Afraid My Daughter Is Going to Suffocate in Her Sleep!

I use a sleep positioner for my 5 month when he's in the crib. The one I have has a bumper on each side and he lays on the material that connects them.

You can get an "Angel Pad". It goes under the mattress and detects if the baby doesn't breathe. It will sound an alarm, so you can get to the baby quickly.

If she can roll over, then she can move her head to breath. Try not to worry about it. Just keep all blankets out of the bed so she won't roll into them....no stuffed animals, no fluffy bumper pads. You know the drill. She will be fine. Welcome to motherhood. :) (my mother tells me that even though all her kids are in their 30's and 40's you still worry)

Hi J.! My son is now almost 15 months and he did the exact same thing. I was a nervous wreck because he would always roll over and bury his face in the mattress. I bought one of the video monitors with a 7inch screen so I could see him better and if he was sleeping that way I would go in and turn his head. I also used one of the angel care monitors that senses movement from breathing and that monitor gave me and my husband peace of mind to know he was breathing. We're both in the medical field and with what we see at work we worry so much! Our son stopped doing the "face down" sleeping after a couple of months, but it was a rough couple months. The only problem with the angel care monitor is that we had some false alarms once he really started rolling around to the corners of the crib, but I would rather have a false alarm than the alternative. Hope this helps, I know how stressful it is!

Hi J.,

My son was a stomach sleeper. The first 5 weeks of his life he slept on my chest because he would only sleep on his stomach. Then when I transitioned him to his crib I was pretty freaked out. I did a lot of research and ended up accepting that God gave my little boy to me and if He chose to take him back then I would have to be ok with that. So in my research I landed on the theory about the gasses/chemicals in the mattress and that seemed to make the most sense so I bought this BebeSafe mattress cover which is basically a really thick plastic bag that you put over the mattress to prevent SIDS. And each night I prayed as I lay him down. I did try all the suggestions to keep him on his back, wait until he falls asleep and roll him over (he woke up every time), positioners, etc... Well, he's now 5 and healthy as a horse. We can worry about so many things...

Also, what everyone else is saying about the fact that once they can roll over it's natural and they are now strong enough to not be suffocated.

Do what you can and leave the rest to God!!

Blessings!

My first daughter rolled over at 2 1/2 months so I feel your concern. My doctor told that if they are strong enough to roll over they are able to move their heads around and not sufficate. It's when they get stuck or caught up in something that they get into trouble. So don't worry about her and sleeping on her face because she would have eventually gotten uncomfortable and she would have moved herself. It more important than ever at this stage that you make sure she doesn't have anything in her crib at all. That her mattress is firm and you have a tight fitted sheet on the mattress. Do you have one of those sleep sacks? For the winter I would purchase one of those so you know she is warm enough but don't have to worry about a blanket getting her stuck from rolling over.

J.,
Do you have one of those sleep positioners? I used one on my son even after he started rolling over and it helped me tremendously. He stayed put when he slept and I kept my sanity. He is my one and only child after having 3 miscarriages and I was very freaky about everything in his first year!
I removed it when he turn about 6-7 months old. By then I knen he would turn his head all the time. He is now a healthy 19 month old boy!
Hope this helps!
K.

I totally understand your concern!!!!! Been there, done that and am thankful that I have an Angelcare Baby Monitor!!!!!

We have an Angelcare Baby Monitor that detects movement as well as sound. If the baby stops moving for more than, I believe it is 20 seconds the alarm goes off. While it does not claim to prevent SIDS it will detect the slightest movement including breathing!

When my daughter was 4 months old she began to turn over and her alarm started to go off. The first few times I figured she must have moved off the sensor and thought nothing of it. Well then it went off and kept going and after about the 10th time I went in there and would watch her. She would be sucking her thumb with one nostril in the mattress and the other covered with her fingers. She stopped breathing and did not start back up. I screamed and scared her into it. This kept happening all night. I began to just gently shake her and she would gasp then. In the morning I called the Dr and we were told to bring her to the ER where they observed her overnight and sent her home on a true professional apnea monitor. More than likely it was happening because she was 6 weeks premature and her brain just did not tell her to move to start breathing again until she would hear a loud noise like me screaming :) or being nudged gently.

This monitor has saved my daughters life many times. She also has a rare disease called Mastocytosis and when she has an anaphylactic reaction and goes into shock her temp drops and she barely breathes. This has gone off and told me that she was not moving/breathing although she was but it was so shallow and far apart that the sensor did not pick it up. When I went in there her lips were blue and she was ice cold... her temp rectally was 91degrees. She was taken by ambulance and had to be re-warmed in the hospital with warm IVs and all.

As for preventing it.... I have no clue what to tell you! If you need extra peace of mind check out this monitor. It is expensive brand new but you can usually find them at Once Upon a Child for around $10. Also go to the BabiesRUs website and look at the reviews for this. You will be amazed!! Right now there is 199 reviews for this!

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about this monitor. Good luck and many blessings to you and yours!

My son is now 5-months old and I just went thru the SAME EXACT THING! Your daughter will be fine, just like my son is. Just make sure you put your daughter to sleep on her back (not on her tummy), and if she rolls over on her own...that's fine. Use a sleep sack, remove blankets, stuffed animals, etc. I use to use a regular receiving blanket, but not any more since he can grab it and stick it in his mouth. And face down with something in their moouth, is bad. I also bought a breathable bumper, b/c he was getting his legs stuck in the slats.

Our little guy did the same thing when he first started sleeping on his stomach - he was totally face down. I also reacted a similar way when I first saw it - I immediately moved him over onto his stomach and, of course, he woke up! This is normal and their little noses are even shaped to help them breathe better when they're up against things (the breast, the bed, etc.). Before long, she'll be in all kinds of positions all over the bed when you check on her; since she can move now, she can also move out of positions that aren't working - or let you know if she needs help. Hang in there!

Boy do I understand how you feel! My son is 8 months old and a few weeks ago on two separate occasions, I found him the same way -- completely face down on his stomach. I freaked out too and quickly flipped him over. He was okay but I agree with you -- it just doesn't seem normal at all for anyone to sleep like that for any length of time due to the difficulty with breathing that way (and getting good clean air - instead of breathing back in carbon monoxide from previously expelled air). Fortunately, I have not seen him do this since but it definitely affected my sleep (it seems I've been waking up more in the night just to check on his position). We always start him off on his back in the middle of the crib and he seems to prefer to roll to his right side. We have been trying to put him a little closer to the right side of the crib so that he doesn't have enough room to completely roll over. Since it's cold, we also use a sleep sack and that seems to have helped to keep him from rolling as much. I wish I could be of more help than that but I hope it helps. I definitely can relate though. Best of luck.

When my daughters were infants I used the sleep position aids and neither one liked it either so I would wait until they fell asleep and lay them in it. Good luck.

Hi J.,

I worried terribly about this with both of my children. I was assured that by the time they could roll over on their own, they could turn their heads in order to breathe. And once they can roll over, there is nothing you can do to keep them from flipping over. I saw several responses advising you to use a sleep positioner. I mistakenly used it with both babies, and found out later that they are more of a suffocation hazard than an aid. In fact, one night we got up to check on our son, and he had wiggled completely out of it and it was just sitting there above his head. My husband threw that thing in the garbage so fast. As long as you keep everything out of her crib including bumper pads, you are doing everything possible to keep her safe.

I was raised when babies slept on their stomach because the doctor's said that was best...so when I had my kids I put them on their stomach even though the doctors said then to put them on their side. I put all 4 of my kids to sleep on their stomach and they are fine. From what I have read about sids is that you need to make sure your crib mattress is firm,new and has no cracks or cuts in it. Your baby will turn her head to breath. I heard it was something about chemicals in the mattress that would overcome the baby. But I am sure there are many theories to sids. I think if she is able to roll around she will be fine. I wouldn't try to confine her to laying on her back. She needs to progress in development...and she has mastered rolling over. There are video monitors now, you could get one of those to watch her while she's sleeping. Good luck, I know I was paranoid with each of my kids till they were older too. It's just part of being a mother...we love our little ones so much!!!!

Hi J.!
I know this can be very scary, but I don't think you need to worry too much. My now 8 month old did the same thing when she learned to roll. I had always put her on her back to sleep, but once she learned to roll, she became a "face-down sleeper"... and still is! I just make sure that I put her to bed in a sleep sack (to eliminate the need for blankets), and don't put anything else in the crib with her. I make sure that her fitted sheet is on snuggly, say a prayer every night for her health and safety, and let her drift off to sleep! :-)

please, for the sake of your sanity and your baby's, just relax. Its normal and she WILL turn her face. She will be fine.
Just enjoy motherhood while she is little cause the time goes fast and you'll regret stressing about everything. Babies ARE made to survive....:)

Your doctor is right; they really do figure out how to turn their heads by the time they learn to roll over. But for your own sanity you can purchase a wedge or make one of your own, by just rolling a blanket and propping it behind her so she doesn't roll too much.

There are sleeping blocks/wedges that can prevent her from turning over. I am worried that your fears will remove your joy in parenting. I know all the horrible things that go wrong in a childs life. I lived through several. I hope you can find the strenght to help yourself know that you are doing the best possible job a parent can. Great Mom's have things happen to there children no matter what we do to protect them. The best part is we all survive.

Everyone tells you not to worry, but it can be an issue. I say get a second opinion from a respiratory doc at a children's hospital. It will really put your mind at ease. We had a sleep study on my oldest when he was a baby. When you are worrying you cannot sleep and that takes a toll on your interaction with baby time. Good luck!

Hi J.,
If the baby is strong enough to roll over than she is strong enough to move her head to the side so that she can breathe. Just make sure there are no toys, pillows or blankets by her head in the top half of the crib. If you are really worried you can buy those motion detector monitors that have an alam if the baby stops breathing. Don't freak out if it goes off, they often times go off by mistake.

I actually freaked out the same way when my son was that age! I called the nurses station where my son was born and they said if he was strong enough to do that- he was fine on his stomach.

First of all, congrats on your new baby daughter! :) Now, take a deep breath and relax :) It's so hard with first babies. I remember being worried that I would not hear my first cry, and actually setting my alarm to make sure I would wake up to feed him every wo hours LOL, and being worried about him rolling over, and everything :) With my second I was much more relaxed, and I'm sure if I ever have more, I'll really just go with it :) That being said, your pediatrician said it was okay, and let's remember most of us were actually put to bed on our tummys, and most of us were just fine. I know it's hard not to worry about stuff like that, trust I can be a queen champion of worriers, particularily when it comes to the well being of my children, and particularily when I am not sleeping well, because I am worrying, and the cycle goes on and on. Go with your gut, if the sleep posistionerr makes you feel better about her well being, then by all means do it, your just gonna have to live with the protests from her, the other thing you could try is letting her sleep in her car seat in the crib. Most kids love their car seats, they can't roll in them, but they are snug...I opted for this route with my second, because it was one of the few things that helped during the collicky spells. Go with your gut, and hang in there, it will be okay :)

She'll be fine - no need to worry! I'm going to guess that, since she can roll over she can also do the little 'mini push-up' too. These are both indicators that she has the strength and coordination to move her head/face if needed.

If you slept for a period of time in your face, you'd probably have marks on your face from being face down right? Ever wake up with those pillow or sheet marks on your face? That's really all it is.

I second the suggestion to use a video monitor. I have one for my son(who is 3) and have found it very useful for lots of reasons.

I would avoid those sleep positioners. They are marketed to parents who are concerned about SIDS, but I have read that they are actually dangerous, as they can suffocate a baby. Check out any non profit SIDS education organization--they will to say to avoid sleep position aids.

My 3.5 month old just learned to roll over, so I hear your concern--I would have the same concern, although the pediatricians and books say that if they can roll over, they'll be fine. If they end up sleeping on their stomachs, it's OK, but they should start off on their backs. I think at this age, your daughter will start to cry if she's getting uncomfortable or can't breathe. We still swaddle my daughter, as it helps her stay asleep and keeps her from rolling over. I think it's fine to do this for sleep--she has plenty of time to work on rolling over when she's awake.

This stage should only last a few weeks or so and then hopefully she will stop rolling over or will get more comfortable on her stomach.

Don't worry. Ever since my daughter was able to roll over she has always slept on her stomach. She would sleep with her head face down, into her bumper, etc. At times I would go to lay her down and before I would touch the mattress she would be rolling over to go on her stomach. I was a little nervous at first, but I knew that she would turn if she couldn't breathe. I have a monitor that has a camera and that is it. My daughter is now 15 months and still sleeps on her stomach. I guess what ever is confortable is how they will sleep.

This is only the beginning of your stress and worry mommy. She'll be fine. Make sure the sheet isn't bundled or anything else in her face. You don't need to pick her up or she'll get use to you coming to her "rescue" over nothing at all. Try not to thinks of "SIDS", you'll be a bundle of nerves during the whole length of time it takes for her to learn to roll back to the opposite direction. Happy Thanksgiving mommy.

Although it's scary the first time you "let" your baby sleep on her tummy (versus she rolls over herself), it's OK. Once my son was able to sleep on his stomach, he started having long stretches of night time sleep. The positioner only made him mad, too!

Yep, I went through the same thing too with freaking out. Bottom line, she's fine! Once she knows how to roll over - like your doctor said - there is a natural reflex (you have it too!) for her to move to air if she can't breathe.
My son is now 6 mos old, and sleeps every night with his face mashed into his mattress, like you're describing, little butt up in the air.
If it's not buried in his mattress, it's mashed into the slats of his crib.
I've tried moving him and rolling him over. But at the end of the day, he just moves back to where he wants to be.

Don't worry about her. She found a comfortable way to sleep. It may seem odd to you and me. But it's working for her. She'll be fine. Don't worry.

I know it is scary, but your pediatrician is right! Don't worry. All humans have a natural reflex to turn their head in order to breath. The problem with newborns is that they don't have the muscle strength in their necks to turn their heads if they find themselves suffocating. This is why we are supposed to put them to sleep on their backs. Once they can turn over themselves, however, that muscle strength is there. Your child can easily turn her head now if she finds that she can't breathe. So you don't need to worry. Just make sure there are no toys or other things in the crib that could pose a problem - she obviously isn't developed enough to move those things out of her way. But turning her head now is easy breezy for her.

Oh, and one word about those sleep positioners - they are actually supposed to be bad bad bad. I have read that they can somehow increase the risk of SIDS...I would avoid them.

I also say the angelcare monitor

Hi J.,
We have 2 daughters now 4.5 and 6.5, both stomach sleepers. The younger did/does exactly what yours is. I was so neurotic about SIDS after the first, that we used that Angel Monitor from bebe sounds for the second and rested much easier.
A note to help lessen the amount of false alarms: take the backing to one of those poster frames to position the sensor b/t the mattress and metal spring grate. This should help keep the sensor in the proper place.
good luck.

This post reminds me of my anger towards the baby products industry for making us so scared about SIDS that we can't relax when the baby does something normal. I spent the first 4 months with my first child worrying about this. I finally saw a woman walking around with their child asleep on their stomach in a stroller and I thought- you know what, it isn't that bad, I can relax and let him sleep how he is comfortable.