sids question

[agnes_day]

when i had my first 2 children, i was always told to let them sleep on their stomachs. well, then it was their sides...my little guy has been sleeping on his side since i brought him home..now i just read that you arent supposed to do that either and also that sids is a risk until they are a year old! usually, i dont worry too much but of course, this is every moms worst nightmare..the problem is that my little guy wont sleep flat on his back and now he has somehow figured out how to roll over onto his stomach. granted, his sleep has improved immensely, but i am worried..what is the basis for the not letting them sleep on their tummies? is it just a guess or does it somehow keep them from breathing?
there are so many conflicting opinions that i am ready to just do what i think is best and not worry, but of course i do worry anyways. right now, he is sleeping next to me on my bed on his tummy and he seems fine, to me.

 

[SpringChickens]

I think when they sleep on their tummies, they are more likely to get caught in a position where they smother themselves. Same reason you're not supposed to use crib bumpers or heavy blankets or have pillows or stuffed animals in the crib with them.

All you can do is put him to bed on his back. If he's able to roll from back to tummy at night, there's not much else you can do. Of course, if he's strong enough to do that, he's also probably strong enough to reposition himself if he gets into a spot where he can't breathe.

 

[roseplummer]

Once baby is able to roll it is usually considered ok to sleep on the tummy.

 

[agnes_day]

yeah the crib bumper thing and blanket thing baffle me also..i have always used both of these..and now i wonder if i have been screwing up all this time or something.
i can put him on his back, but he cries and wont stop..no matter what. mainly because we have always wrapped him in his blanket and stuck him on his side. i just didnt know if doctors were against sleeping on their tummies because of maybe a condition that could arise from it, or because they "might" smother.

 

[claud]

Most of the research is statistical - meaning more babies that died from SIDS were on their bellies.
I don't think anyone knows for sure why it happens but there is a lot of research on it - some even suggests that some babies are more genetically at risk for SIDS. A theory suggests that pooling of CO2 around their nose/mouth while sleeping is the cause.

I was paranoid about that too when my DS was little. Once they are able to roll over there's not a whole lot you can do as far as making them sleep on their backs. I think it's important not to have too soft of a mattress and keeping pillows and such away. Also, there is some research that says more babies die from SIDS that are in a very warm room or dressed very warmly than those that are in a cooler environment.

 

[agnes_day]

yep, i hate the first few months..constant checking and making sure everythings ok..

 

[klf73]

my son is 3mo and won't sleep on his back, NONE of my kids would sleep on their back. I try for a week then give up cuz the lack of sleep. I wouldn't let him sleep in MY bed on his tummy just because the mattress isn't firm enough, even a firm mattress has quite a bit of quilting, makes me too nervous. My pediatrician told me as long as they can lift/turn their head easily don't worry about it

eta- I haven't used bumper pads since #2 had himself stuffed in the corner against them and I almost had a heart attack as I thought he wasnt' breathing. I also gave up comforters, I use lightweight blankets cuz my house is never that cold.

 

[agnes_day]

hmmm..so it sounds like they really dont know what causes sids and they are just throwing out ideas that might prevent it.

 

[klf73]

In my opinion there is always risk, on their back they have the risk of aspiration (same idea as drunk passing out on their back). I never did like the back thing but I still gave it a shot, tried the side thing too when I had dd(14).
I will say it is rather funny that I get comments all the time about how my kids heads have nice shapes

I think that their(back sleepers) heads are shaped into an unnatural shape by being on their back all the time

eta- I did want to add that although my ped told me not to worry about it he also told me to NOT put him on my bed like that

 

[agnes_day]

yeah i worry about that too, because he spits up bad when hes on his back...and then chokes on it!