Just how bad is letting lo's sleep on their tummies?

[phdlifeneedsanewlife]

Ds (8m) has been going CLUNK ... waaaah in the night - trying to roll over and hitting the side of his cot. (Must not ). But he has also been turning himself onto his tummy during his naps and when co-sleeping - will turn himself back as often as I put him on his back, and start to cry if I mess with him too much.

We've been having a hell time with teething and now I've got a tummy bug so last 2 nights, I just let him sleep on his tum (too sick/exhausted to struggle) and... not a peep for about 3hrs!

Would I be the Worst Mum in the Universe if I let him sleep this way again? In the past I've let him do it for naps when I can check him often, but if it was in the night I wouldn't be doing this. But he's clearly more comfy that way... Am I mad even considering it? Do you turn your lo's over, even if it would wake them?

[berolina]

After 6 months the risk of SIDS sinks rapidly and they are more able to turn themselves over if they get into difficulties on their tummies. I wouldn't place him on his tummy to sleep, but if he turns himself over and it appears to help him I would probably let him at 8 months, yes, if all other SIDS prevention guidelines are followed.

[whomovedmychocolate]

Once they can turn over by themselves, the risk of cot death absolutely plummets if that is what you are asking. Incidentally most SIDS happen within the first four months anyway, but as I said if they can turn over, they will and it's fine. DD has slept on her front from about 8 months and I still go in and check she's breathing, but it's fine.

BTW you can't complain about teething to me, DDs top teeth (ALL OF THEM) have come through in a week and I'm pregnant too, so I out-whinge you on this point

[Niecie]

I worried about this when DS1 was a baby but the HV said to me not to worry - if he is capable of turning over onto his tummy he is capable of turning back again and he should be fine. It is only a problem if they get stuck on their tummies and can't roll over if they get hot or breathless.

Your DS isn't a tiny baby any more - he should be fine so long as you watch all the other SIDS guidelines (not too hot, not sleeping with smokers etc).

Hope you feel better soon.

[MrsClausinJimmyChoos]

Chocolate you old tart you! Mwah Mwah!

[JingleyJen]

no IMO
As far as I understand it if they can roll themselves onto their tummies then you don't have to worry about it any more.

A good friend of mine couldn't get her newborn to settle on her back and one day her HV suggested trying her on her tummy - she settled immediately and has from that date always slept on her tummy - not advice for everyone but it worked for them.
Hope you are all feeling better soon.

[whomovedmychocolate]

[phdlifeneedsanewlife]

oh thank goodness for that. There are no smokers here - I think he is more often cold rather than too hot, anyway my internal thermostat is whacked right now...

(and chocolate, for sure - you win! )

[muppetgirl]

I agree with the other posters re once they can roll over they generally sort themselves out. My ds1 was a tummy sleeper from a few weeks as he literally did not sleep on his back. We worried and worried but he preferred his front (and still does to this day) ds2, 5 weeks, is fine on his back.

Can you imagine someone keep moving you once you had found a really comfy sleeping position?

[phdlifeneedsanewlife]

well exactly muppetgirl!

[bambi06]

my dd would only sleep on her tummy from day one and slept so well like that..i gave up putting her on her back or side as after 10 mins she would scream the place down and just wouldnt settle..she now sleeps onher back sprawled out in a double bed at the age of 6 years so she survived

[stockingfiller]

my dd wasnt even 6weeks when i put her to sleep on her tummy cause she just didnt sleep on her back she now 18mo and fine
im a tummy sleeper so didnt think twice about it!

[phdlifeneedsanewlife]

I am probably too neurotic to put him down that way, but was just thinking, I could lay him over towards the left side of the cot so when he rolled himself over (towards his right), no more CLUNK... waaaah!

[berolina]

ds1 (2.7 and still in cotbed) clunks all the time, but no waaaah as he doesn't even notice it any more. So maybe there's hope