. (this was also good for her reflux) by five months we let her do what she pleased. you need to talk to your ped about this and give him all the info you have on the diff opinions. again the best advise i can give you is to PLEASE talk to your pediatrician. Good luck =)

Answer 10

The back is always the best, do not lay loose blankets and any pillows or stuffed animals in the crib or bassinet with the child.