Question about sleeping on tummy

Since everything - and I mean everything - is trial and error right now we decided to put DS on his stomach the other day for a nap in the afternoon. Can you believe the little guy slept for 4 hours?! I was a wreck checking on him every 5 minutes be he was great. Head to the side and he seemed so comfortable. So now DH and I try to let him sleep on his tummy as much as possible except at night. But early in the morning before DH goes to work he puts DS on his tummy after eating.

My question is....at what point does SIDS stop becoming such an issue for babies? Or better yet - at what age can I just let him sleep on his tummy any time he wants?

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

I believe when they can roll, but I am not sure.

My ped told us when we brought DS in at 3 days old to put him on his belly for naps if he slept well that way, but to make sure we could check on him.

I know when I was a baby they had the parents put hte babies on their bellies to sleep.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

Thanks Kate! I am going to mention it to the ped at the next visit. You are absolutely right - DH and I both slept on our tummies as babies - that's all the moms keep saying and to be honest I still do. I love it...guess DS takes after me.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

My ped told me when he can roll over.

But, my DS hates sleeping on his back and will literally go days with no more than little cat naps if I don't put him on his belly. I will put him on his belly in his crib with the angelcare monitor and i check him all the time. When he was in the NICU they put him on his belly all the time and he got so used to it.

I totally understand everything being trial and error!!!! I had no idea why he wasn't sleeping. The 1st time I put him on his belly he slept for 5 hours! Thats when i bought the angelcare monitor and let him sleep like that more.

Message edited 6/19/2007 10:48:07 AM.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

Posted by KateDevine

I believe when they can roll, but I am not sure.

My ped told us when we brought DS in at 3 days old to put him on his belly for naps if he slept well that way, but to make sure we could check on him.

I know when I was a baby they had the parents put hte babies on their bellies to sleep.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

DD slept on her belly for naps since she was a few weeks old. She loved it!!

SIDS risk is highest between 2 and 4 months and decreases significantly at 6 months (probably something to do with being able to roll).

My ped used to advise me NOT to do it, but I was sitting right next to her the entire time.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

DD slept on her belly since she was 4 weeks old....at 4 months, she went into the crib (we co slept until then), and she still slept on her belly, and i wasnt next to her to see or feel if she was breathing....she was fine, is a year old, and i used to worry and worry and check on her, but with each passing day, i worried less and less, and now i dont worry at all obviously....she just loved her stomach and i wouldnt have changed a thing...i wouldnt worry, let DC sleep on belly if thats how he sleeps best...

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

My ped said not a problem for naps and it will help with reflux. My DD hated it though so we never did it. But my ped is old school and I trust her completely so I wouldn't worry as long as you check him often.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

DD LOVES sleeping on her belly - We let her do it for naps and she has the best sleep. . . much better than at night when she's sleeping on her back.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

I think most doctors say a year but once they can roll over there is nothing you can do. My daughter slept on her belly since she was 10 weeks old. I got the angelcare monitor and just let her. It was a rough 1st 10 weeks and once she slept on her belly she slept 10 hours only waking up for one feeding. Only you and DH can make that decision though.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

Ava has been a belly sleeper since she started to roll at 4 weeks My ped. said it was fine, just make sure there were no loose sheets or blankets or toys, etc. Since birth she could pick her head up and turn it side to side, so I felt a little better. Plus, she had bad reflux, and sleeping on her tummy really helped that. I worried and worried for months about it, but she was sleeping through the night, and I would just check on her a couple of times a night, plus, she was right next to our bed. I say use caution, and maybe get an angel care monitor if you're worried. We never did, but many moms speak highly of it.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

Bella has been sleeping on my chest, on her belly since day one. She sleeps like a CHAMP this way! We get at least 4 hours a night, up for a change and feeding then back down for another 4! She's so content that way. She doesn't like to be on her back. We have so much trouble getting her to sleep that way, so we're sticking with the tummy. I'm right there all the time, so I can usually feel her breathing or her little jerks throughout the night.

I didn't mention this to the ped, because I KNOW I'd get in trouble. Especially when she's always reminding us NOT to put her on her belly for sleep.

But it works for us, so...

Message edited 6/20/2007 7:56:27 AM.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

My DS has been sleeping on his stomach since 5 weeks old against my docs advice. He slept better on stomach and hated his back so I went with his wants and needs. Although it was scary I watched him and he always turned his head fine and never put his face into the mattress. Do what you feel comfotable with.

Re: Question about sleeping on tummy

we never put Jacob on his tummy...he just started about 1 - 2 months ago rolling and in the morning, we find him sleeping on his tummy