Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]

AttachedPoll

Question: lay baby on tummy, back or side??

tummy - 49.4% (44)

back - 21.3% (19)

side - 29.2% (26)

Total Voters: 66

« WellTellMe • Forum • Natural Health • Children's Health • Sleep • Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies] »

(Read 4142 times) [1] 2

Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« on: September 26, 2006, 07:56:54 PM » by butterfly84

I haven't had any babies yet, but I will in the near future.
And was wondering what is the best way to lay your baby down to sleep.
The hospital says back or side, but some older ladies say on the tummy.
what do you guys do??Whats your opinion??

Brandi~

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #1 on: September 26, 2006, 08:30:16 PM » by Grace

For most babies I think sleeping on their tummy is better. They develop chest muscles from pushing them selves up with their arms. I would make sure that your baby is strong enough to lift his/her head. Just lay them on their tummy during the day and watch. My dd was born at 32 weeks so she wasn't very strong. I laid her on her side for the first 2 or 3 weeks until I felt confident she was strong enough. I bet you will get alot of different answers on this one! Cool

Logged

DD's 4 1/2 and 3 1/2 and DS born 7/6/08!

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2006, 08:53:00 PM » by Christal

I laid my babies on their back at night or when I was taking a nap and couldn't check on them. I laid them on their tummies during the day when I would be walking by occasionally. This way I felt safer about SIDS (though a lot of the stuff I read says it is related to vaccines but I would rather be safe) and they got tummy time to develop muscles. My FIL is a behavior disorder teacher in the public school system and he has seen research that babies need tummy time so that brain connections (don't think that is the right term) grow properly in the front of the brain. Just the way I did my babies.

Logged

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14v6

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2006, 08:57:57 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

I think safety-wise the risk of suffocation is lowest when they are on their side. However, it's not that likely that a baby would suffocate anyway on a regular crib mattress with just a sheet. Our old pediatrician said that the big campaign to put babies on their backs is a worldwide one, and so US doctors have to tell patients that, too, even though the suffocation problems were in countries like Scotland and Russia where babies would sleep face-down on two-inch thick lambs' wool with tons of blankets.

The truth for most of us, though, is that our babies sleep a lot better on their tummies. They don't tend to jolt themselves awake so much when their legs aren't up in the air and they feel secure and snug on their tummies. My third quit sleeping soundly when she was a couple weeks old, so I started putting her on her tummy and she's been a great sleeper ever since. I figured she was low risk for SIDS and when she wakes up a lot I tend to bring her into bed with me in my half-asleep stupor anyway and that's probably more dangerous than being on her tummy in the crib. I decided to trust the Lord with this decision and I made sure to check on her a lot. I'm glad I did it. But it's really up to you. It seems every little thing has a warning about it and sometimes we just need to be practical and use common sense to keep things safe.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2006, 09:06:08 PM » by mama2three

Quote from: Christal on September 26, 2006, 08:53:00 PM

I have never heard of SIDS being tied to vaccines, but then its not surprising because somehow everything is tied to vaccines these days. Wink

Everything I had read about SIDS has been tied to smoking around the baby and also what someone else mentioned about babies being bundled up too much (in colder climates).

I have always put my babies on their back but my middle one would not sleep well except on her tummy. So I finally began putting her on her tummy AFTER reading up on SIDS and being confident that we did not have any of the risk factors. It was still kind of a scary choice though! With my first and third, as soon as they were able they rolled over onto their tummies. So I always started them on their backs and then they rolled over on their own. With my third, I still go in and check her before I go to bed and make sure there is nothing in front of her face that might inhibit her breathing!

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2006, 09:07:18 PM » by a_new_creation

I lay mine down on their tummies. I think the majority of babies sleep better this way because when they are on their back they will startle themselves awake w/ their hands doing this sudden jerking thing. There is probably some real name for it, but I don't know what it is.

The reason the hospital says to put them on their backs is it reduces the chances of SIDS. If you go to www.cotlife2000.com you can read about one theory that makes total sense to me as to what actually causes SIDS. It would explain a lot of the statistics such as why breastfed babies die less often, why back sleeping does reduce the # of deaths, why many babies die after vax, and why subsequent babies (#2, 3, 4, etc. in the birth order) die more often than first babies. They have a product that, if the theory is true, eliminates the danger of SIDS completely (it's a special mattress wrap). I have it for our bassinet and crib, and *I* sleep better because of it. It was a small price to pay for more peace of mind.

This is a somewhat sensitive issue because of the nature of SIDS -- what a horrible horrible thing to have to go thru. I can't imagine going thru that myself (and try not to think about it right now as I am 29 weeks pg w/ #3 and hormonal enough as it is). So you have to do some research and come to your own conclusions about what you feel comfortable doing.

Logged

Carla
Wife to Doug ('00), Mama to Noah ('02), Claire ('04), and Chloe ('06)

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2006, 09:08:20 PM » by luvbnamom

My oldest slept on his side for about 2 months. We rotated him every night from side to side so he wouldn't get a dent on one side (we had a friend who's baby only slept on one side and was a little flat on that one side Shocked

). He then went to his tummy. Our second was on his side as well for the first 2 months, but always squirmed onto his tummy. They both slept great on they tummies and slept thru the night early on.

~Becca

Logged

Becca ~ Happily married to T & mommy to JJ 7 and JB 2~

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2006, 09:32:16 PM » by ShabbyChic

OneStepAhead.com has pilllows that are memory foam that babies can sleep on if you are concerned about plagiocephaly (head dents). My son has special needs and isn't strong enough to sleep on his belly yet, so we got the memory foam wedge to help with plagio and reflux at night, and a memory foam pillow for when he plays on his back. We work on tummy time every day, and it frustrates him SO much. I think ideally the side is best, and you can absolutely prop them on their sides. I did with my older son when he was stuffy.

I always put my kids to sleep on their backs, even though my older son began rolling over at 6 mos. and has slept on his tummy ever since. And the "back to sleep" program IS to help people who use the sheepskins and fill their cribs with bunting, pads, blankets, etc. All the kid needs is a firm mattress and a clean sheet and warm jammies. HALO makes sleep sacks that take the place of blankets (and stay in place all night!!).

Hope this helps.

Logged

That's Shabby SHEIK not Shabby CHICK. Hee-hee.

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2006, 12:11:50 AM » by AgainstTheGrain

For the first few weeks - maybe 3 or so - I rotate them - L side R side then tummy. After that I lay them down on their tummy! Wink

They do tend to sleep better that way.

As far as SIDS - the high risk factors (according to my midwife) are smoking and/or pets in the home, and bottle fed babies. Plus, research has shown that baby's that die of SIDS usually were subluxated in the same vertibrae Embarrassed

So, our babies first trip in a car (we have them at home) is to the chiropractor when they are a few days old!! Wink

But besides all that - I believe the Bible when God says HE numbers our days. If the Lord sees fit to take my baby home to be with Him, it's already predestined and how I lay my babies down is of no consequence. God IS in control. That's just me though! Other may feel differently Wink

Logged

Vanessa in Iowa
Mom to 5 boys and 1 baby girl ages Newborn to 12

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #9 on: September 27, 2006, 12:34:18 AM » by cjanderin

Sleeping babies on their back is very big in NZ because SIDS cases were really high here in the 1990s. Sleeping them on their side is no longer recommended because they would roll onto their tummy and was therefore even more dangerous (in terms of SIDS) than if they were settled on their tummy in the first place.

I slept all my kids on their tummy - the first two slept on their tummy during the day and their back at night until they could roll over and then progressed to always going to sleep on their tummy. By number three I just slept him on his tummy almost from the beginning.

I decided that we were not largely 'at risk' for SIDS - we didn't smoke, we aren't Maori or Polynesian, our house is not overcrowded and damp, they weren't sharing a bed with us, neither of us have asthma (and so they are less likely to have asthma/respiratory problems), and we had strong firm matresses without clutter. And for the first two - they were girls, which is less of a risk factor for SIDS than boys.

One of the biggest concerns I have about sleeping babies on their back is the flat head problem. Even with moving their head from right cheek to left cheek etc, they still end up with a flat head, and it is a growing problem around the world because of 'back to sleep'. But it is far better to deal with that than the grief of losing a child to SIDS.

It's just one more of the hundreds of decisions you have to make for your children ...

Logged

Erin

Wifey to Chris and mummy to Marcail (7), Alexandra (5), Joel (4) and Timothy (2) and Zipporah (9months).
Proud to be a Kiwi.

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #10 on: September 27, 2006, 01:55:23 PM » by healthybratt

Personally I think variety is best to prevent flat spots on their little heads. My son has one and I'm not sure it's ever going to come out. I tried to get him to sleep a different way, but inadvertantly always wound up in the same position no matter what I did, so he's a little flat in the back. Roll Eyes

Logged

My favorite herb book!!

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #11 on: September 27, 2006, 01:58:50 PM » by JuliaofSunnyside

Today my tummy-sleeping baby got a comment on how strong her torso is. I know, people always think of weird compliments to give babies, but she was holding her head up and pushing herself up way sooner than my other two, and now she is starting to crawl a month earlier than the other two (back sleepers). I am really not ready for her to be mobile, so maybe I will have the next one sleep on its back to prevent early crawling!

I say all this not because I think it matters if they do things like that earlier, but because I think they adapt pretty quick and get the head strength they need to lift their head out of anything that might be restricting their breathing.

My husband was more nervous about it than I was and he researched it and found that there is no proof that sleeping on tummies causes SIDS, and some say it might pose less of a risk than sleeping on backs.

Didn't there use to be something about not putting a baby on its back because it could spit up and then choke?

It's so neat to hear from someone from New Zealand!

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #12 on: September 27, 2006, 02:20:42 PM » by rebekahgrif

One reason I have heard that sleepong on tummy increases the risk of sids is the mold/mildew/ chemicals in mattresses. All mine were tummy sleepers LOL couldn't keep them on my back if I tried! They rolled over really early and started sleeping on their tummies LOL. And yeah, my mom said that when I was a baby it was taboo to put them to sleep on their backs because of choking.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #13 on: September 27, 2006, 02:24:31 PM » by Ami H.

I agree that variety is best. And I personally did the tummy or side during the day and their back at night. My third child did have plagiocephaly (Flat head or twisted actually). It was caused by tortacolis which is a tight neck muscle and she could only turn her head one way. It took a while for me to notice, but I had seen it before so I caught it around 4 month old. The Dr thought she may have laid in my uterus with her head cocked funny and didn't move much so she came out weak in that area. She had to go through physical therapy and wear a helmet on her head to reshape it. It took 8 months of constant work and worry. The therapist said to put her on her tummy whenever possible when playing etc. to strengthen her neck and chest muscles. The therapist said that they see more kids that way now since the Back to Sleep program. SIDS is a horrible awful thing, but Plagiocephaly is no fun either!

Logged

...I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...Phil 3:7-11

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #14 on: September 30, 2007, 05:36:42 PM » by BJ_BOBBI_JO

Because of how I heard and read the statistics that belly sleeping for young infants contributes to SIDS I never allowed them to sleep on their bellies until they could roll on their own.

I remember several stats at that time said SIDS has went down by 40% ( around 40%) since they have been teaching parents to not allow babies to sleep on their belly's all night.

So I would let them lay on their bellies throughout the day as I was watching over them. That way they could still gain strength in the neck region by lifting their heads. My babies seemed to like sleeping on their belly's the best but when it came to them sleeping in the night when I was also sleeping and unable to star at them 24/7 then I put them into one of those baby body pillow things that kept them from flopping unto their belly. I rotated them from sides to back in the night.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #15 on: September 30, 2007, 05:48:42 PM » by LKS

My oldest is 18 and back then babies slept on their tummies. By the time I had the next one (7 yrs later) Back to Sleep was the big thing because of SIDS. I know the Lord numbers our days but my hysterical, fleshly side is TERRIFIED of SIDS. My babies sleep w/ me and when they are very little I often sleep w/ them on my chest. I have 3 friends who lost babies to SIDS and I am a little nuts about it. I think babies sleep better on their tummies but at night I usually put them on their backs.
LKS

Logged

Visit my blog @ http://www.homesteadblogger.com/highdesertblog/

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #16 on: September 30, 2007, 06:57:23 PM » by Whiterock

I accidentally checked the wrong box. Can I change my vote?
WR

Logged

Who Needs God?

My Blog - Yarb d'Farb Knarb Check out the Wellness Wednesday tag for your health-related blog posts!

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2007, 09:25:12 PM » by lewisquiverfull

I know this is 'off topic' but I just wanted to show this to everyone about linking Sids and vaccinations:

http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Health_Concerns/Vaccines/crib_death_or_vaccine_death.htm

I just read Vaccination, Social Violence and Criminality. I wish everyone would take the time to study what we're doing to our kiddos. Cry

Quote from: mama2three on September 26, 2006, 09:06:08 PM

Quote from: Christal on September 26, 2006, 08:53:00 PM

I have never heard of SIDS being tied to vaccines, but then its not surprising because somehow everything is tied to vaccines these days. Wink

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #18 on: September 30, 2007, 10:42:02 PM » by happyhomemaker

We have 2 kids, and a third on the way. Our first had a really bad time choking, and we kept him on his side mostly. #2 did fine on his back, but early on learned that tummy was his favorite position. He's 20 mnths now, and Still loves to be on his tummy to sleep. All kids are different. Each parent is different, and the choices we make for each child are different too. If the next kid only sleeps on his tummy, that will be okay too. I really believe that SIDS is realted to vacinactions & problems that go with them.

Logged

Happyhomemaker

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #19 on: November 19, 2007, 11:12:46 PM » by hgoodman

In the past two days, I've started letting DH (one month old) sleep on his tummy during naps--and guess what?! He's sleeping longer! At night we co-sleep, so he's on his side, but during the day I'd always had a hard time getting to to nap for more than 10 minutes, since I was putting him on his back. I think part of it is that he likes to be held, and sleeping on his tummy fools him into thinking that someone is still there, because his little arms are pushing against a firm surface instead of flailing about. :-) I do check on him frequently, though.

We are vaxing, though, mainly because DS in in contact with family member who are constantly in contact with various diseases (DH is an EMT, and my family are missionaries in India--they all got Typhoid last year! I don't want to think of what other viruses or diseases they could be carrying, so we just vax as a precaution. It's worth it, I think, since it lets DS's Grandma hold him without it over-worrying his Mommy!

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #20 on: February 14, 2008, 10:58:52 AM » by *MommaJo*

Our pediatrition and local health department say 'BACK ONLY', but the hospital where my babies were born swaddle them up tightly and put them on their side.

I agree with the statement about the Lord numbering our days.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #21 on: February 14, 2008, 11:11:13 AM » by wyomama3

Mine is tummy only. He gets mad when he rolls in his sleep and wakes up on his back. I have an organic mattress pad over the mattress. I don't have any fluff in the bed, not even bumpers. He has always slept very soundly. He is just barely 6 months and is on his hands and knees trying to crawl. I think they have stronger upper body becasue of tummy sleeping.
BTW:
My first was a back sleeper and did not sleep. She was 'back to sleep' because I was scared into believing that she would die if not. I am surprised that I did not pin her pj's to the mattress the first time she rolled onto her back in the night. I recall panicking, becasue I just knew she had perished. Undecided

My next one I put on his side, if he rolled over, so be it. I didn't roll him back onto his back and wow, he lived.
I am surprised about the number of moms who sleep their baby's on their tummy, but don't talk about it because it is taboo. I am up front and open when asked, and then others tend to share. My siblings and I came from the sleep on your tummy generation. And we are fine, well, I am, you'll have to meet my sisters and decide for yourself. Wink

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #22 on: February 14, 2008, 11:29:03 AM » by ndmomof6

Only one of my five didn't sleep on their tummy. And that one had reflux, so she slept in her carseal a lot.

With my current one we kept putting her on her back because she always sounded like she was having a hard time breathing. (I now think it was because she was a c-section and didn't get her lungs "squeezed"). Anyway, she wouldn't sleep for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time. So we tried her tummy (at my midwife's suggestion) and she slept for a couple of hours. She now sleeps through the night (unless she rolls over on her back - then she wakes up and expects someone to put her on her tummy - even though she can roll over herself).

Logged

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #23 on: February 14, 2008, 01:44:52 PM » by brigonia

When I had my first it was side to sleep. I let mine sleep on their tummies or side. My babies spit up a lot and if they are sleeping on their backs they tend to cough/choke when they spit up. On their sides or tummies it doesn't bother them. I lay them on their tummies for naps and on their sides while they are nursing in bed with me.

I have very strong babies though. We laid our 6th baby on her tummy to sleep a few hours after she was born. When I checked on her later she had turned her head to the other side!

Logged

Briana

My blog
http://briana-icantdecide.blogspot.com/

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #24 on: March 12, 2008, 10:57:57 AM » by homekeeper

I know the original person who asked this question has probably has a 2 year old, but I didn't see anything like what I did here, so I'll add my 2 cents for anyone else looking for an answer on this.
It depends on your child. Period.
My first was induced to come out 10 days late, and she was strong and healthy. She lifted her head a looked around from the beginning. When she didn't sleep well on her back, I put her on her stomach, and she slept, well, 'like a baby.' My second would not sleep unless she was swaddled. I mean period, would not sleep. So I swaddled her, and she laid on her back. She was 4 months old, and almost 16 pounds and something like 25 inches. She had outgrown every swaddle blanket we had, and the ones my MIL made larger to fit her were going to be too small soon. Well, we had a few rough days getting her to sleep without them, but I transitioned her to a sleep sack instead. And now, she loves her sleep sack, and I love them too. I used to get up a few times a night with my first and put the blankets back over her because I was afraid she was cold. But I sleep soundly knowing her blanket is attached to her! Just feel out your own child, and also do what works. I agree that it's in God's hands anyway.

Logged

My 2 1/2 year old was walking around "reading a book". I hear her say "And God created the world with a big hug..."

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #25 on: March 12, 2008, 02:21:04 PM » by brightspot

My oldest children were tummy sleepers from the start. The hospital put them that way. Now they are to sleep on their backs but they seem to hate it! My last two, didn't sleep well at all the first few days until I tried to give them a nap on their tummy. Then they slept a couple hours! I'm about to try this baby on her tummy at night! She is 8 days old and only sleeps about 2 hours at night without waking up-that's on her side. On her back I'm lucky to get 10 min.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #26 on: March 12, 2008, 03:34:19 PM » by CountyCork

Tummy sleepers here. The last four of our six, anyway.

We made a point to rotate them in their crib until they can roll themselves. Put their head at one end one time, then to move "around the clock" every so often so their heads face in different directions - prevents any molding, gives a different view of light and pattern, etc.

Once ours start rolling, they are on their own.

Fear made us do side and back sleeping with the first two, but granny-type common sense led us to do tummies with the last four. No immunizations here, breastfed, cool rooms, good bedding.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #27 on: March 12, 2008, 04:59:29 PM » by maceoghain

Ditto.

Our two, we put to sleep on their sides with a rolled up towel (behind their backs for support) for about the first 2-6 weeks. During the day-time we put them on their tummies until we saw them move their heads from side to side, and demonstrate neck strength.

From that point, they were on their tummies and slept much better!

My only cautions to parents are: have a tight-fitting sheet on a firm mattress with nothing else (no blankets, just dress them warmly) in the bed.

And to conclude....a few friends and family members have subscribed to the "back-to-sleep" method. Most of their children have flattened heads.

My $.02! Grin

kate

« Last Edit: March 12, 2008, 05:01:57 PM by maceoghain »
Logged

All the way my Savior leads me...

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #28 on: March 12, 2008, 09:12:20 PM » by TheBearsWife

I ditto what a lot of others say about doing what is comfortable for you and your baby.

In my experience of 7 babies, I have put all of them on their back to sleep. I used the babywise routine and they were all excellent sleepers. Also, none of them had a flat head. They slept with their head turned to one side or the other. I just made sure when I laid them down to alternate which side their head was turned. Also, I changed the end of the bassinet/crib they were sleeping in as they tend to turn their head more often to the direction of mom's approach.

Logged

Re: Poll: Best Sleeping Positions for Infants [Newborns/Babies]
« Reply #29 on: March 12, 2008, 09:23:42 PM » by Wing

My only regret with my first baby was not putting him to sleep on his tummy sooner. Finally he was sleeping a long time, not crying when I put him down, getting good quality sleep. I checked on him approx. every 2 sec. since I was worried about what they say about putting your kids on their stomachs. I did a lot of research and concluded the DPT shot is responsible for SIDS, so since I did not get shots for my kids, I did not worry about it anymore. I started my other two on their tummies from birth (usually sleeping on my chest for the first week or so) and they did great too. We also did the babywise routine, but there was MUCH less crying when they were falling asleep on their own on their tummies.

Logged

(Read 4142 times) [1] 2