[rainbowmoon]

my ds has taken to sleeping on his tummy the last couple of weeks. should I worry about this or is *back to sleep* just for newborns? btw I have been trying to at least roll him on his side but he usually rolls right back to his tummy..should I just leave him be?

 

[BAU3]

how much do you keep an eye on him while he's sleeping?<br><br>
my ds also likes his tummy.. he sleeps on his tummy during his naps on the livingroom floor.. I just keep a close eye on him. At night he's usually on his side or back in bed with me... just his choice.<br><br>
no advise.. just my experience <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[anothermama]

My confession:<br><br>
My babies have both been really large, strong kids........and when they fell asleep on their tummies, I let em stay. Even as newborns.<br><br>
My feelings on it were that a large part of the fear involved had to do with babies who couldn't turn their heads. But both of mine were able to hold their head up from birth. Also, I never sleep far from them (we co-sleep) and I'm careful about the surface they sleep on.<br><br>
This time around, my midwife actually suggested letting my son do it sometimes to help sooth a gassy tummy. And she said the exact thing I'd been thinking........that since my baby was so strong, there was a significantly lower risk for him.<br><br>
All that said, I generally only do it if I can nap or sleep with him, because I am still a little paranoid.

 

[VikingKvinna]

My DS slept on his tummy from 4 or 5 months, and yup, I was paranoid as all get out and checked on him every thirty seconds. :LOL But he could raise his head and roll over, so I felt a little more secure about it.<br><br>
Before that, however, we used one of those foam positioners, which worked great for keeping him on his side. That might be a good idea for you and yours. HTH!<br><br>
~Nick

 

[Alkenny]

I'm of the knowledge that if they can roll themselves over and hold their heads up on their own than they are fine.

 

[rainbowmoon]

well we tried the foam bolster for his afternoon nap today, but he screamed and even tried to roll over one side of it..

 

[CTMOMOF2]

technically they say u should keep them on their back until 6 months... but if he can roll onto his belly and back by himself while awake, then it should be ok... I think the theory is that babies sleep a lot harder when they are on their belly and when in such a deep sleep they "forget" to breath... If you are comfortable with it, and you check him alot, then go for it... some other things are, boys are more prone to SIDS than Girls, SIDS is more likely to happen in the winter than the summer, and SIDS is more prone in babies w/parents who smoke. Meanwhile, i had all of those parameters and my son lived through it all.... I think it is hereditary too...

 

[3 Little Monkeys]

Dd is 7 months now and she has been rolling to her belly during the night for about a month or so. When she was tiny though I put her on her belly - it was the only way she would sleep at all. I asked her ped last month and she said that if dd can roll back and forth on her own, can hold her head up, etc. then she should be fine. I still check on her a few times a night, but she sleeps so well, I don't want to turn her.

 

[ILuvMyBaby]

Yup, only way he would sleep in the beginning.

 

[grandmasgirl]

My ds started sleeping on his back somewhere around 2 months old. Needless to say I was completely paranoid and checked his breathing every 10 seconds but it was the only way he would sleep. I read an article fairly recently that stated a baby will sleep in the position that allows them to breathe the easiest be it tummy, back or side. I have to say for my ds that was true, on his back he always sounded like he had postnasal drip and would wake himself up, on the tummy he is very comfortable and breaths easy. I have to find that article, it was quite interesting - if I do I'll post where it came from.

 

[cmili]

My ds has slept on his belly since he was about two or three weeks old. The only way he sleep.<br><br>
I read the stuff grandmasgirl read, and also have to second what ctmomof2 said.<br><br>
Also remember..sleeping on belly does NOT cause SIDS...and even babies who always sleep on their backs have died of SIDS. (didn't say that to scare, just to put the back to sleep thing into prespective)<br><br>
One more thing, almost everyone my age slept on their belly (that's what dr. told our moms to do) and there are a lot of us around!

 

[crysmomofthree]

My teeny baby slept on his tummy from about two weeks, he had reflux and every time he layed down on his back he would gag and choke and get so upset, but on his tummy he was content. I put him on his tummy to sleep because instinctively I knew he was more comfortable. Eventually when we got to see the specialist they suggested sleeping on the tummy even for a little guy like him (6lbs 5 weeks preemie, he was little)