Baby Likes to Sleep on Belly

if he's rolling onto his tummy by himself then don't worry and let him sleep on his tummy if he wants. I've read (and my MD agreed) that once babies can roll over willingly then they are fine on their stomachs.

Lay him on his back when you put him in the crib, after taht he will move where he wants. Both of my children immediately started sleeping on their stomachs once they could. The doctors told me that this was normal and perfectly fine.
T.

My sons doctor told me that once he can roll over its no big deal.My son has done the very same thing since he was that age. I put him down on his back and he goes right to his tummy. I still have a happy, healthy 1 year old.

MY son has always been a belly sleeper. "they" say to keep them on their backs to sleep but if he is rolling over in the middle of the night, there's not much you can do about it. Plus, if he's rolling over on his own, he must have good head control. If he were to get into distress, he'll move his head so he can breathe. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just keep the monitor on. He'll let you know if he gets into trouble and can't fix it on his own. Good luck!

hi K., both of my girls slept on their stomaches from the time they came home from the hospital. i believe it's better to sleep on their stomaches, i mean what if they spit up in their sleep? the baby could aspirate? i feel safer with my girls on their tummies but to each their own oppinion
T.

I know they tell you that babies should sleep on their back, but my son (who will be 2 in June)also loved to sleep on his back. If I can make a comment, we all slept on our backs as babies and we turned out just fine. If your baby can hold up his head then he should be ok. He obviously is comfortable on his stomach. I am not an MD but I wanted to give you my opinion.

If he is able to roll himself-he is ok.

I had to finally give in and let my baby girl sleep on her belly. Like you I tried the wedge and it did not work. I tried flipping her back over every time she would go on her belly but let's face it, we all have to sleep. I just made sure there was nothing in her crib...NOTHING...and just let her stay on her belly. Thank God she's been fine and actually sleeps much, much better than she did before. Remember that 10 years ago it was suggested by dr's that babies sleep on their bellies so it can't be that bad.

Don't worry about it! Once they can roll over on their own - they're ready to sleep in whatever position they like. If it makes you nervous - just make sure there are no fluffy blankets or stuffed animals in the crib and he'll be fine. My daughter did the same thing. My son would not sleep on his back for anything. As soon as he was past swaddling - he slept on his tummy. I just said a prayer and put him down to sleep.

My daughter sleeps on her belly. she has since birth. THere isn't much yo ucan do about and he should be fine. the main concern would be if he was younger and not able to move as easily doctors fear SIDS. You son can roll around -- he's not going to smother himself. My daughter refuses to sleep on her back so i leave her on her tummy. she is still alive and she's 7 months old.

Can he roll back over from belly to back? Once the babies are able to roll it's okay that they sleep on their tummy. Just be sure that there are no blankets, stuffed animals or other soft objects in the crib. Even bumpers can be a problem (I used a mesh bumber sold by one step ahead to keep little limbs in the crib, but won't be a suffication hazard). Make sure the crib sheet is tight and he'll be just fine. Good luck with your little guy!

When your child is old enough to roll over, there is not much you can do control the way he sleeps unless you stand guard all night long. From what I understand, sleeping on your their back is to prevent SIDS, and once they are rolling over, they are at much less risk anyway. I don't think you have anything to worry about. Just make sure there are no toys or stuffed animals in the crib with him.

they make a sound and movement monitor for babies now and it has a sensor pad that goes under the mattress and it monitors movement including breathing. if no movement or breathing is detected in 20 seconds then the alarm goes off. i would suggest getting one of those. my 2nd baby was just born and i couldnt get any sleep without mine. let me know if you need more info about it oh and they do work and arent that expensive i paid 70 dollars for mine

My son slept on his belly since the day we brought home from the hospital. We just took out all of his bedding, and let him just sleep on the mat. No matter what way you lay him, they lay the way they want to. I mean let's face it, first they said let them sleep on their tummys, then it was their back, next thing it will be hang the upside from a door way! Ha!
There's just no telling, my son still sleeps on his tummy and he'll be two next months. But I do know, at four months old, they know how to turn their heads so that they can breath. And look on the upside to it, if they throw up it will come out, instead of it going down their throats and choking on it.
He'll be just fine, and have fun, watching your little grow, they do the most amazing things!

Hey K.,

Always talk to your Doc to get the most up to date advice...That said, once my kids were able to roll over I let them decide for themselves what was comfortable. You really have no way of keeping him on his back now that he can roll over. I feel using the body wedges could become a hazard once they can roll over on their own. Hope this helps!!
D. R

Hello. Well My son is now 7 months old and he has been sleeping on his stomach since he was about a month old. His doctor told me that once they reach a certain age it rally doesnt matter if they are on their back or stomach. If your son can roll himself over and lift hup his head, he should be just fine. At this point he knows how to adjust himself if he cant breathe. I am not sure of the exact ages but I am pretty sure that SIDS isnt a serious threat after the first few months, specially if he is adjusting himself the way he is. I had to watch my son when he slept on his stomach so early, but that was the only way he would sleep. Once he started lifting his head I was able to relax and his doctor said he should be just fine. Some pediatrians, still dont agree with babies sleeping on their backs and think its better for them to sleep on the stomachs. Sleeping on the back is still a realitively new reccomendation. Things are gonna get fun now that hes rolling over... Good luck and have fun!

I wouldn't worry about it, my doctor told me when they are old enough to roll over it is safe, because there is really nothing you can do at that point. My oldest was like that once he learned to roll over he always ended up on his tummy. If you are still concerned talk to your baby's doctor. Once they start moving around and rolling over it's hard to control their sleep positions.

If he's rolling over on his own, then I would say he's ready to sleep on his belly. My son did the same thing. I remember the first time he slept throught the night and I went in to check on him. He was on his belly and pushed up against the bumper...I about had a heart attack too! I think your son will be fine. Mine starting sleeping on his belly at 3 months. Just remember that our parents put us on our bellies to sleep and we all survived! Good luck!

My son has been sleeping on his belly since he was about 2 1/2 months. He wouldn't sleep for longer than 15 minutes at a time before that, and I think he's just more comfortable that way. He's 10 1/2 months now and not a single problem with him. I wouldn't worry about it. Its just how he's comfortable sleeping. Back in the dark ages when we were kids they said we should only sleep on our tummies. I think the sleep science has a lot to do with preference. Like I said, it might just be more comfortable for him.
D.

Well My son also started doing the same thing when he was that age. And I was also worried about the risk of SIDS. I want you to know that sleeping on the back reduces the risk of SIDS, it does not prevent it. So don't worry if you check on him and he's on his tummy, they just do that cause it's more comfortable for them, at least I know it is for me! lol! Also because he does suck his thumb that also reduces the risk of SIDS because his mouth is sucking on something and he head has to move to the side for him to do that. So don't worry, but if it really bother's you when you check on him see if you can roll him over with out waking him to be sleeping on his back.

H.

My 18 month old has always slept on his belly and he is fine. My brother in law is a pediatrician and my nephew slept on his belly too. They both slept so much better on their bellies. I am sure when you were a kid you slept on your belly too. Just keep things away from him like blankets and stuff and he will be fine.
J.

Hi K.,
When I had my first child they said to put them on their bellies to sleep (this was 13 yr ago) but he always wanted to sleep on his back. My middle child would never sleep on his back he slept on his side or belly even with the wedges. My daughter who was on a apnea monitor when she came home has always been a belly sleeper. I think as long as he is able to roll over if he has any distress he will move his head or roll over.

My son's doctor said that once they start rolling over you can't force them to sleep in any position. Now I've personally have always laid my son on his side because he's never been comfortable sleeping on his back. Your 4 month old may be comfortable on his side too. The doctor said that this was also a safe position. So maybe you could try that. Wedges or rolled up blankets will keep him from rolling on his stomach.

Both of my kids are tummy babies... I wouldn't worry if he is able to roll over by himself