Tummy Sleeping

My boys are 8 weeks old & recently we discovered that they sleep a LOT longer if they're asleep on their tummies. We realized it when they fell asleep during tummy time & we didn't move them. Right now they're on their tummies & they've been asleep almost 3 hrs...almost 5 hrs since they've eaten last (which is rare)! I know that to prevent SIDS, babies are supposed to sleep on their backs. But when is it ok to let them flip to their tummies? I've heard it's fine once they're able to roll back & forth on their own. I've also heard it's okay when they're able to lift their heads & turn them side to side (which mine do, frequently repositioning their heads while they're napping on their tummies).

Keep in mind I do NOT let them sleep in their cribs on their tummies, nor do I let them do so if I can't constantly be checking on them or be in the room with them. I'm scared I'm causing damage, but on the flip side, they look so comfy & peaceful, it's hard to make them go to their backs (and go back to 45 min naps!)!!!

Any input?

PS I also think they like their tummies because it helps hold their Nuks in. I'll peek on them & they're just sucking away. They always seem to lose their Nuks when they're on their backs & we do CONSTANT trips to them to reinsert them. Funny how I almost wish my boys would find their thumbs!!!

 

don't call the cops or anything, but mine have been sleeping on their tummies even at night since about 10 weeks.... h34r:

at first i was REALLY paranoid, with all the publicity of the back to sleep and all that, but they really do sleep a lot better this way...

 

I posted about this a while back, but I truly believe that tummy sleeping is America's dirty little secret. Sure, we all know we are supposed to sleep them on their backs....but parents across the country are telling other parents in hushed tones that they sleep them on their tummies.

I'm thinking about flipping my 16 weekers over soon because my DD flails and wakes herself up and breaks out of her swaddle. I'm thinking tummy sleeping would help that!

I think as long as they can pick up their heads, they'll be fine. Remember prior to the early 90s, it was the norm!

Suzi

 

ditto on the startle reflex and flailing limbs when on their back--and they ALWAYS managed to get at least one arm out of the swaddle...they are sleeping so much better (7 to 9 hour stretches at night) now...

 

Josh liked sleeping on his belly a lot but we didn't discover that 100% and that he slept a lot longer and better and more sound on his belly till he was around 4 mos. He came home from the NICU at 2 mos. He started sleeping through the night not too long after that.
I stopped worrying about SIDS and the whole belly sleeping thing just because I don't think its 100% because of belly sleeping. It was either have a child that was grumpy, cranky and tired and a mom the same or let him sleep on his belly.
I tilted the head of his crib up quite a bit, put a u shape made with rcvng blankets where his legs would curl up under his belly and he was usually all snuggly in that little space and he slept great.

I say you have to do what works for YOUR kids and not buy into every single thing. I mean why not let them sleep good.

 

I just started letting my son sleep on his belly. It makes me nuts but, it makes him happy. He is almost 4 months and can move his head and lift his chest and neck. He has only rolled over from belly to back twice and this was in the past two days. At any rate, my ped. was pretty vague about it but I got the feeling that once they can move their heads around it is okay. It still makes me nuts though.

Thanks,
Amy

 

I agree with everyone else. My mom talked me into putting them onto their stomachs for naps at about 1 1/2 mos. They weren't napping very well - I was EXHAUSTED - so i agreed. It worked like a charm. They loved it on their stomachs. I was very nervous at first - but as time went by and their head/neck control got better - I started putting them down at night like that too. And like everyone else - it felt like my "dirty little secret" I was almost afraid to tell anyone I was putting them on their stomachs. They are a very healthy happy 7 3/4 mos old now. Good luck!!

 

MIne sleep on their bellies too - have for a few weeks now. They sleep so much better. And they can now roll from belly to back. I agree w/ all previous posters.