baby sleeping: back or tummy?

[poetry_writer]

I know the current recommendations are baby is to sleep on back. I have a new grandson, 3 months old and he refuses to sleep on his back. He screams and screams. Curious as to others experiences with this. Wondered about the information I am reading about babies sleeping on their backs and the problems: flat heads and possible other problems on down the road. Doctors dont help, just say "well he MUST sleep on his back". Swaddling, propping him on his side, none of that works. He is a tummy sleeper. Thanks!

[MamaM]

Does he have GERD? My son had to sleep on his tummy, on top of me, for the first 7 months. It was well worth the bonding but he would scream because of a severe case of GERD. My son has a beautiful head, sleeps like a rock now and is an angel..most of the time. ; )

[Simplemind]

Mine was a tummy sleeper. I think it kept him from jerky movements that would easily wake him. He is still a tummy sleeper 18 years later.

[Square Peg]

My kiddos were big time tummy sleepers also. I used to worry so much, but I couldn't make them stop.

[poetry_writer]

Thanks for the replies. He doesnt seem to have GERD.....drools a lot, but generally a happy baby (likes to be held a lot, but many do). I'm for letting him do what makes him feel comfy. He also has slept a lot on their (daddy and mama's) tummies. He will be rolling soon and at that point it doesnt matter anyway, they will roll into whichever position they prefer. Never seen it addressed anywhere what to do if baby just cries and cries on his back....Thanks again!

[domestic goddess]

As you said, back is recommended. I have a preference for side-lying for those who won't sleep supine, which is actually something I rarely run into. For the risk involved, I would really work on making him comfortable in a position that isn't on the tummy. Some babies need to be propped up a bit, or supported in another position. The head shouldn't flatten out if the baby isn't on his/her side 24/7. Being up during the day in a bouncy seat or being held should be enough to relieve the pressure on the back of the head. As you said, he will be rolling over soon and then there will be nothing anyone can do about it. Since I take care of children with trachs, and absolutely horrendous GERD, and simple gas and indigestion without reflux, I take care of a lot of kids who need to sleep in certain positions, and so far they all have learned to sleep on their backs or sides, or both. But my dd, born when sleeping on the tummy was the thing to do, slept prone, and there was never a bit of trouble. Now I think she can sleep standing up! Sleeping supine seems to be a problem if there is gas, so side lying is helpful there. Still, it won't matter soon, and if he has gotten this far without any problems, I'd let him do what he wants. He will be able to soon enough, anyway!

[Mrs-M]

Sleeping positions varied in our house, from tummy, to side, to back. I never fussed much over the matter. Have you tried repositioning your GS after he's asleep? Re: flattening of his head, I wouldn't give it so much as a second thought, as Domestic Goddess mentioned.

[Mrs-M]

Was just laughing at the thought of some of the crazy positions I'd find my DK's in the morning in their cribs. Legs poking out of the rungs of the railing, butts, flat up against headboards, and blankets and stuffies heaped up in a ball at one end, and them, uncovered, at the other end. Whatever went on during the night I'll never know...

[poetry_writer]

thanks for all the replies. After several weeks of almost no sleep (due to his constant waking), his parents simply put him on his tummy to sleep. So do I. When i tried looking it up online, there were many incredibly detailed lists of how to get baby to sleep on his back. Seems to me if your baby is not sleeping and crying a lot , tummy is better than that. the idea behind back sleeping preventing SIDS is that the baby doesnt sleep as deeply so it lowers the risk.....So, a baby cant be allowed to sleep deeply for the first few months of his life? Didnt seem right to me. The docs do recommend back sleeping only however. Thanks again!

[Mrs-M]

One thing I found with my kids, was with the debut of each one, I became more and more relaxed to just let them be. I fussed like mad over the first, however, when the second, third, and forth, came along, anything went, and with our last two, little concerned me, because I had all but seen whatever a mom could see.

P.S. Enjoy your GS!

[catherine]

One thing I found with my kids, was with the debut of each one, I became more and more relaxed to just let them be. I fussed like mad over the first, however, when the second, third, and forth, came along, anything went, and with our last two, little concerned me, because I had all but seen whatever a mom could see.


+1

Doctors are all fine and good but nothing can replace mother's intuition.

[Mrs-M]

Bingo, Catherine!

[Stella]

Mrs M and Catherine, I've had the same experience. I am sooooo much more laid back with the littles on some things than I was with my oldest. We have had a mix in our house too. I'll admit that I've had a couple of kids that were tummy sleepers. I am grateful that Charlotte, my youngest (baby #5, 9 months old) has been a back sleeper, so I don't worry as much, but I had two that just would not sleep unless they were on their tummy. I had one that was OK on his back, but once he could get himself in other positions, usually slept on his side. I didn't change his position. My one nearly unbreakable rule in this house is Never Wake a Sleeping Baby. :) Obviously, there are odd times that has to be broken, but it has to be serious stuff. Sleep is like Gold, IMO.

[Mrs-M]

Stella. Sleep, IS gold, especially when raising little ones. :)

So glad you were able to adjust your parenting ways with each child. It really does make for a smoother, more relaxed environment (all the way around). I don't (at all) miss the days of checking up on baby twice/three times every hour.

[Mrs-M]

Have always loved this (http://mistupid.com/people/page072.htm) and wanted to share it with all the moms here! Particularly moms of multiples! :)

[Wildflower]

Mine were tummy sleepers, but that was also the recommended position over 30 years ago. Seems doctors change their minds, based on the latest research, on what the best sleeping position for a baby is about every decade!

Mrs-M, loved your link! :) So funny and so true...