sleepy on tummy

[suddenlyamama]

So, my babe has GERD pretty bad. And she sleeps (naps, not night time heavy sleep) on her belly. She is able to calm down better this way, otherwise her GERD is really upsetting her.
Is tummy really that bad?

[KaliShanti]

My kids slept on their tunnies from about 4 months on. Helped them a ton! How old is your babe?

[ShanaV]

I'd think sleeping on the tummy is fine as long as she's not left unattended. The problem that back to sleep is meant to address is the chance of SIDS, right? So, I'm comfortable leaving my kids like that as long as I can make sure they're still breathing and whatnot.

[jenfl]

We also went to tummy sleep at 1 month because of reflux. We did the research on risk factors, figured that Sprout's risk of SIDS went from .75 in 1000 to 1.5 in 1000 while the chance of both of us going crazy from lack of sleep was 999/1000... and went for it. I still spent the first month waking up in a panic and checking on him. Once he got stronger, I didn't worry nearly as much.

It's really a personal decision. Back sleep has reduced SIDS rates for the large population; your individual risk goes up very slightly. But it DOES go up.

[suddenlyamama]

Hmm, thanks mamas. Little G is 6 weeks old. Last night we sat around wondering what we should do about her nasty reflux and put her on her tummy. She goes back and forth between cosleeper and cosleeping with us. Tummy worked ok, but still a bit worried.
She has a stronger neck and since she EBf's with my rather bosom breasts, she has had to learn how to breath. I hope she will remember to do this in case she ever panics in her sleep.
SIDS is so scary and horrible. Way more anxiety than Mamas can handle!

[Youngfrankenstein]

Babies have been sleeping on their tummies for many years. All of my babies have been tummy sleepers.

If you have a non-smoking home, are breastfeeding, and your child is healthy otherwise, I see no problem.