Sleeping Positions

[Wrexscar]

Since the boy was born we have drilled into us he MUST sleep on his back. It seemed from some advice and way some books write he'd be safer sleeping on a road other than face down. So every night he slept on his back in a sleeping bag so no chance of blanket entanglement.
Now he's 26 weeks old and able to roll, so this was the first morning we found him face down when we went into his room this morning.
Is sleeping position such a critical thing at this age, and does the chance of SIDS diminish past a certain age?

 

[jennyren]

I don't really know the statistics but I think healthy babies who can roll around themselves and have no other risk factors (lots of blankets/pillows, parents who smoke) are not at an increased risk of sids when tbey roll onto their stomachs in the night.

I always put my babies to sleep on their backs until they were 1year, but if they rolled around, i stopped flipping them over once I was confident they had the stregnth and coordination to avoid suffocation, even in a sleepy state. If your child uses a soother then he is also at decreased risk for sids.

If you've put him down on his back, you've done your part. Entrust your son to the Lord and sleep easy.

 

[TCat]

When DS was born 15 years ago the advice at the time was to put babies to sleep on their tummies. I think one of the reasons he slept so well was due to this position and he learned very early to prop, pull and crawl early because he was used to being tummy down.
11 years later when DD was born the rule had become "back to sleep", we diligently laid her on her back but it was a struggle to get her to sleep. I was so glad when she learned to roll to her tummy and get comfortable on her own.

A neat tip someone shared with me that worked well for both of my kids was to heat their mattress with a microwave beanbag for a few minutes before putting them down. They snuggle down on the warm sheet and doze off much quicker.

 

[gracepaints]

Once he can roll himself over on his own, it is safe to allow him to sleep on his tummy. The SIDS risk decreases dramatically after 4 months anyway.

 

[marezee]

I say the same...once they can roll over on their own, the risk is much lower. Just minimize pillows, blankets, etc.
I just use a blanket sleeper in the winter. that seemed to be enough.

and...i know some moms will be appauled! but i put my babies on their tummies sometimes...because that was the only position that they would fall asleep in!

 

[-~Truth_N_Trust~-]

yeah, after 6 months the risk of SIDS is a lot lower... and once they can roll it's difficult to stop them!

 

[Stan53]

I am going to get shot for this. I can remember a time when the prevailing school of thought was that a baby must always be put to sleep on its side. Now it is their back, tomorrow, who knows? Maybe their head?
One thing is certain, once they can roll over, you will be hard pressed to keep them on the back. So you might as well give in and go with the flow.

 

[RedTulipMom]

at 26 weeks, he is a half a year old and is starting to roll. I wouldnt worry about sids at this point. Once they are old enough to move their neck muscles they would turn their head if they woke up not able to breathe. One of the best preventions against SIDS is a new mattress. The older the mattress the more toxic gases the mattress emits. If you DO have an OLD mattress you need to make sure you have a mattress cover on.

 

[jgonz]

When I had my first (25.5 yrs ago) they said to put the baby on her tummy to sleep (prevented a choking hazard).

By the time my 4th was born (16 yrs ago) they said to put the baby on his Side to sleep...

The "back to sleep" campaign started somewhere before my 10 yr old was born...

I liked the side laying position for when my newborns were in the cradle, and when they slept next to me during the night, they were on their backs or sides nursing. Abel can seemingly sleep in pretty much any position, which amazes me. All my other kids had very specific likes & dislikes....

One thing is for sure~ once the baby starts rolling you have very little control over what position he/she is going to end up in during their naps/night time.

 

[gracepaints]

I get sick of them changing the standard all the time too, but they have seen a 50% drop in the rate of SIDS pretty much across the board, since the "Back to Sleep" campaign started.

DS has always been happiest on his side.

 

[marezee]

I also think as moms, we know our children best. And once the "risk" is lower, do what is best for you and your child.