DS - 6 months - sleeping on tummy. Is this OK?

[Chooster]

DS2 is now just over 6 months old so is able to roll onto his tummy by himself. About a month ago he started to want to roll onto his side to sleep and it really settled him and he slept better like that which was great. Now, he rolls onto his tummy and I worry about it due to everything you hear about putting babies to sleep on their backs due to SID. A few times I've rolled him back onto his back only for him to roll again - its obviously how he wants to sleep. Am I silly to worry about it, after all it wasn't long ago that most babies slept on their tummies? Or should I keep rolling him over???

he will be fine! My ds kept rolling over onto his tummy about 4 months old and i was paranoid about it!! If that is how he is comfortable then let him sleep how he likes

I posted almost the exact same thing a few months ago my DS 8mth started rolling onto his front about 51/2mth and I freaked out kept rolling him back to his back and before I had even got out the room he was on his tummy. The general concensous was if they are strong enough to roll onto their tummys they are strong enough to hold their head up then they will be fine. Also be prepared for some middle of the night wailing until he figures out how to roll back or manouvere.

Hope that helps.

I am 95 % sure that the SIDS advice is that from 6 mths you can leave them in whatever position they get themeselves into

yup - [[http://www.fsid.org.uk/faq-current-topics.html#frontrolling here]

bugger here even

i know this may draw gasps of shock BUT we have been sleeping dd on her front from pretty much day one - dh's aunt has been a midwife for over 30 years and she recommended it after she just wouldn't sleep on her back. kept waking herself with twitchy arms and just generally wouldn't settle

i spent 3 or 4 days panicking - checking she was breathing etc - but she loves it and can't and never could sleep on her back.

i personally think it's about what makes them happiest - she said not to worry too much about all the advice out there as some babies just prefer one to the other, just like adults, and once they can roll they make their own choice

Sanwi - comforted to read your post. How old is your DD now? DS is 8 wks and much, much happier on tummy. Will sleep for hours like that (I let him nap like that on the sofa during the day where I can see him) but wakes v frequently and can be very hard to settle on his back. I am sooo tempted to put him on his front but feel I'd never forgive myself if anything happened. Have been thinking about investing in one of the breathing monitors you can buy as think that might bring some peace of mind.

Will anyone else admit to putting their baby on front to sleep?!

yes me! both dc's always on tummy. dd (now 4 ) from about 2 months and ds (now 8 months) from birth.

Hi Chooster!

As you know, both mine have been tummy sleepers from about 4 days old!

I think if he's getting himself into that postion and he's comfy, it's fine. You might even find he sleeps better [rather optimistic]

Thanks ladies!!! I fel much better now. I asked the HV's yesterday at DS2's weigh in and they said keep rolling him back if I see him on his tummy. But I feel much more re-assured by you lot. I think I'll just let him be when I next see him on his tummy although, you are right Juliewoolie, we have had some night wailing as I think he wakes up and is a bit startled to be staring at the mattres .

glad i'm not the only one out there who does it! DD is 6 weeks old and has been sleeping on her tummy since 2 or 3 days old

as i said, i panicked a bit as it goes against all the advice, but it was that or her hardly sleeping at all.

same thing as LolaLadyBird - she napped on her tummy a few times and slept for hours and hours, while on her back at night she slept for maybe an hour max.

as i mentioned above, we talked to DH's aunt about it (who's been a MW since the days before the advice to sleep them on their backs) She really put my mind at rest - she said the overall risk of SIDS in all babies is 4 in 10,000, and that there were lots of risk factors (smoking, premature birth, overheating etc etc) - sleeping position is just one amongst many

As DD is a completely healthy happy baby, we decided it would be hugely unlikely to cause any problems and would in fact be beneficial as it allows her to get proper rest, rather than months of broken sleep while she learns not to bash her own face with her little arms

plus, it really helps her get those parps out!