Any tummy sleepers?

Question

Considering the recent "Back to Sleep" campaign, I am wondering how many parents out there still let their babies sleep on their tummies?

My first son only slept on his back. I made sure I followed the "rules" as a first time mom. We had alot of trouble with him flailing his arms about, and he hated to be swaddled. He always woke up very easily. Now with my second, I experimented with letting him sleep on his tummy for a nap... and he slept so soundly for a good stretch of time. And I watched him like a hawk. He did so well that now it is his preferred position to sleep in. Now that he is rolling over, he accidentally rolls onto his back at night and it wakes him up.

Ok so sometimes I feel guilty because tummy sleeping is frowned upon, but he is doing so well...
I know all about the SIDS statistics, so please don't preach them to me... I just want to know if there are other parents who let their babies tummy sleep as well.
Thanks!

Answer 1

I'm not goign to preach to you because I was the same way with my first one that died of SIDS, she slept on her back and she still died so I say do what is most comfortable for the baby. Don't feel guilty because in reality babies that die of SIDS would have died no matter what position they were placed in to sleep.

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. You should just enjoy your baby 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 6 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. They say it is more likely to happen to males, in the winter months, and african american babies but my baby was a girl, it happened in June, and she was white. I don't buy any of the garbage they try to tell people anymore because more than likely if you do your research and ask people that it has actually happened to you can discredit everything they are saying. Just like the pacifier supposedly reducing the risk, yeah right, my daughter had a pacifier in her mouth and it fell out when she stopped breathing. That is another one that got asked of the mothers in my group and as it turns out the pacifier did not do their babies any good either. Good theory but it is not true, but people will believe anything because it is easier to beleive that something, no matter what it is, is a solution for why babies just suddenly die but they need to get some facts and proof before they start preaching it to people

Answer 2

I'm glad you got through it safely (thank God), but as a childcare provider (10+ infants) I know that all babies cannot sleep well on their backs. I sleep on my tummy as an adult, so I know I had to get there somehow. You're a great Mom for watching like you did, however, most people won't get up and check through the night, so we say back-to-sleep for everyone. A good alternative is side sleeping. But it has it's own risks. The back-to-sleep has a choking risk (think about saliva going down the wrong side, and you cant sit up, or rollover). Caring for a baby is complicated as it is, why make resting so hard? It's all some-will-some-wont if you ask me.

Answer 3

This is a topic I stressed over so much being a new mom. I was so worried and terrified about her spitting up and choking and I was worried about the risks of SIDS with her on her belly. So I would swaddle her and put her on her side. I hardly slept at all bc I felt like I had to watch her all the time. I was beside myself bc she didnt sleep well on her back or on her side. Finally during her naps I would put her on her belly and kept a close eye on her. She slept so well and for longer periods than she did in the other positions. I did a ton of research on SIDS and learned the other risk factors as well. I decided since we were all raised sleeping on our bellies that I would try putting my baby to bed on her belly and also my wise pediatrician reminded me that mother cats dont put their kittens to sleep on their backs. After having baby sleep on her belly at night, it was weird, I started to sleep better at night. I am all about intuitave parenting. I do ofcourse make sure her sheet is tight and tuck her blanket in the side of her crib below her armpits and I still check on her a several times thru the night. I think as mothers we should listen to our hearts. A recent babycenter.com poll states that 33% of mothers put babies to sleep on bellies while 28% sleep on backs. Good luck!

Answer 4

My new child has been a tummy sleeper ever when you consider that she found out the thank you to get herself that way. I actually think of that in the event that they might elevate their heads and that they awaken in the direction of the nighttime, they in all probability comprehend whilst they are actually not getting adequate air to respire. Plus they have been given themselves on their tummies, they might in all probability get themselves off their tummy... while you're worried, use a toddler video exhibit, a toddler digicam, or they even have one that detects circulate and respiration. stable good fortune and do exactly what feels precise to you as a mom.

Answer 5

Yeah.....i know what you mean....my daughter was and still is the same way....when she was just a newborn she either slept on her side or her tummy.....she would wake up as soon as she rolled onto her back......i let her sleep on her tummy all the time....during naps and bedtime and she is a happy, healthily two year old....so if it works for you and your child go with it.

Answer 6

I know what you mean about the first time Mom paranoia... When my first was born I was so paranoid I even went out and spent a small fortune on a top of the range sleep positioner to make sure that she couldn't roll over accidentally... but she absolutely hated it. She would only go to sleep on her tummy, and I'd have to sit there and watch until I could turn her back onto her back... but it only worked until she was big enough to roll herself over...

The first time I woke up and found her laying on her tummy in her bassinette I almost died of fright, in a split second I had convinced myself that she was gone... but she was just fine.

I spoke to the health nurse I was taking my baby to and she said that some babies just prefer to sleep on their tummy. If they do you just need to make sure it's safe for them. Don't put any pillows or blankets in with them... if you need to keep them warm then use sleeping bags or sleep suits... don't give them toys or anything else to sleep with...

She slept on her tummy for ages... now she sleeps upside down with her feet on her pillow, her bum in the air and her teddy over her head... go figure!

I say just go with the flow... if in doubt, get one of those baby monitors that monitor breathing in infants!

Answer 7

My mom put me on my belly and I still sleep that way to this day. When I had my first baby 3 months ago, she wanted to do that to him and I started freaking out but he actually slept really well. He slept like that several times and did ok (under supervision). Now he is just spoiled and will only sleep in his swing. I think it is completely your desicion and you should do whatever you are most comfortable doing.

Answer 8

My babies were tummy sleepers. They just slept better. I always put them to bed and then would say a little prayer every night asking God to protect them. My babies were spitters, too, and like one person said, I was scared they would choke. I think if you're comfortable with it, and try to make sure the bed is free of loose blankets, etc, I don't see anything wrong with it. Just say a little prayer every night!!

Take care!!!

Answer 9

I never worried about it. My kids slept any way they chose in my bed. They did back, front and side sleeping for various reasons. A gassy baby will do best on his left side, during a cold I was sure to put them on their backs and elevate their heads a bit. One of mine slept on her tummy for a while and it occurred to me, but not enough to try to flip her.

Peace!

Answer 10

My son slept on his tummy from 2 months old... Keep the area clear and make sure the clothing is fitting... my son would put his face into the mattress and as natural response, moved his head... that was one thing that would make me soo nervous... as matter of fact he is on his tummy now... lol at 14 months...
Your baby will be fine...
Good luck and enjoy...