Am I Worrying over Nothing?

Hi! Its a good thing that she sleeps on her side - that reduces the risk of SIDS (my ped. told me white males are the highest risk group for this, by the way). Can you take the duck out of the crib completely, when she is not sleeping, and have it be a toy for playing with instead of sleeping with? That way she can still have the duck, just not in the bed. Children under 1 year of age are definitely at risk for SIDS, so I think you are right to be considering some alternatives. What about a smaller duck (or other lovey)? One that won't cover her whole face. It may be a bumpy transition, but worth it, I think!

Dear B.,

As a licensed family child care provider in Pinellas County I will share with you our latest regulation:

Infants are not allowed to have anything under them besides a tight fitting sheet, and no soft toys in their cribs due to the rise in SIDS deaths due to them. Infants are not allowed any types of pillows either.

As a parent if you are already feeling this is a concern then go with your GUT feeling.. nobody knows more than a mom what is right for her baby!! I would remove it with the knowledge I have and your added concern.

Hope this helps you... remember raising children is not always easy, and as a parent we need to do the right things for our children not always the things that make them happiest.

Best of luck!
L. G.

Anything up against your daughter's face is a threat as far as SIDS goes. Yes, the odds are small but this is a perfect example of the 'tough love' everyone talks about. You're going to have to remove the 'dangerous' ducky when she sleeps. Eventually, she will adjust. Good luck

Hi B.,

Sleeping on her side is good. And remove everything out of the crib!

Check the duck and see where it was manufactured. What type of material is it stuffed with? The beans are probably not something she should be inhaling. And is the fabric a natural fabric like cotton? If it's safe let her play with it when she's awake and with you.

There is a lot of evidence that SIDS is caused from chemical toxicity in the lungs that are too little to handle it. My sister, a retired social worker who previously licensed and monitored day care centers, said there were more deaths in "clean" ones than those "not so clean." Avoid chlorine bleach completely, it does not rinse away, and find a non-toxic laundry detergent for her things.

I would be glad to give you more information on chemical toxicity if you're interested. Feel free to email me anytime.

Regards,

M.

I would take it away. These sleeping habits can be hard to break in the future. She won't miss the duck after long but can still snuggle with it on wake time. Now is the best time for setting life long habits!

I have a son born 8/02/07. He sleeps on his tummy even if I put him on his back. He also sleeps with a pacifier. He likes to sleep with his blanket in his face. Personally yes they say there is a risk for SIDS, but I dont know if it so common at this age especially if they are strong and can move thir head easily. Its really just your intuition if you will sleep easy than take it. Theres is nothing weighing the duck down, its probably small. I would say go with your gut whatever makes the 2 of you happy.

I she is able to roll over from her side to her back, I say leave her be. I'm a firm believer that children know what's best for them naturally, and if it comforts her to sleep with the duck smushed to her face, let it be. If she can roll over without help, her natural response to a lack of air would be to roll over and find some, so let her make that decision for herself.

After reading the other responses, please bear in mine YOU are the best judge of what's right for your baby. Next to that, your BABY is the best judge of whats right for her. 100 years ago when we didn't have the knowledge we do today, parents went with their guts to tell them what was right. And granted we had higher death rates and shorter lives, but we didn't go extinct for it, so there must be ahealthy validity in trusting our gut feelings. Don't let the paranoid parents and self-rightous doctors get the upper hand on YOUR opinion and judgement.

my son is going to be 7 soon... he had/has a "blanky" that he sleeps with and has had it since birth...He wrapped in around his face too and sucked his thumb and slept on his back. I asked the doctor if this was ok and he said that he will know if he can't breath he will move it. I asked this when he was about your daughters age... the age that when they start to come out of newborn stage to Infant stage...

watch her see what she does. she may give you your answer.

Have Fun with your baby... They grow up WAY TOO FAST! My oldest will be 15 next week and my other one will be 7 in May. I MISS THAT BABY TIME!

K. J.

Mom, if you sense danger then you know what you already know what's required of you - be guided by your gut, it's ALWAYS on the side of your mamahood! Congratulations on taking a year off from teaching to be with your little one; the time flies so treasure each moment of each day!
Been There!

No, you're not worrying over nothing because we've been taught to be cautious about SIDS. But I know what you mean because my daughter has always slept with her binky and "pinky bunny" which is a bunny head with a little blankie as a body. She likes to do the same thing and cover her eyes with the pinky bunny and a lot of times it's right in her face, but when she falls asleep, I just move it to where she's holding/cuddling, but clear around her nose. I think the older they get, the more confidence I have about letting her sleep with a blanket or stuffed animals because she can now move things herself. I may be criticized too and I still worry even with a 10 month old sometimes when I go to bed, but I have a video monitor and check her throughout the night. I've always just made sure there's space around her nose, even if she has the bunny near her face. Hope I'm not a bad example or giving bad advice, but my baby's been fine...