Is it really "bad" for a baby to sleep on their bellies??

Question

My baby, 18 days old, has been up since 4pm.. its now almost 11.. the only way that she will sleep is on her belly.. is it really "bad" for an infant to sleep on their bellies? btw i am watching her so there is no risk atm but if i were to put her to bed like this, when i go to bed is it bad.. i mean when i was a baby i slept on my belly.. so im wondering if there is a real harm in letting her sleep on her belly other than people say not to.. ty in advance for answers

Answer 1

it increases the chance of SIDS....sudden infant death syndrome....so yeah...it could be potentially fatal...but if thats the only way she'll sleep, let her fall asleep that way and then roll her over when shes out.

Answer 2

No its not bad they just say that it puts the baby at an increased risk of SIDS. My son started sleeping on his belly at about 3 months and he refused to sleep on his back so he has slept on his belly ever since. Just make sure she isnt on anything really soft and there are no toys in the bed with her. What I do with my son is just tuck the blanket under his armpits and around his wait and legs so its not all in his face. I think she will be fine, I mean what else can you do if she wont sleep on her back you know. You both need your sleep.

Answer 3

Not 'bad', but it sure isn't the safest way to put your baby to sleep. By the time they're 6 months old, many babies are able to roll from their back to their side or tummy, so there's not much you can do to keep an older infant on her back the entire time she's asleep. But keep putting your baby to sleep on her back anyway until she's at least 1 year old — it's the safest position because it's the one that is least associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The risk of SIDS remains a threat until babies are 12 months.

Preventing SIDS is the most important reason to put your baby to sleep on her back.

Yes there truly is real harm in it. If baby likes to sleep that way, trying putting baby to sleep on your knees by sitting on the edge of a chair or couch, your legs spread apart shoulder width, knees touching, and place baby in your lap with her belly down and head facing away from you. This position supports her and allows you to rock her back and fourth to sleep with your legs. Then gently pick her up and place her in ther crib on her back.

Answer 4

When my son, who is 2 months old, was born he also loved to sleep on his belly. I would let him fall asleep like this and then put him on his back after about 20 minutes. He would always wake up and cry, so we would start the cycle over again. Our mothers all put us to sleep on our stomachs but since the recommendation that babies be put to sleep on their backs the number of SIDS incedences was cut in half. So there is some risk. I talked to my doctor about the fact that my son would only sleep on his stomach and that when he did I would watch him like a hawk, and he told me to not let him sleep on his tummy even if I am watching him and that he has to learn to sleep on his back. So it took some work but he has been sleeping on his back just fine and even sleeps through the night. And now I don't worry so much because he is asleep on his back.

Answer 5

All the doctors will say that having babies sleep on their bellies puts them at a higher risk for developing SIDS. I personally, tried not to put my children on their bellies, but ended up having to do so. Both of my children suffered from acid reflux and could only sleep comfortably on their belly. If I would put them on their back, they would vomit, and that scared me. My children are now 1 and 2 and survived being belly sleepers. I myself was put on my belly to sleep as a child. And you never know...10 years from now they might say that we have to hang out babies upside down for them to sleep safely. Things change with the wind.... Talk to your doctor, make an aducated decision, and then do what you feel is right.

Answer 6

Study after study has confirmed that putting an infant to sleep doubles their risk of dying from SIDS.

But the odds of SIDS is small to begin with.

But you should think of it in the following hypothetical situation...


Your baby is sick and has all the symptoms of orange fever. Left untreated, your baby will die.

You call several friends, all of which tell you that their baby had that same illness recently and were saved by the drug Kilmornol.

So you run to your doctor to ask for a prescription of Kilmornol. The doctor says he can write you a prescription for that drug, but warns you that studies have indicated that 100 out of every 100,000 babies given Kilmornol have died.

He says there is a new drug called Savenyl he can prescribe that will cure orange fever. So far, test have re veiled that only 50 out of every 100,000 babies given Savenyl have died, but it cost 50% more than Kilmornol.

Assuming Kilmornol costs $50, which drug are you going to buy to give to your baby?


SIDS sort of works the same way. You are forced to allow your baby to sleep. You can let them sleep on their stomic, where 100 out of 100,000 day of SIDS, or you can let them sleep on their back where only 50 out of 100,000 die of SIDS.

Answer 7

It has been recommended by pediatrician to have babies, esp infants, to sleep on their back to decrease the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The exact cause of SIDS is unknown but having babies lying on their back helps them breath better and easier. Try to swaddle or wrap your baby because she still is looking for that snug, warm environment when she was in you tummy. You may also use a sleep positioner which could help too.

Answer 8

make sure the baby is on a firm matress with no blankets or pillows. it puts them at higher risk of sids but some children do sleep better that way. maybe let her go to sleep on her belly and then try rolling her over gently after shes good and asleep.

Answer 9

While you are watching her it maybe OK. But then it might become a habit for her, and what about those times in future when you would not be able to watch her. Sleeping on belly is bad and increases the chances of suffocation or SIDS.

Answer 10

No, it is not really "bad" for your baby to sleep on her belly. A few safety steps to take would be to make sure she is on a baby mattress, not in your bed or on a pillow. You want her on a firm surface. Make sure the sheets are fitted tightly and you don't have loose items she could nuzzle into her face and not get out of. Dress her in warm p.j.'s (and socks) so you don't have to worry about heavy/thick blankets. Sleep tight.

Answer 11

Well if she is sick yes. Can she flip over or something. Also if she was a preemie then I would be concerned. Try getting those pillows that allow your baby to sleep on her side that would be a lot better for her than her belly. Cause you never know about sids.