sleeping on their backs...for how long?

[mamaesi]

my husband keeps saying we should let our 8 week old sleep on her tummy as she only likes to sleep on our chests...and seems so content when placed on tummy...

but I am too scared to do it...as everyone always says back is best, it prevents cot death. When can they start sleeping on their backs?

what can I do to get my baby sleeping on her back instead of screaming and fussing every time she is lying down..

you could try putting her on her side instead, with a rolled-up cot blanket behind her back?

I think some babies feel too loose on their backs, iygwim, & if they startle they wake themselves up; on her side her arms & legs would stay put more easily.

(3 of mine were born before the back to sleep campaign & they all slept on tummies, as that was the advice then & it does suit tiny babies better, but there is more risk of overheating)

Cot death peaks at 2-4 months, so I would wait til at least after that personally. Side sleeping isn't recommended either as far as I know - back sleeping is safest until they can roll and find their own position themselves. Back to Sleep cut the number of cot deaths by about 75%, so it is worth doing imo.

Your husband is a twit. Due to SIDS risk, it's back to sleep until they're old enough to turn themselves over. That's several months yet. We still put DS 18mo down on his back, tho he promptly turns himself over and sleeps with his bum in the air

\link{http://sids-network.org/experts/elsa.htm\from an American SIDS website:}

When baby won't sleep on his back, try side sleeping
Some infants who are resistant to sleeping on their backs may be willing to sleep on their side. Side sleeping allows the infant to easily move into the fetal position, which may help comfort a fussy baby and lessen the possibility of some babies starling themselves with their own jerky movements. Extending the baby's lower arm straight out from his body will help stabilize the baby in the side position and help reduce the chances of him rolling onto his stomach if he moves

Wedges
SIDS experts do not endorse the use of wedges and those that restrict the baby's freedom of movement should never be used. Parents who use wedges should be shown the correct positioning for side sleeping (as described above) and if they persist in using wedges should be encouraged to use a front wedge only, this will help the baby to roll onto his back, not his stomach if he moves

(oops - ignore what I said about wedge behind back )

When they can roll there on their own.

You could put him on his side, DD would only sleep like that. He may still like swaddling so he feels more secure. Use a blanket with holes and tuck it in tightly, baby should be at the foot of the cot and make sure the sheet is tight and there aren't any toys in the cot.

If you use cotton sheet try switching to flanelette (?sp) it feels warmer to the touch so it's less of a shock when you put him down.

At 9 mo DD will still only sleep on my chest or on her front.

Thats a bit rude Don, I'm wondering what the risks to babies are due to sleep deprived parents.

yes she seems to like her side...but I am still nervous.

my husband is not stupid, just trying to get us all some much needed sleep.

what about sleeping in a bouncy chair? is that bad for their backs or something?

aw, mamaesi - try not to fret about it too much...

From that US SIDS page:

Keep things in perspective
When it comes to SIDS, health care providers need to help calm parents' fear of SIDS, and to keep their baby's sleep position and their infant care practices in perspective. First, educate parents so they understand that the possibility of their baby dying of SIDS is very low, regardless of the baby's sleep position. Parents should do everything they can to get their baby to sleep on his back or side, but shouldn't lose sleep over a resistant infant that will not.

most babies are tough as old boots

Like the 'keep things in perspective' Ponders.

mamasei - IIWM I wouldnt have her sleep in a bouncy chair for the night - advice for car seats is no longer than 2hrs (for posture reasons) so I wouldnt really want to exceed that.

Def try sleeping her on her side & see if that helps. We always put my DS on his back from birth, then when he could roll at 7ish months he started to sleep on his tummy. Like Don's LO, my DS also sleeps on his knees with his bum in the air

Do you swaddle? DS wanted to be swaddled until 5.5 months. Since he learnt to roll at 7 m.o. he's been a stomach sleeper (2 y.o. now). He likes to be on his knees with backside in the air too.