Rolling over at Bedtime

i put both uf my kids to bed on their stomachs. both slept better that way. i belive they say that you are in the clear with SIDS between the 2-4 months. if the baby is rolling than i would say that she will be just fine. don't worry too much, she sounds like a very strong little one.

Hi Lani,

Since you said she can hold her head up as well as raise her chest up, I am inclined to believe that she will be fine on her stomach. It seems that even though she can't roll from front to back yet, that she is mobile enough to make herself comfortable and safe. My little one never rolled over at night until he was crawling but I would say you sweetie is just fine. If you are stll concerned, though, don't ignore your instincts, talk it over with you daughters doc. Mine was always wonderful about questions no matter how silly I felt about asking!

Hi Lani,

Both my sons would only sleep on their bellies. From the day I brought them home from the hospital. If I put them on their back they would be awake screaming in about 20 minutes. On their belly they would sleep until the cows came home. I think at 4 months, as long as you don't have a ton of blankets or anything in the crib, she should be fine. Have you thought about calling her doctor and seeing what they say? Tell them the situation. Maybe they will be able to give you a solution or tell you it's nothing to worry about at this stage??

Sorry I can't be more help I can just tell you what my experience was. I know SIDS is very scary so I get where you're coming from. I guess you know your child best and you should do whatever makes you comfortable.

Good luck!!!

N.

My pediatrician told me not to worry and that if my 18 week old could roll over and pick up his head that he would not smother himself. He might cry because he couldn't turn over but he would be ok.

Once they can roll over their chances of SIDS are much much lower. I wouldn't worry much, but I would give her more tummy time so she can learn to roll back over onto her back. She may actually surprise you and figure it out in the middle of the night if you leave her on her stomach - my son figured out how to sit up by himself in the middle of the night. I would go into his crib and there he would be, sitting. I never actually witnessed him doing it until about a week later.

My kids were both belly sleepers. They also both held their heads up the delivery room...the first one I diligently put to bed on her back every night, and she would sleep for about an hour and a half at a shot. A mommy friend put her on her belly one day and she slept for 4 hours. I was sold. The second one I waited until she wasn't up for swaddling anymore, which MIGHT have been two weeks old.
My kids were also sleeping in my room though, so I was totally aware of them at all times. And by the time I moved the second one out of my room at 4 months she was army crawling so I figured she could hold her own. You know your baby, you know what is best for her, so follow your instinct.
www.sclb.net

Once they can roll over they're typically fine. Give a call to your pediatrician with your concern and they'll be able to allay your fears just to be on the safe side.

Dear Lani,

Because she is healthly and strong enough to raise her chest up on her hands, don't even give it another thought. My little guy, Matthew (now a very healthy 2 1/2 year old) was so much happier on his stomach that I left him there when he would roll, and then I started putting him down that way. I worried for a while, but he really did sleep so well and woke up rested. Once he pulled the blanket over his head. He cried and when I got there he was all sweaty and out of breath. That convinced me that if he was having trouble breathing, or just uncomfortable, he would let me know. If your little girl is tired of being face down, she will wake up and call for you. And, as my mother-in-law always reminds me, when we were babies we were always put down on our bellies, and we have lived to tell about it.

K.