Sleep dilemma

[Santismum]

Hi mums,

I have a 1 week old baby (first baby) and I'm really unsure whether he should be sleeping on his back or his tummy, all of the health advice and recommendations say for babies to sleep on their backs but I'm worried he will throw up milk in the middle of the night and not be able to spit it out.

Every mother I speak to recommends putting baby on their tummy to sleep and he seems to like this better but am I putting baby at risk by doing this?

Any personal experiences you can share on this would be helpful!

Lullaby trust says always on back, no loose blankets toys etc in cot.

if lo is sick a little they will usually turn their head to side, well that's what my lo did, and as lo in same room or next to you when sleeping your likely hear them.

My lo was a tummy sleeper from birth but I ALWAYS put her on her back. Now she sleeps on her tummy all the time

Always put them down on their back. Where did you get the idea that they should go on their front in case they vomit? Was it from an older relative by chance because it sounds like it’s straight out of a 1970s parenting book? Back to sleep has been a thing since in 90s. Look up the lullaby trust advice and/or speak to your health visitor if you’re at all unsure about what is needed for safe sleep.

Always, always put them on their back.

On their back. Look up safe sleeping from the lullaby trust.

Thanks for all the responses!

I put him on his back last night and today and he's been sleeping fine, I noticed a wet milky patch next to his head which means he is spitting it out so I feel more relieved!

One other question if anyone can share any advice, I try to burp him after every feed but he doesn't do it and then when I put him down he seems uncomfortable. I have tried different positions and still doesn't work. How long should I burp him for? And is it dangerous if I put him down to sleep without burping first?

Always on their back. Baby isn't able to roll over or lift their head so could easily suffocate.

Try winding in different positions. If you can't get it out front he normal over the shoulder, I used to sit mine on my knee with their chin in my hand and burp them that way which would usually get it.

I wouldn't say it's dangerous not to burp but baby might be uncomfortable.

If I couldn't burp, a trick that worked for me was lay them on their back for a bit few mins or 5 mins. Pick back up and try again

Burping is a funny one. It made zero difference to my first whether I burped him or not (he was blissfully chilled either way) and I found getting a burp at all was quite hit and miss. My second is a bit refluxy but whether or not she burps (which usually makes her yelp or cry, poor love) seems less important than just keeping her upright for approx. 30 mins after a feed. Keep trying, but also pay attention to what works for your baby specifically. You’ll figure out what’s most effective after getting to know him for a couple of weeks.