When can babies sleep on their bellies?

My 3 week old sleeps the BEST when lying on our chest. Not a peep out of her and the deepest sleep. At night and during naps on her back she's quite the grunter/moaner. When are we "allowed" to let them sleep on their bellies? She's been holding her head up pretty well lately if that's a factor.

Thanks!

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

If you ask a ped, they will tell you when the baby rolls from their back to their belly themselves.

DS does this and sleeps a lot better now.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

You have to do what you're comfortable with, but most MDs wouldn't recommend belly sleeping your child until she gets there on her own and can roll over (this could be anywhere from 3-7 months or so. my DS1 rolled both ways at 12-13 wks. my DS2 did when he was 4 months)

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies never sleep on their bellies until they roll themselves to that position by themselves. Belly sleeping is what is viewed as the #1 cause for SIDS. That being said, many moms do put their babies on their bellies to sleep because otherwise, their baby won't sleep at all! I would talk to the pediatrician and decide what you are comfortable doing.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

I tried a million times to get DS to sleep on his back. If he fell asleep laying on us, and I put him in his bassinet, he woke up. He didnt even like the swing, he liked to be cuddled. I talked about it with my ped and they still said to put him his back. My ob suggested trying to put him on his side. Nothing worked, and believe me, I tried it all, sleep postioners, inclines, rolled towel on the side, swaddler, etc. I left him sleeping on his belly. I also pushed the pacifier on him a little bit bc that can help prevent sids. DS is 5.5 months now and still sleeps on his belly fine. Just wanted to share my experience so you dont feel bad whatever you decide.

Oh and these last few weeks he started rolling in his sleep. He will roll onto his back and wake up YELLING until I come in and flip him over, he still doesnt like being on his back!

Message edited 6/24/2010 7:04:37 PM.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

I started putting DS on his belly for naps around 8 weeks old because he had excellent neck control. In the beginning, I would watch him while he slept and it wasn't until I saw that he would move his neck either to the left or right if he ended up face down that I finally felt comfortable to let him sleep in his belly overnight (in his PNP in our room). He's been sleeping this way since 9.5 week old ever since, he's been STTN.

I told me ped and she said that she can't condone it but she feels better about it knowing how good his neck control is and that he's in the room with us, and advised to have a fan on to circulate the air.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

DS would only sleep onour chests as well for like the first 4 weeks. then after that i slowly started napping him on his belly and noticed he slept pretty well. so we started sleeping him on his belly by like 5 or 6 weeks. DH and I slept in shifts. Funny b/c DS wouldnt sleep in his bassinett until he was on his belly. So we kept it in the living room or family room and took shifts sleeping while the other would watch DH.

Then DS started to roll and we were more comfortable.

Lots of parents sleep their babies on their bellies. talk to your PED if you arent sure.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

My 4 week old sleeps on his belly and has since day 1. He will NOT sleep on his back. We certainly tried, and then he rolled to his belly and our minds were made up. My DD did the same thing, so I'm not shocked.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

Since DS was born, he always hated his back. Even now, if h'es on his back, he tries with all his might to sit up. He still hasn't rolled from back to belly, but he's always rolling belly to back. He'll be 5 months on the 5th of next month. I put him to sleep on his belly for the past month or so... just b/c it was easier. He always keeps his head to the side...he hates his face getting warm LOL... but I check on him constantly. DH wakes up at 3am to go to work, so he checks him then...i usually don't go to bed till 1ish. He does sleep on his back form time to time, but only if he's sleeping on me or DH for literally 2 hours...and hoenstly, we just don't have time to do that each night. Plus, he'll wake up and be wired for another 2 or 3 hours...so this just works for us.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

Wow, all these responses made me feel so much better that DD is not the only one who doesn't like back sleeping. I understand having her be able to roll over is very important so I will try to hold out as long as I can. It's just so funny how she'll sleep on me or DH for HOURS on her belly, and when we put her down BAM she starts grunting and moaning and crying in her sleep. Poor little munchkin.

Thanks for all the replies!

Message edited 6/24/2010 8:44:58 PM.

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

DS1 - belly sleeper since 5 weeks old (he's 3 years old now)

DS2 - belly sleeper since 3 weeks old (14 weeks now and STTN for the past 5 weeks)

Re: When can babies sleep on their bellies?

I posted the same thing a few months ago! I was contemplating putting Adrian on his belly too because he wouldn't sleep. Does she sleep well in the car seat? You can try my nap nanny after this weekend. If all that fails, then you may want to try the belly sleeping.