Back to Sleep??? - Mishawaka,IN

My son started doing this at 5 months. It is totally fine as long as they can roll both ways well. My ped and a lot of research on my part confirmed this for me. The key is to continue putting her to bed on her back, but then let her sleep as she positions herself. My son stopped (for the most part) doing this once the rolling over wasn't so new.

Sounds like she's strong enough... she'll be just fine. My daughter is 6 months and has been doing exactly what you are describing for about two months. As long as there aren't blankets, toys, etc. in the crib, don't worry! :)

As long as you are able to watch her while she sleeps she is fine on her belly, because you'll be able to tell if her breathing changes. When you can't watch her sleeping, those blocks that keep babies on their sides are best. People like to say that on their backs is a safe way to sleep. On their sides is best. I know from personal experience that they are still not safe on their backs. My cousin's baby died at age 7 months 19 days while sleeping on his back. He threw up and choked on it. If you still have questions, it's always best to ask your pediatrician.

The 'back to sleep' campaign has scared alot of parents because it nevers says when to >stop< doing it! Once your baby has the ability to roll over both directions on his/her own, he/she will be fine! Most babies prefer tummy sleeping and if you start rolling them back to their backs they will wake up very unhappy and immediately roll back over. Some babies do this at 7 months, some at 3 months so there's no 'right' answer as to when it's ok. Just follow your baby's lead.

My daughter was the same way and it had me on edge at first too. I'd go over every so often and make sure she was breathing- my efforts to keep her on her back seemed pretty hopeless. I finally looked some stuff up online and discovered that girls are less likely to fall victim to sids than boys- as horrible as this might sound, that made me feel a little better. My daughter is 10 months now and still has a tendency to sleep on her stomach- butt up in the air lol. All I can really say is just to watch her. Though for my daughter, I noticed sleeping on her stomach with her butt up is the ONLY way she'll sleep through the night.

Hi S.!
I have an 8 month old daughter.... she loves to sleep on her belly. I was so worried about it at first, but know that if anything were wrong, she instinctively roll over herself. We have no blankets or toys of any kind in her crib AND have recently taken out the bumper pad because she wrapped herself up in it after waking up from a nap! She's already getting into trouble!! I noticed she preferred sleeping on her belly when she was about 3-4 months old. Research has shown that the possibility of SIDS is the greatest from 0-3 months. With this in mind, I watched her very closely during naps. I would lie her down on her back and she would automatically roll over on her belly. She hasn't had any problems with this and sleeps on her belly all night long and while taking her daytime naps. So, keep a close eye on her. Beyond that, she'll probably do fine with belly sleeping, you'll have a happy/rested baby, and be a happy/well rested mommy! What's better than that! :)

My kids always slept better on their bellies. BUT theat always made me nervous! I wouldn't worry so much if you are awake to check her on occasion. Just at night is the trick. Mine will be sleeping in my bed till I stop breastfeeding. I don't know if you have a monitor but that might easy your mind too. Everything for Kids carries used ones. When is her bday? My youngest girl is 6-5-06! I don't know if you have time for a mom's club but if you want info let me know!

S.,
I had the same question when my son started rolling over. My doctor and numerous other articles I researched said that if they are rolling over, to keep putting them back on their backs. This doesn't mean to get up in the middle of the night and go do it. Just before you go to bed and go in to check on her, roll her back over, if you get up in the night to use the bathroom and go check on her, roll her over. It is very unlikely for a baby to die of SIDS if they are strong enough to be rolling over. Hope this helps!

my doctor told me that once they reach the age of 6 months and have learned to roll over, the risk of sids is next to nothing. so if she starts out on her back and then rolls on her tummy it should be ok. just watch her to make sure her face is turned to the side so she can breath freely and that she doesn't get tangled up in the covers.

I'm probably preaching to the choir in reading what everyone else has said, but I was told by the DR and in reading articles that once they can roll over they can rouse themselves if they're not breathing.

I also agree with the comment about back sleeping not being safe. I also know someone who after having her BF leave her when she got pregnant came home from the hospital and the first night the baby was home it spit up and was on its back and aspirated. The mom woke up and found the baby was blue, started CPR and they decided a few days later to take the baby off life support.

Being on the back is safer, but not fool-proof, but, if your daughter is rolling she should be fine.

I have found however, that when my daughter got used to sleeping on her stomach when I put her down on her back she would cry for a good 20 mintues before settling down and if I went ahead and put her on her stomach she'd only cry for a couple of minutes before crashing out for the night.

Good luck!

When they are able to roll over by themselves it is ok.

I too was afraid of this when my daughter was that age. But back in the day, they always used to lay babies on their tummies to sleep. Plus when they are strong enough to roll over and stuff then every thing is ok. Just make sure the sheets fit tight and there is nothing around her face. Don't worry all will be okay.

I had same issues with my son when he was about 3mos on, I'd lay him down on his back & he's always roll over to his belly to sleep. He turned out ok though, the dr. told me that so long as he's able to roll not much we can do other then use a monitor.

i know this is almost like the others but I have a set of twins and in the NICU when they was born they would put them on there tummys to sleep but they had things to watch them if soemthing went wrong b/c something would go off. When they got home they had heart montors on them but they would roll to there tummy to sleep and i was scared but they told me it was ok. After they was off the montors i really was scared to death b/c they was so little but they could roll over so i felt better. Olny be scared if they can't roll back over or hold the head up. Oh if bumper is a scare there is bumpers that are made that are air vented you can go on line and find them at babiesrus.com or target.com go under bumpers and you can find one. this will keep from this. best of luck
C.

I have always heard that they should be safe if they can roll themselves. Dr's have also told us this!!! They are old enough to be able to move if something were to go wrong!!!!

My son used to roll over on his stomach. We would go in and check on him while he was sleeping and turn him over if he was on his belly. I still would not let her sleep on her belly if you can help it. The risk of SIDS does not reduced considerably or is eliminated until about 12 months.

I have 3 kids and they all slept on there bellies. The most important thing to remember is not to have things in the crib that she can put her face into... like big fluffy comforters and stuffed animals. If she can roll over and she is having trouble breathing she will adjust herself to fix the problem. You seem to have done the done all the right things in this situation. Have faith in your ability as a mom and you will be fine....Hugs M.

Both of my children slept on their bellies, it was the only way they could fall asleep for some reason. I too worried about SIDS but my Dr said that as long as they were comfortable and there wasn't anything under their heads and they could lift their heads by themselves they were fine to sleep on their bellies. If you still are concerned talk to your Dr they are the best one to ask.

J.