Thoughts on This

Updated on February 18, 2008
T.R. asks from Coraopolis, PA
24 answers

Hello! my name is T. and I was wondering if anyone had some thoughts on the sleep positioner for newborns? Are they good? Do you use them? Have your heard anything bad about them.

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J.S.

answers from Reading on

Hi T.,

I used the Especially for Baby Inclined to Sleep and loved it. Kept my little guy snug as a bug and eliminated some of the worry about SIDS. I had one in the bassinet and one in the pack-n-play. Definitely plan to use them again with the one of the way.

Best, J.

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R.T.

answers from Philadelphia on

I used one that was on an angle because my son spit up a lot and it was recommended to me. It also was made of memory foam which claims to prevent "flat head syndrome" due to babies spending a lot of time on their backs. Although it didn't really help with the spitting up, my son has a perfectly round head and I know a lot of babies with flat heads in the back! I used it from birth to 3 months, so the rolling wasn't an issue at the time, but it did help keep his swaddle in place sine he used to wiggle out of it. Hope this helps!

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A.L.

answers from York on

I actually have never used one, but it seems like a product designed to make you spend more money on a device that is unnecessary. A folded and rolled receiving blanket is all you need. Just lay baby on his/her side and put the roll behind their back. That's all you need. Don't spend money on devices that have simple solutions you already have on hand. You'll need that money for more important things.

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M.N.

answers from Philadelphia on

"they" say that sleep positioners are bad, but I used one and had no problems. We used it until she was 5 months old.

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K.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

I bought a sleep positioner thinking I would use it because I knew the importance of back-sleeping. However, we never used it because he couldn't roll over at first, and when he could roll over, the sleep positioner wouldn't stop him, it would just get in his way.

My advice, always put your baby on his back to sleep, even if he can roll over. But you don't have to keep putting him on his back if he rolls over by himself. A PP was right in saying once they can roll over, they'll more than likely be able to keep themselves out of danger.

In my opinion, the sleep positioner is a waste of money.

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J.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

We have used an incline for all three of our kids because of reflux, and they seemed to like how it snuggled them when they were newborns. They liked them for about 3 months, and then when they started moving more on their own and wanted to stretch out, we took them out of the crib.

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M.B.

answers from Harrisburg on

I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses telling you that you SHOULDN'T put anything in the crib with the baby. BUT.....I used both types of positioners for my son. I moved to the inclined one with the bolsters after the dr said he had a mild case of reflux around 5 mos. I think it's a good idea to try it and your baby will let you know if it's a good idea or not. I also co-slept with my son till he was about 15 mos so I tend to do things I'm not SUPPOSED to do - but I have a happy and healthy 21 mos old son so I do what feels right for him and I.

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S.L.

answers from York on

We used them and loved them ... best for when they are newborn to 3 months and then they start to roll out of them.

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L.Q.

answers from Philadelphia on

It's really a personal preference - and your baby has veto power!

I used one made of memory foam with adjustable bolsters on either side (I got it from One Step Ahead catalog), and it was great for us. As my son got bigger, he started to slide down it, and we stopped using it at that point. Once we stopped, he was rolling all over the place and would get his arm/leg caught in his rails and start crying for a rescue. He was never hurt, just didn't know how to pull back out.

I saved the positioner for when he gets a cold, and I place it (without the bolsters) under his mattress like a wedge to elevate his head a little for easier breathing. I don't know how he feels about that, but when I'm sick I like to be elevated like that.

Follow your instincts: I chose to use it because I felt my baby was safer and more secure with it. If you're uncertain, don't use it. A baby will sleep anywhere.

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M.C.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hello T.,

I used the sleep positioner with all three of my children.
It worked fine for me, although I have to say my youngest is
now a teen, so it has been some time. It gave me a sense of
ease knowing that they couldn't roll into any dangerous positions. I'd advise if you do try it to not wrap blankets around it. I just laid them over without tucking, so air could safely pass through to avoid overheating.

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D.S.

answers from State College on

I bought one for my son, but he didnt like it, so we never used it after the first week or so. They're not that expensive, so maybe get one and see? I've heard they're good for kids with reflux to keep them inclined a little bit, and also good for when they're congested, so it may be a good thing to have.

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E.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Are you talking about something you use to keep your baby on their back? If so, I used something I received as a baby gift for my oldest (now 7) with pretty good success. It was a mat that you laid the baby on and then it had 2 bolsters that attached to the mat with velcro. You placed the bolsters up against the baby's body along the sides, and it helped stop them from rolling onto their belly. I used it for all 3 of my kids and it worked well, until they got to be old enough to roll and turn their head on their own. At about 6 months, I would find my child completely on their belly, but with the bolsters still in their original position snug next to them. My pediatrician said that once they could turn their head themselves, the incidence of SIDS really decreased. I kept using the bolsters for a while, but at this point they became useless. But, for the first few crucial months, they really worked well. Good luck.

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J.S.

answers from Pittsburgh on

i was told from a lady who works for the SIDS foundation to not use anything in an infant's bed and to just put them on their back to sleep. No pillows, positioners, blankets, or stuffed animals in bed at all. hope this helps!

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H.F.

answers from Pittsburgh on

We used a sleep positioner occasionally for our children. We used them when they were very small and wanted to be held. We used it less to keep them in one place and more to make them feel as if they were being held. Also, they hated sleeping on their backs, so they were able to sleep partially on their side with a positioner.

I liked it. I monitored it. I only used it til they were able to roll over on their own. Also, I made sure that the longer part was at the back of their head (so they were positioned facing away from it) and the shorter side was positioned in front of their belly inches away from their face so there was no way they could curl into it.

You might be able to get that being held feeling just by swaddling though. If you don't have one, I would try without one first. If you can't get the baby to sleep lying down but he/she will sleep being held, then I would try one. I wouldn't even buy one until that happens because you use them such a short time. If your baby will sleep without one, then you can save yourself a couple of dollars.

Best wishes and good luck.

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S.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My granddaughter just turned 8 months old yesterday and we used one up until just a few weeks ago. We noticed that she slept better with it and we believed that she felt cuddled in it. We never had any problems with it. They really are inexpensive so maybe just try it and see if it works for your little one.

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T.A.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi T.~ I bought one for my daughter and she hated it. I never used it again. I forgot about it for my son and he slept fine without it. I am sure some newborns like them. I have never heard anything bad about them or really good about them. I know with my daughter I used the hospital blanket and rolled it so she was on her side alittle bit like she was at the hospital. Any thin blanket will work but not by their face in anyway. I used to put it down by their bottom. Good luck

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A.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi T., Iused a sleep positioner for both of my children but I forget what the brand name was. I found that it eased my mind a bit since thery weren't really able to roll over easily. Sorry I can't be more helpful. As far as hearing anything bad I haven't.
A. P
www.greensthewaytobe.com

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S.H.

answers from Philadelphia on

I used the sleep positioner for my daughter (she is two now), and it really gave me great piece of mind. She rolled over a lot in the beginning because she was always swaddled. They used rolled up receiving blankets when she was in the NICU at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, so she wouldn't roll there either. I'm all for them.

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L.T.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I used a postitioner with my kids. I thought it worked well and I felt better about using it. The kids eventually got big/strong/determined enough that they would end up on their stomachs. Ours had mesh fabric covering the framework to guard against baby suffocating if mouth and nose were against it.

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B.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

I used a sleep positioner too and it gave me some peace of mind. However, I think I've heard that the latest recommendation by the American Pediatric Association (or whatever they are called) was NOT to use one. The thinking being that it's just one more thing for the baby to get wedged into and that the less in the crib the better (from a SIDS perspective).

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J.M.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I T.,

I never used the sleep positioner with my son, but I did sleep him on his side instead of his back. That way he never got that "flat" head that babies often get from sleeping on their backs. We used a rolled up receiving blacket and positioned it behind him so that he wouldn't roll over. We would put him down and one side and then when he woke up, put him back in lying on his other side - this way he got used to sleeping in different positions and never developed a preference for which side he slept on. We also kept him swaddled at night for sleeping until he was 5 months old. This kept those involuntary baby movements from waking him up alot at night too.

J.
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S.P.

answers from Philadelphia on

Hi T.

My advise to you is both as a mother and as a paramedic who has responded to all too many calls for babies who have not woken up in the morning. Put your baby in the crib, on his back with as little as possible with him. Newborns can't roll over. Never put him to bed with you. Never put him on his belly. Never put pillows or fluffy blankets with baby. Never lay him on your bed when you are tired and may fall asleep. People may argue about the benefits of "co-sleeping" believe me, you don't want to be a statistic.
" Back To Sleep" with as little in the crib as possible is safest.

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C.B.

answers from Scranton on

Hey! I know that i had used one adn it was great. I didnt have any problems and i think that it makes them feel more comfortable bc it cuddles them a bit. My thoughts though. I will use one again.

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C.M.

answers from York on

I had one. I think that I used it 2 nights. The problem is, before you know it they are rolling over and lifting their little heads and then it is more of a hazard than a help. I remember clear as day when my now 6 year old rolled over for the first time during the night. It was very scary for me. At my next appointment I discussed it with my Dr. He told me that if she got herself into that position, she will figure out a way to get out of it if she has to. Meaning that if your child rolls when you want her to sleep on her back, there is nothing you can do about it. If she had the strength to roll over, she has the strength to lift her head up and turn it so she can breathe. if you put a something in the crib with her to keep her on her back, it might become an obsticle for her to get over and could harm her. Save your money with this product and do not buy one.

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