How many of you let your babies sleep on their stomach?

Question

My baby sleeps really well on her stomach. but the pediatrician only wants me to let her sleep on her back which she doesn't do well with at all. How many of your babies sleep on their tummies and have you had any problems with it?

Answer 1

If your child sleeps better on her stomach then let her. Start off trying it only at nap time when you can sit there and can monitor her. Take all that extra crap out of the crib so she isn't sticking her face in a stuffed animal or a pile of fuzzy blankets. Then progress at your comfort level. That is what I did. As soon as she learns how to roll over she is going to do it on her own anyway, if that is how she likes to sleep.

Do what works for you and your child, don't let people scare you by telling you your child will die because of it. Sadly, yes babies have died but they have also died while sleeping on their backs. 20 years ago they told us that babies had to sleep on their stomach now its their back and 20 years from now they will come up with something different to say.

I hope you and your baby have a great nights sleep:)

Answer 2

My daughter was a preemie, so for the first 2 or 3 months, she slept in a sleep positioner on her side. However, then she started sleeping fitfully, or refusing to sleep at all, unless she was on her belly. So, now, that's how she sleeps. She's 5 months old, and seems to be doing fine with it. If you're concerned about a baby sleeping flat on their belly, a trick I learned from the pediatric unit at the hospital (when visiting my cousin and her baby...my daughter has not had any health problems, knock on wood!) is to put a pillow underneath your crib mattress. It provides a little bit of lift to tilt the mattress, and if it's under the mattress, it's not a smother hazard for your baby. My daughter prefers to be flat, but I think it's an awesome idea!

And you know, they change their minds about how babies should be placed every few years. When my brothers and I were babies, we had to be placed on our tummies, and we are all still around and doing quite well at 24, 17,15 and 13.

Answer 3

You didn't mention how old she is?
It's proven that babies sleeping on their backs reduces the incidence of SIDS.
Of course, once babies can roll over consistently - usually around 4 to 7 months - they may choose not to stay on their backs all night long. At this point, it's fine to let babies pick a sleep position on their own.
Speak with your pediatrician, I'm sure your daughter is not the first infant to prefer stomach sleeping! He/she may have some recommendations from others' experiences.
Congrats and good luck!

Answer 4

Mine does...and has since he was like a month old...he was not comfortable any other way, and had so much gas it was the most comfortable way for him. I have never had a problem with it, and his Dr used to ask how he slept, and I'd tell him. He never advised me otherwise. He said if he slept better on his stomach than to let him..i just checked on him every so often, and he slept in a bassinet in my room for quite a while. he is 6 months now and sleeps on his tummy still but is able to control himself and roll over alone so i dont worry as much.

Answer 5

My oldest slept on his back and still does. My middle one hated being on his back so much that at 3 DAYS old, he could flip from his back to his front. He would do this at night and none of us were getting any sleep. Finally, at his 2 week check up, the pedi told me to let him sleep on his tummy. We did and he slept great. He is 4 and still sleeps on his stomach. My youngest has slept on her tummy since pretty young too.

Answer 6

I'm a nurse in a newborn ICU. The first thing we warn against is putting a bub to bed on it's stomach. When babies are old enough to roll over and back again, then tummy is fine, but not for wee ones. None of my bubs were put on their tummies, because I have seen first hand the devastation of doing otherwise. Do you want to go in and find your little one blue and not breathing because you chose to ignore sids policies? There are going to be heaps of parents whose babies slept on their tummies and are fine, but it really is not worth the risk.

Answer 7

it depends on age-since mine was able to roll over-about 6- 7 months old-she's been a tummy sleeper ever since. I believe that they(professionals) warn against it until about 12 months, but no one is going to get a good nights sleep is you are flipping her like a pancake every 20 mins. You know your baby better than anyone-go w/ your gut.

Answer 8

If you want to put your baby to sleep in 20 seconds you must get the "Instant Baby Sleep" MP3 sound track. Here is their official web-site: http://www.instantbabysleep.net

The sound track gently produces energy over the full human hearing spectrum with an embedded pulse that gently eases the brain to the Alpha state well known for drowsiness and sleep induction.

Answer 9

both my children would always calm down only their stomach. my second who is 4 months old, has slept on his stomach from 10 days old. i was really worried in the beginning, but it was the only way he would stop crying and sleep, so i let him, but kept constant watch over him. it probably calms their stomach if they have little pains or something that's why they like it. i haven't had any problems with it, with none of my kids.

Answer 10

it's not really up to anyone but the baby once he/she can roll onto their tummy and vice versa. Baby's sleep fine on their stomach as long as they can roll back onto their belly's. But.. yeah my two kids slept better on their stomachs from bith than on their backs. And they are still alive thank god.. no SIDS in our family.