6 Month Old Sleeping on Stomach

I don't think you need to worry. Lay him down on his back to start. Remove anything that could cover his face (blankets, stuffed animals, toys, pillows, etc).

If he is strong enough to be able to roll himself over he is strong enough to lift his head up if he can't breath. My daughter is almost three months and sometimes will only sleep on her stomach. It made me worry at first but she lifts her head up if she is face down.

I was told that as long as they roll over on there own - it should be fine. My daughter was swaddled up to 6 mths and she rolled over even while swaddled - I called the dr on that and she said she should be fine since she's doing it on her own. Don't know if you have a bumper on the bed but if so take off (not good to use anyway)or buy the Breathable Bumper (great)! Good Luck!

Hi S.,

First of all, to reiterate what others have said, please don't worry. Your baby should be fine if he rolls onto his tummy (get some sleep)!

I wanted to comment though on an incorrect comment on this board for everyone's benefit.

NOT ALL SIDS BABIES DIE WHILE LEFT ALONE. I'm not sure where that poster received their information, but it is incorrect. My neice died of SIDS at age 2 weeks while being held -- she just stopped breathing for no apparent reason. Not all SIDS cases involve suffocation with other objects, etc. Also, the risk of SIDS is from 0 - 12 mos (approx.), but as the baby gets stronger and lives longer, the risk decreases. I think most cases occur before age 6 mos and is more common among some racial groups than others, is more likely to happen when it's cold (possibly due to blankets?), and is more common in boys than girls. Sometimes, things just happen that are beyond our control. I feel for mothers (and fathers) who's child has died of this terrible syndrome who may feel they are to blame due to some misconceptions out there... sometimes it may be due to loose blankets, etc. and sometimes not.

Thanks for letting me clear that up. Didn't want any MORE misinformation out there than there already is...

Once they can roll over by themselves you don't need to worry about it. Just make sure there are no loose blankets, stuffed animals, etc.

Also, over the years the "rule" for how a baby should sleep has changed so many times...on their back, on their tummy, on their side, etc...my little guy slept best on his tummy and that's what I did with him. To me it made more sense because when he spit up, he didn't turn his head so that it would fall out of his mouth, he laid there choking on it. If he was on his tummy, his head was turned and it would fall out. Just something to think about!

Congratulations on your little man! :)

you do need to worry about sids, HOWEVER, you do not need to worry about stomach sleeping since he is rolling over on his own and quite mobile it sounds! this is a good thing, they are worried about rebreathing exhaled air with stomach sleeping, and as long as he is mobile enough to roll himself around and move his head around and stuff, then he is perfectly fine to be stomach sleeping. just remember to still keep any thick blankets and stuffed animals and pillows OUT of the crib, only use light blankets, and if you can, tuck them in. place baby as far to the bottom of the crib as you can (especially when they are mobile, they tend to scoot up and squish their heads into the crib rails...) and tuck the blanket in no farther than half way up the crib. do you know what i mean?

as far as your comment in ( ) about crib in your room: my son is 20 1/2 months and his crib is still in our room. he sleeps through the night (something he didnt completely accomplish until he was around 15-17 months old). i just want to let you know that this is GREAT, it is GOOD for baby, and i highly encourage you and congratulate you for following your instincts instead of naysayers who may tell you that he needs to fall asleep on his own in his own room... blah blah.

also, dont feel guilty if you dont want to make him cry it out. what is "IT" anyway? doesnt make any sense to do that. crying is how babies communicate a need, and ignoring the cry is ignoring the need, no matter what. babies needs and wants are the same. you will notice a change somewhere around a year old where baby's cry will be different and not as urgent. just stay in touch with your baby, allow yourself to do what your heart tells you to do, and you wont have any trouble determining when that time is :D

Most of muy babies slept on their stomachs. In the "old days" we put them that way on purpose. Later, when the back sleeping puch began, mine still slept better that way so I started them on their backs at night and if they rolled over I left them alone. As long as there weren't any items in the crib they could get tangled in I didn't worry. A sound sleep was the goal.

SAHM of seven, 23 yrs - 22 mos.

Worrying about something you can't control causes needless stress. A baby sleeping on their back won't prevent SIDs. There is a correlation between tummy sleeping and SIDs, but what that means no one knows. Some researchers have discovered some interesting problems with SIDs babies in their brains, but there's no test that can determine if an infant will be affected so we're *all* told to force them to sleep on their backs. If they could come up with a test we'd know who was vulnerable and who wasn't, and we'd all sleep a lot better at night - especially the babies.

I know it's hard (this is my fourth and I still tend to worry occasionally) but try not to worry about things you can't control. The chances of your baby dying from SIDs are a lot less than some of the dangers he'll face as he gets older, so learning to worry less now will be good for you and therefore him.

Funny you post this as I have just finished studying SIDS in infants for nursing school. If your baby is already crawling then he's got strong enough neck and arm muscles to hold himself up off the mattress should something happen. Also - can he roll back over the other way normally? If so - even better. As long as you are keeping objects out of the crib still (blankets, pillows, animals) he'll be fine. I also noticed someone else said to use a monitor to be placed under the mattress - breathing monitors will not help to prevent SIDS - they are only relevant if you already now your child has an apnea problem. A movement monitor might help - but you'll be woken with every move he makes and it'll probably worry you more than necessary. The fact that you are conscience to him "needing" to sleep on his back sounds like you have done all you needed to do with your son. He big and strong enough now - so no need to worry!

I wouldnt worry about it to much at all. He is turning on his back himself so he is able to move about just fine on his own. If he gets face down he will move himslef when he is uncomfortable he is at that age now once they start to roll from front to back you cant do much to stop it. So I say let him go he will be just fine. He must like to sleep that way and my son liked it also once in awhile. Some kids like it a lot and sleep that way every night and its ok. Its whatever is more comfortable to them at this point. Kids at all ages sleep in weird ways and look uncomfortable.

There has been no conclusive proof as to what causes SIDS - the stomach lying scare is just one theory. Both of my kids were stomach sleepers and are alive to tell the tale (13 & 20).

Since he is strong enough to roll he is strong enough to lift his head to breathe and will do so while sleeping.

I can't imagine how the rumor started that healthy babies would forget that they need to breathe...

Also, feel good about sleeping next to/near him. SIDS babies are always alone when they die.

I am glad you asked about this because that is exactly what my 6 month old daughter does! As soon as I put her down she rolls onto her stomach and I have tried to move her to her side, but she simply goes back to her stomach! I also tend to worry and find myself listening for her breathing and getting up to check to to see if she is ok, instead of sleeping myself. She wakes up rested, while I feel like I stayed up all night. It is good to know that it is ok, according to the responses you received, but I don't think I will be able to stop worrying about it.

It's true that you should be worried about SIDS until 12 months. However, once a baby can move there is really no stopping them. He is perfectly capable of moving if he needs air. Just make sure there are no stuffed animals, bumpers or blankets that he could "trap" himself in. Relax, he'll be fine! Don't stress over what you cannot change. Worry about all the energy you're going to need chasing after a crawling 6 month old! Good Luck! Hope this helps.

Once they can roll to their tummies and roll back they are fine. The only time it is a concern is when the babies are learning to roll over around 3-4 months and do not have enough voluntary muscle control to roll themselves back or lift their heads. Be sure to remove all items from the bed such as stuffed animals, toys, pillows and blankets and your baby is fine. (Now I want you to take a breath as your son is doing this at night) and know that he is fine and you are breathing together. (((HUGS))) and congratulations on your baby meeting a big milestone.... Celebrate and do not worry as he is healthy....

If your son can roll over and crawl (which is great for his age) trust me he will not keep his head buried in the mattress...they are a lot smarter than we give them credit for! He will yell out for you if he finds himself in trouble...don't worry!

I panicked, too, when my first did this, but if he can roll himself over, he's fine. Get some sleep! We moms all know how precious that is! :)

My son is now 8 months old and has been sleeping on his stomach for a few months as well. There is nothing that you can do about it - he will be fine! My doctor told me that so I was quite reassured. The risk of SIDS drops tremendously at about 6 months and when they can start to roll over. I know you will still worry, but there is nothing you can do and he will be fine. Caden will only sleep on his stomach now! My son is also a handful because he is all over the place - always on the go. But, he is soooo lovable!

I JUST took a SIDS class for starting daycare and they told us not to worry if a baby "rolls" onto their stomach as they are able to roll back over if they can't breath and are more likely to wake themselves up if they were too stop breathing. Just make sure not to have a blanket or thick type crib bumper, any loose bedding, or any stuffed animals in with him that could obstruct his breathing. Hope this helps relieve your worries a little (of course you are a mom so we know this is practically impossible).

Welcome to the world of worrying! My daughter does this also. I read in one of the posts that there is no conclusive evidence about sleeping on the stomach being a problem. This is not true. They have evidence that SIDS has dropped by 50%. However, since your son is rolling over both ways consistently...I think this would reduce my fear as well. My daughter wasn't so I had some sleepless nights. The other proven fact is: now that the powers that be have implemented the "Back to Sleep" initiative...50% of babies now crawl late or crawl after they walk (like my first daughter did). So - you are above the curve in that aspect! =) Take care!

our three month old daughter sleeps on her tummy every night - it's the only way she'll sleep. as long as he's rolling over & turns his face away from potential barriers, i think you're fine. my son would ONLY sleep on his tummy, but always turned his face away from the side of the bassinet/bed so we didn't worry about him too much.

i know our parents probably put us on our tummies to sleep & we turned out fine, but i still get nervous! :)

I totally understand your concern. My son rolled onto his belly to sleep at 4 months and has slept that way ever since. I addressed the concern with my pediatrician and he responded by saying, once a stomach sleeper, always a stomach sleeper. If he is strong enough to roll, he is strong enough to raise his head and adjust if necessary. My son is now 6 months and I have no concerns at all. Happy sleeping!

I would not worry too much now. Since your baby is so mobile, he is way less likely to suficate at night. You just have to make sure that there is nothing in his crib that could suficate him. The doctors just say not to put them on there belly's when they are unable.

If he's rolling over himself, then no, I wouldn't worry about it. Where it's of concern is when they don't have the muscles to roll themselves.

My daughter has been sleeping on her stomach since she was old enough to roll over (she's just about 8 mos now). If he can move around in his bed and he's crawling when he's awake, he should be fine. Still put him on his back initially, if it makes you feel better, but if he rolls over to his stomach, then that's how he feels more comfortable. I wouldn't worry about it at all. Just make sure there's no long strings he can get ahold of or no oversized blankets or pillows in his crib...he'll be fine.
Hope this helps!

Once babies start rolling on their own there is not much you can do during their sleep-they can usually move where they need to to stay safe-as a SIDS trainer what I know is that even though the incidences of SIDS have reduced since the Back To Sleep campaign-that SIDS is not caused by suffocation. It is a mixture of genetics and prenatal issues that causes SIDS. SIDS can happen in children up to one year of age-then it is called something else. There is so much we have to be concerned about when we are raising children-but sleep is very important for everyone.If you had a normal, healthy pregnancy-and there are no other issues with your little one-you should get more sleep!!

Hi S.,
Once your baby is turning over on his own there is really not much you can do to prevent him from doing this while he is sleeping. The chance of him suffocating by rolling over on his face and then not moving when he can't get air is so remote. At this point, I think the important thing is to make sure their aren't pillows in the crib and just let him have the bed and a blanket or two. Your baby is getting older every day and he is going to be just fine. You need to relieve yourself of this worry or you'll drive yourself crazy with all the possible bad things that could happen to him, now and in the future.
Good luck,
L.

I have heard that as long as they can turn over by themselves, they are fine on their stomach, if you are really cncerned however, there are pads that you can put under the matress which monitor for breathing, they are expensive, but you can find used ones on ebay for about $75.00

My son did the same thing. Even the day care told me that once they roll over on their own there is little worry. Our son slept so much better once he found his tummy, and he is now 10 months old and still sleeping soundly!

I have three daughters and my first was the "perfect" back sleeper, she still only sleeps on her back and she is 5 now! but my two youngest HATED sleeping on their backs, my 2 year old started rolling over at 2 months to sleep on her stomach and her Dr. told me that as long as she was doing it herself he wasn't worried. Now my new baby, who is also 6 month's is doing the same thing, for about a month now she prefers to sleep on her tummy, as soon as I lay her down on her back she rolls over and falls asleep, like "come on mom this is what I like!" I'm sure by now you should have no worries if that is the way he prefers to sleep and he is flipping himself. Good luck with your little man!

My kids would keep crying at a month old if I didn't flip them onto their stomach. I think if your baby can flip back and forth he'll be fine. That's what I heard anyway.

S., yes sids is can happen to children under a year, but when i started to have children, the drs said dont lay your child on stomach, then they say dont lay them on their backs, the drs switch back and forth as much as butter vs margarine, so we flip at night some of us do it more than others, some of us are comfortable on one or the other, i ve had three children, and each of them slept differently , if your child is happy and sleeps well, why bother it, he is in your room, and you can check on him, as parents we do that anyway, just enjoy life, and they are linking sids now a days to honey, so dont give your child honey till way after 5 or older, just enjoy life, and be happy D. s

Once they are rolling and crawling, they are PLENTY strong to clear their head/nose/airway; you are still encouraged to put them to bed on their back to start, but once they start moving, leave them be. He should be fine. Also, SIDS is most common from 0 to 4 months

SIDS can affect kids even beyond 12 months. however it is rare after that.

Once your child rolls over, there really is not much you can do to prevent them from doing it. My son is a tummy sleeper and it took awhile for me to adjust to that as well.

From what I've been told and what I've read, once the baby can crawl and roll over on it's own, it's ok for them to sleep on their tummy. It's only when they can't control their body muscles where sleeping on their stomach is a concern because if they get themselves into a comprimising position with the inability to breathe, they won't be able to control their muscles enough to escape the danger and could suffocate. I wouldn't worry about it. It's actually good that he's on his tummy now because it will strenghten his stomach and back muscles more to walk earlier.