I Need Advice

Dear J.,

go on www.drgreene.com and see if you can get an answer there. Also try Vincent Iannell, MD About Pediatrics.

C. N.

Hi J.,

I just wanted to share my take. They change the position they think it should be every 10 to 15 years. But once a baby turns by themselves, your no longer in need to worry what side she sleeps on. Its ok. You put her to sleep on her back and she turns over to make herself comfy...she is at the stage to start sleeping her way. 22 months is long enough for her heart to be stable. The back thing is for newborns as doctors believe babies hearts get repressed and stop, causing SIDS. Relax your doing everything fine.
God Bless,
C.

I have a 21 week old boy that started rolling over about 4 weeks ago. I asked my doctor what his opinion was on sleeping on their belly's. He said he was just fine with it. He said if they can roll over then it's ok to let them sleep like that. The first 2-3 nights I checked on him a lot. He was always just fine and I watched him move his head from side to side. He did a great job picking up his head to change sides. I can't get him to sleep on his back now. He's a total tummy sleeper. I think your daughter will be just fine.

Hi J.,
My son did the same thing, I was so worried being a 1st time mother myself, but like Claire said, I made sure nothing else was in the crib with him. I always made sure he was dressed warm enough (My son didn't like being covered and still doesn't use a blanket, he's almost 2 years old) I also bought this cool crib Bumper guards) http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=118598451... I still have these on the crib. I had to rig it to work on his crib since it was a sleigh type crib, but once I knew he was rolling over well enough I knew that him sleeping on his tummy was ok, he slept so much better that way too. I felt best knowing that the crib bumper was safe and if he moved his face towards that area, he could still breath through the bumpers. I always put my son down on his back, he always turned on his tummy. So just to make yourself feel comfortable just make certain your daughter can roll over pretty well.
Best of luck

it happens my daughter did the same thing. the best you can do is lay her on her back when you put her down.

Once babies can roll onto their tummies, it is ok to let them sleep that way. Always put her down on her back, but if she flips over don't worry. Make sure there is nothing that can block her breathing like blankets or stuffed animals and that the matress is firm. My daughter only sleeps on her tummy and that was since she was able to roll over.

Have you tried using one of those baby props. I forget exactly what they are called, but it is 2 pieces of foam (there are various shapes such as cylinder or triangle) covered and linked together by fabric. You put it down where baby sleeps. You lay baby down on her side on the fabric between the two pieces of foam and it prevents her from rolling over all the way to her back or front. Check it out at a baby store or even toys r us. Good luck!

To my knowledge our mommy job is to put them on their backs to sleep. Once they can roll over, our job changes to ensuring they are dressed warmly enough (but not too warm) so that only the baby is in the crib - no blankets or anything. You should still put her to sleep on her back - let her determine when she rolls over!
If you are still worried, talk to your pediatrician.

Hi J.,
ok from what i have had with my daughter was there is a pillow that is raised up about 1 inch. it has littel side barriers that if placed in the right place will prevend a child from rolling over in thier sleep. I had used one for my daughter and now i can't seen to let her fall asleep with out her little "wedgie pillow" i mean sure some doctors say its bad to let a child sleep on a wedge pillow but it also helps with breathing. having a clid on a slightly raised surface can help open up airways especially if they have a cold or stuffy nasal problems. you could try it it doesn't cost that much maybe like $10-$12 dollars but in the end could be a great investment. it worked for me and she did't roll anymore in her sleep. also when the child gets a bit older you are able to remove the bumpers on the pillow and still kinda use it- mine won'tpart with it yet and she almost 1!!!

I've heard once they start rolling over it isn't as important.

Both of my kids would only sleep on their stomachs!!!! Their docters said that if they rolled over them selves then the could roll back over if their was a problem so not to worry about it!!!! He also said to make sure that I kept the home smoke free and to use lighter blinkets to reduce the risk of SIDS. So i hope this helps!!!! =)

Hi J.! My son did the same thing! I always put him to sleep on his back and then he would wake up on his tummy. Unfortunately, when they are able to roll over there is really nothing that you can do (its just the start of their independence!). Plus at this age your daughter should be able to lift her head. I wouldn't worry about it too much but you may find that a call to her pediatrician can ease some of your worries!
Good luck!
T.

You can purchase something to keep them in place while they sleep. You can get one at Target

I have a boy that is 20 weeks. He does the same thing. This started when he learned to roll over. My first son always slept on his back so I didn't have to worry about this with him. I make sure that the crib sheet is secure and tight and there isn't anything else like toys or a blanket that can suffocate him. I put him in a sleep sack to keep him warm, listen for breathing and pray a lot.

Hi J.,

I allowed my daughters who are now 6&8 to sleep on their stomachs. I made sure their crib was clear of all obstructions. I found that the slept better and stayed sleeping longer. SIDS factors point to smoking in the house and boys - we had neither situation. I really felt that it was more important that they sleep soundly and develop their brains during that critical time.

Just my 2 cents - good luck. K. von Raesfeld - www.mybarefootbooks.com/KvonRaesfeld (in case you LOVE beautiful childrens books like me)

Theres little you can do if the baby is rolling over by herself. You can buy those pillows that go on both sides of the baby at any bay store. Both of my children rolled over on their stomachs and we had no problems. Just make sure there is nothing in the bed ecspecially around her head area. I think it will be just fine.

I wouldn't worry so much. So many of us were raised sleeping on our tummies and we're fine. Babies sleeping on their backs seems the best to prevent SIDS. I was still new to the idea of infants sleeping on their backs when my daughter was born. I propped her on her side. I hear that's not the best either, but she's was fine.

Hey J.- there is this bed sleeper I am not sure what it is called but I have seen them at Wal-Mart or Target and it is a rectangle sponge like thing.. anyways, you put the baby to sleep on it, it keeps the baby from rolling over the middle part of the rectangle. Believe me, it works!! Look online you may just find it cheaper.. runs about $15 or so.. Good luck!!

Just make sure that she is sleeping on just a snug fitting sheet, with no blankets besides the one covering him up. The reason they say to put baby on 'back' to sleep is to prevent suffocation but there is not much you can do about it once they start rolling over besides take measures that their is NOTHING in her crib besides the thin blanket covering her or better yet, do like I did and dress baby so that she'll be warm all night without a blanket.

Hi J.,
Honestly, I put my son to sleep on his stomach all the time when he was an infant. I would bundle him up and lay him on his back and he wouldn't like being bundled up then he'd startle himself and wake up crying.. I watched him a few times when I wasn't sure how he'd do on his stomach but I noticed that if he had trouble breathing he would actually lift his head- and he lifted his head within a couple weeks of being born.. I guess he just knew what he wanted! He did just fine- He's a healthy happy 3 year old that loves sleeping on his face now!-(well, just kidding- he's all over the place when he sleeps!!)- My advice is to just watch her sleep a few times, don't have anything in her crib that she could suffocate on- no blanket too high, or stuffed animals and I think she would be just fine.
:) M.