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Niece sleeping in front

4 replies

yomommasmomma · 06/07/2020 07:59

Just looking for some advice please. My DSIL and DB have a little one who is 10 weeks now and she does all naps and nighttime sleep on her tummy. I am told this is the only way she will sleep at night. As you can guess I am worried about her sleeping on her tummy as I know it is a sids risk. Basically its none of my business I know and everyone does thier own risk assessment, but I am extremely concerned about her and wonder if anyone know how much of a risk it really is? DN is breastfed beautifully by my DSIL and perfect size and weight etc. is there really nothing to worry about and I need to chill?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BabySleepTeacherUK · 06/07/2020 11:00

Its a risk when the parent is asleep, but as you say, everyone does their own risk assessment.

It really is not you place to give an opinion unless you are asked. You could have a look at Lullaby Trust online or on social media and send the links.

yomommasmomma · 06/07/2020 11:31

Yup I haven't said a word!!! Not getting involved. How big is the risk?

OP posts:
GenevaMaybe · 06/07/2020 11:56

It is high risk. There is no question on that. With my first baby I was evangelical about back sleeping and SIDS risks in general.

However my second baby had severe reflux and a floppy larnyx and she didn't sleep a wink on her back and screamed the house down. So we slept her on her front for all naps and sleeps. I tried every week to put her down on her back. Eventually she was ok on her back and I was so relieved.

BabySleepTeacherUK · 06/07/2020 12:11

How big the risk is is again subjective.

The risk of a baby dying is very small, as a proportion of the population. The numbers of those baby deaths being declared as SIDS related on the post-mortum is even smaller. Then within that small number within the small number, the cause of the SIDS death being prone sleeping will be an even smaller number

But the risk we are talking about here is the death of a baby.

Not just that, but the avoidable death of a baby because the parent chose to ignore advice. So really the responsibility if the worse happens sits with the parent. This risk might be small, it comes down to how your DB and DSIL will feel if their baby die because of something they did.

But all risks must be balanced. There will be risks due to exhaustion and sleep deprivation. There will be risks to a child who cries excessively. There will be risks linked to it her aspects of SIDS and things like accidental suffocation (which isn't SIDS but is another cause of death in babies).

There are loads of risks to balance.

Prone sleeping (sleeping on front) and baby sleeping on you while you are asleep are both significant factors in SIDS risk. But SIDS deaths in themselves are low. There is always a "This is a risk.... But balanced against this...".

Parents should make that decision. But it should be an informed decision. If you think they are genuinely ignorant of the risks then it's right that you (gently) offer leaflets or articles so they can make and informed decision based on facts.

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