Family member's newborn – WWYD?

[CrumpetConnoisseur]

My cousin has recently brought her tiny premature baby home after a stay in NICU. She weighs less than 5lbs.
She sent me a photo of the baby asleep on her tummy in her Moses basket and said that this is the position she settles best in.
I have to admit I’m quite concerned. I know babies shouldn’t generally be put down to sleep on their fronts, and with her being so premature and tiny, it makes me particularly nervous.
My cousin also doesn’t want to use a breathing or movement monitor such as an Owlet, which adds to my worry, although I appreciate these aren’t recommended as a substitute for safe sleeping practices.

Obviously, I’m not her baby’s parent and I don’t want to come across as judgemental or interfere with how she’s looking after her. I also don’t know whether the NICU team has given her any specific advice regarding sleeping positions.

Would you be concerned in this situation? Would you say something to her, or leave it alone because it’s not your baby?
I just want the little one to be safe, but I also don’t want to overstep the mark.

I would have to say something that’s so so dangerous and makes SIDs risk even higher! Especially with the blankets WTF!!! She needs to invest in the sleep bags. You can get the smaller ones from Tommie tippee and they are perfect my little girl was 6 pound and dinky. I would rather my child constantly woke me up for sleeping on their back than putting them on their front. Stupidity like this drives me insane.

you what? My granddaughter had a few stop breathing episodes as a baby. Of course she MIGHT have started breathing again on her own. But the owlet alerted my daughter who was glad to intervene - and able to sleep a bit easier knowing it was there.

My son was 6wk prem spent 24days in icu..would only sleep on his tummy..the amount of people who tried to turn him over if I popped in a shop was ridiculous..he would scream his little lungs out..please leave mum's to know best concerning their own child..and myob.

Did you know when you breathe your lungs inflate backwards? Both of my NICU babies slept on their fronts, it was to help them breathe a little easier.

As a side note - if you think that any mum might benefit from a bit of friendly advice, GIVE IT TO HER. Mums don't have all the answers, we are all just trying to get by.

"Mine would never settle like that, have you tried them on their back, it's government advice now for safer sleeping, worked a charm for me!".

5lbs is. Decent enough weight surely ir the baby not be allowed hone. I think you just have to let her parent. My full time healthy baby was 6lb. I slept on my front still do my mum got fed up turning me over as would immediately roll back over although obviously a lot older. Im sure the health visitor will tell her.

With blankets up to the neck that's a serious sids risk if the baby wriggles, they are only supposed to have them firmly tucked under the armpits and at the bottom of the cot with holes in.
I think I'd have to say something but I'm a bit of a coward, so would probably mention it to their local health visiting team as a concerned family member.

They probably won't be able to interfere much, but could at least provide advice about safer sleep and the risks of not following it.
Ultimately op you are not responsible for them, but we do all have a duty to safeguard children if we think they are at risk.

Can't really comment on the front/back position but the sleeping bags are amazing and let me fully relax.

Also sleeping bags are so much easier, maybe buy her a couple of 0-6 month sleeping bags as a gift and say I heard these are sooo much better than constantly adjusting blankets and babies sleep better as well.
Might be worth a try.

Former NICU head nurse here (US) its "back to sleep". Say something - I'd rather her be angry than in mourning.

I had a spell in hospital with my newborn initially. In hospital he was wrapped up in multiple blankets with a hat on. We got home, I sent my friend a picture of baby in his basket with a hat on and then fell asleep. When I woke up I looked at my phone and she said she didn't want to offend me but he shouldn't have a hat on, everything I'd learnt prior had been forgotten by my traumatic time. I was grateful she pointed it out. Personally I think I'd have too as I wouldn't forgive myself if something did happen.

This is a good idea but my preemie was too small for sleeping bags for months after she was discharged from NICU. We used the Love to Dream swaddle bags which are ok from around 5lbs

Ask her how the little one likes to sleep best again at some point (or bring it up somehow) and say "ohh I didn't realise that was safe for preemies, did the NICU advise you on that? I thought maybe it risked SIDs but I totally understand that you would've got the best advice.."

I can’t believe how many people are saying to stay out of it. My ds was premature and tiny. He was on his front in nicu with wires and monitors everywhere, but was always put to sleep on his back in line with safe sleeping guidelines when he came home. This may have changed, but there’s no harm in looking into it and having a tactful chat to her.

This kind of pass agg approach would really annoy me, I'd much prefer someone to just be straight forward and honest.

I’d be more concerned about the father smoking around a baby to be honest.
mmy ex smoked outdoors and I still wouldn’t let him hold baby after a cigarette.
How selfish of him to smoke around his partner while she was pregnant!!
Sleeping on her tummy is the least of her worries!
I absolutely loved my breathing mat that we had for DD..
it’ll But no I wouldn’t say anything… they would have been told the risks … up to them if they want to ignore the advice from professionals….

Why be subtle? Its bloomin dangerous _ I had a 4 pounder I took home from the baby unit - I played everything by the book and listened to all advice,

I have no comment to make about what the OP shoukd do. My comment was for the poster who had said that their approach was “subtle”