https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 24 May 2026 20:08:27 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2501407 Mon, 21 Mar 2016 09:03:46 +0000 snowjewelz 2501407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For naps I let her since she'd nap in the living room where I could keep an eye on her. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2501119 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 19:17:53 +0000 Portboston 2501119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did a ton of research and read a lot of studies on the risks and SIDS...there is a really interesting study that was done in New Zealand on the toxicity of mattresses. Once people started wrapping their mattresses, therefore limiting the toxic off gassing, the rate of SIDS dropped dramatically. SIDS is also more common in the winter months when homes are closed up and we don't get as much airflow. There is a lot of people who think the rate of SIDS is directly correlated with toxins in the environment, specifically in our bedding and mattresses. (Unfortunately I don't have the energy to google the links to these studies but they should be easy enough to find if you're interested!) </p> <p>Due to the info above, we chose to get a non toxic mattress for his crib and we ended up stomach sleeping LO almost immediately after we came home from the hospital. We tried to sleep him on his back but he would roll to the side. No joke, he did this the day we came home from the hospital. He fully rolled from tummy to back at like 6 weeks. He had unusually strong head control from the beginning. (I later learned it was due to a tight dura mater from a "traumatic" birth -said his chiropractor) the stomach sleeping helped with his reflux as well, as it naturally closes the esophageal sphincter. </p> <p>It's all about what YOU feel comfortable with as a parent. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2501064 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 17:53:12 +0000 edelweiss 2501064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i did it with my second. i'm not an expert, but i read enough to the point where i felt comfortable with it. @hb3233: articulated some of the reasons why i did. i'm not saying the choice is the same for everyone and i definitely felt nervous sometimes, but in the end i feel like i made the best decision for our family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2501017 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 15:56:10 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2501017@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hb3233: lots of good points there...interesting, thanks for sharing!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2501007 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 15:28:12 +0000 hb3233 2501007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: This is exactly when I think the recommendation stops making sense, when the only alternative is doing something (i.e. falling asleep on the couch with a newborn) that we know can be quite dangerous. I understand why public health people want to make things black and white, but reality is more complicated. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500987 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 15:05:44 +0000 hb3233 2500987@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kemma: Establishing causality requires both that SIDS is diagnosed consistently over time (which it's not, since it's a residual category of deaths we don't understand) and that there not be other trends happening around the same time that also led to a decline in infant deaths, which is a hard argument to make as a lot is going on. A decline had already started before the BTSC, which is suggestive of something else at least partially driving the downward trend. There's not an accepted medical link between sleep position and SIDS, dozens of biological mechanisms have been proposed without much agreement. The fact that it could reduce SIDS is plausibly enough to recommend it, but the scientific evidence is thin. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500984 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 14:58:29 +0000 Ms maths 2500984@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't put our kids down to sleep on their tummies until they could roll over themselves (around 6 months), and it worked ok for us sleep-wise. But I definitely think everyone has to find their own balance to following recommendations and still making their life manageable.</p> <p>But with regards to SIDS: SIDS deaths peak between 2 and 4 months, so (from a statistical point of view) you are not taking a greater risk by doing it now as opposed to waiting another month or two. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500983 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 14:58:13 +0000 birdofafeather 2500983@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it isn't something i am comfortable with. i feel like i can be pretty easy going about a lot of stuff, but that would make me worry a lot because of the lack of strength in case they got stuck in a weird position. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500978 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 14:48:14 +0000 Corduroy 2500978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.kiwi: I couldn't get my newborn son down. I held him all night for 8 weeks. Just to prove to myself that I had tried everything I put him on his tummy. He slept for three whole hours. It was the longest break my arms had gotten in months. I didn't like putting him on his tummy but I figured it was safer than me holding him on the couch (also not recommended for SIDS). I discussed it with the pediatrician. She wasn't thrilled and asked me to try to put him on his back every week or so but he never did sleep that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500939 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 13:50:28 +0000 Kemma 2500939@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hb3233: I believe that the SIDS rate in New Zealand reduced seven fold since the "Back to Sleep" campaign was introduced so it has definitely made a difference over here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500869 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 11:03:30 +0000 MoonMoon 2500869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just for myself, my anxiety was through the roof, and I never felt good having him sleep on his tummy. But I bed shared since day 1, so we all make choices based on comfort level, I guess! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500858 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 10:29:12 +0000 ms.line 2500858@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hb3233: Yes, thank you! I've been bed sharing with my 2 week old, and out of neuroticism I've been looking into a lot of the SIDS research - it's often murky at best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500852 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 10:12:14 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2500852@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm if it's the only thing that works and you're able to literally sit there and watch the nap and make sure lo's airway is clear and nothing gets in front of lo's face, then maybe it could be ok. But that seems like more work to me than just figuring something else out. Driving, swing, rnp, any other baby holders including wraps slings and carriers, holding through naps, everything. Who knows maybe it's just coincidence that it worked. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500851 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 10:01:58 +0000 youboots 2500851@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter slept in a RNP till 4 mo. After that she rolled on her tummy in her crib she has always been a stomach sleeper.</p> <p>I know some people don't believe in it but my Angel Care monitor gives me piece of mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500828 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 09:19:02 +0000 SweetiePie 2500828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am too much of a scaredy cat, but I think that this is a judgement call. There are probably moms out there that would say they would never tummy sleep but do/did/would cosleep/bed share which is also advised against. My point is, everyone picks and chooses what is convenient for them despite recommendations. </p> <p>And for what it's worth, my sisters good friend is a NICU nurse and tummy sleeps her newborns! She doesn't make it public knowledge because she knows she will be judged, but based on her knowledge and understanding of the risks and her comfort level, she feels it's ok.</p> <p>@hummusgirl: for me personally that's what I would do too. I would try the Harvey Karp tips and do some trial and error on what works. And then if I was really desperate (because couldn't a sleep deprived and delirious mom also be a hazard to a baby?) I would first try it during naps when I am likely awake and nearby. And depending on how that goes, maybe try at night. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500823 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 09:01:53 +0000 hummusgirl 2500823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'd pull out all the other stops before turning to tummy sleeping. Have you tried tight (arm) swaddle + loud white noise + pacifier + bouncing on an exercise ball for a few minutes? This combination worked for both of my boys. After hearing about a couple friends of friends who experienced SIDS while tummy sleeping, I didn't want to risk it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500808 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 08:14:22 +0000 NavyRN2012 2500808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just wouldn't risk it. The risk of SIDS is too much and, while sleep is important, just not worth it.<br /> Also, the argument that we all tummy slept because it was the recommendation is just silly. Our parents did a lot with us that, in hindsight, was extremely dangerous. Just because we are alive (in spite of it), doesn't mean many others didn't die because of it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500806 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 08:10:36 +0000 hb3233 2500806@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Despite conventional wisdom, it's really not clear that the back to sleep campaign reduced SIDS deaths. These are deaths that are essentially unclassified - not understood - and part of the decrease since back to sleep started in the early 90s may simply be coroners filling out another cause of death on the certificate. There are &gt;10x more SIDS deaths in Mississippi than in NY, but identified causes of infant death are higher in NY and it has more to do with how the deaths are classified, not that SIDS is actually that much different. Also, back to sleep emphasized creating a safe sleeping environment more generally - like keeping blankets and other objects out of the crib, which we know is dangerous, and that may have played a role in the decline. Over half of all infants who die of SIDS are on their backs, not on their stomachs. Studies that led to the back to sleep recommendations in the first place have small sample sizes and are not all that compelling. </p> <p>Ultimately SIDS are deaths that aren't understood, there's things we think might reduce them, like back sleep or breastfeeding, but ultimately we don't really know since we don't know what causes these deaths in the first place, they're rare, and the statistical associations are weak. I think half the reason we have these recommendations is that people want to feel like they are doing something to stop horrible things from happening, but sometimes there is just nothing that you can do. One hypothesis is that SIDS is oftentimes caused by undetected cardiac issues and really has nothing to do with what parents do or don't do. If following a recommendation that might, maybe decrease the risk of infant death leads to behavior that we know increases that risk - like falling asleep with the baby on the couch in the middle of the night - it personally doesn't seem worth it. There's some evidence that advice not to bed share has backfired, precisely because people then fall asleep with an infant in a chair or on a couch, which is much more dangerous than bed sharing following certain recommendations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500803 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:58:09 +0000 pwnstar 2500803@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Nope Nope Nope. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500801 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:54:55 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2500801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 2 week old would shimmy onto her stomach in our bed and then sleep sooo well. The only time I've let her tummy sleep (she's 9 weeks) is when I am fully awake &amp; present to check on her frequently. She had great neck strength, but I won't feel comfortable with solo stomach sleeping until she's able to roll. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500797 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 07:34:51 +0000 maddyz 2500797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If there were other SIDS risks like parents who smoke I wouldn't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500782 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:52:24 +0000 Foodnerd81 2500782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I never did, but I wasn't tempted- my older daughter hated being on her stomach until she was much older. So yeah, back was definitely beat for her! </p> <p>If she had like tummy sleeping I probably would have been ok doing it for naps when I was in the room with her for the most part. I think I would have been too nervous to do it at night, but I don't know. Sleep is really important to everyone! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500775 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:25:32 +0000 pachamama 2500775@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>In the past, parents were encouraged to have babies sleep on their stomachs. My mom put all of us on our stomachs and we slept very well. I think if they have good head control you can do it. My 9 week old sleep sooo much better on his stomach. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500768 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:18:04 +0000 regberadaisy 2500768@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would never do it. I completely understand some babies sleep better on their tummy. Both my girls didn't start STTN until they were probably closer to a year when they started rolling to their tummy when I put them down. It was really rough waking every 2-3 hours every night. But the risk really wasn't worth it for me.</p> <p>I definitely wouldn't at that young when they have no neck strength or head control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500767 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 06:14:55 +0000 yellowbird 2500767@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, I would never do it. I think you just have to go with your gut on this one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500758 Sun, 20 Mar 2016 03:04:39 +0000 Ree723 2500758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's all about what you're comfortable with. We put DD2 down on her tummy from very early as well (maybe 3 weeks old, possibly four?) as it was really the only way she would sleep. She obviously wan't rolling yet but she had great head and neck control and I was comfortable with our decision. She also slept in a PnP right next to our bed so I could check on her frequently.</p> <p>I know a lot of people would never do it, but honestly, I felt confident in our decision and it was what worked for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500748 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:33:31 +0000 QBbride 2500748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was comfortable letting my babies to sleep on their tummies before they could roll, but definitely not until I was confident they had strong necks and could lift their heads. I would say closer to 2-3 months. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/tummy-sleeping-a-newborn#post-2500744 Sat, 19 Mar 2016 23:27:41 +0000 mrs.kiwi 2500744@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My 1 month old is hard to get down for a nap.. She will nod off while breastfeeding and I just let her and put her in her crib.. Then she will nap. When I bounce her to sleep she will drift off but when I put her down in the crib she is up again.</p> <p>Today on a whim I put her on her tummy and patted her to sleep. It took awhile but it worked!</p> <p>Did you tummy sleep your newborn/baby? Before he/she was able to roll over?</p> <p>I want her to sleep comfortably and well.. I also know people have been tummy sleeping their babies forever and most of the time it's totally fine. I was tummy slept.</p> <p>BUuuUt of course I feel some mommy guilt due to risk of SIDS..</p> <p>Thoughts and experiences? </p>