My little guy is five and a half weeks old and absolutely will not sleep on his back. He startles and cries and flails his arms and legs around. We have let him sleep on his belly while we're awake and watching him, but I'm considering letting him sleep on his belly at night, too. We co-sleep as well. I think he has gas pains sometimes, and laying on his belly helps that too.
I have done a little research and found that some people have had the same experience and just go ahead and let thier babies sleep on thier bellies. Does anyone have the same experience? I'm terrified of SIDS, but I don't know how much of a danger this really is.
nobody really knows what causes SIDS. if your baby is more comfortable on his belly, let him sleep on his belly.
When I was an infant, it was recommended babies sleep on their tummies.
Now the opposite is recommended. I guess I'm just saying "expert advice" can and does change, so don't worry too too much.
Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. My mom has owned a day care center for twenty five years and she says the same thing. Pediatrician clients of hers have her put thier baby on its stomach to sleep, so it can't be the terrible thing it's made out to be.
My son was the same way-he'd startle himself and wake up while on his back. We let him sleep on his tummy, and he'd sleep much better. I agree with the previous posters. No one knows what causes SIDS, and who knows if it's even related to the baby's sleep position? I've also heard that it's a good idea to have a fan on in Baby's room, as being too warm can lead to SIDS. Also, like greeneyedbellydancer said, it used to be recommended for babies to sleep on their tummies (and we turned out fine!).
When my daughter was born, I did put her on her back. She slept fine that way, so I left her alone. However, she spit up in her sleep when she was 4 days old and started choking. She was sleeping in our room, so we got to her immediately. Poor thing had stuff coming out of her mouth and nose, and it took over an hour to get her to stop screaming. From that point on, we put her on her tummy. I'd rather her spit up all over her crib than to choke on it. I just think it's safer, but that's just my opinion.
My mother was suprised when I told her the doctors suggest laying babies on their backs since the opposite was told when I was born. Of course she smoked during her entire pregnancy and the doctors said nothing also, I was born 1980 and the info did not come out till later.
But like it was posted earlier, there is no answer as to what causes SIDS, belly or back, all infants are sadly at risk. I would allow him to sleep on his belly if that is what he likes, but I am NOT a doctor, call yours and confirm, that is what I would do.
Have you tried swaddling him then putting him down.
I was more worried about babe getting face caught in bed sheet and not having the muscle control to move head properly at a young age
Yeah, my 12 week old daughter will not fall asleep on her back for the same reasons you listed. But if I put her in a tight swaddle she sleeps pefectly on her back.
I never believed in that crap stuff. My son only wanted to sleep on his stomac, and still does so I let him and hes a healthy happy 2.5 yr old.
My daughter preferred to sleep on her belly as well. She now rolls all over her crib during the night. Don't worry about it, especially if she is co-sleeping with you.
I also recommend swaddling him. If he has gas problems, you can do the football baby hold and it might help.
Put him to sleep however he will sleep!! :) They only came out with the reccomendation that babies sleep on thier backs recently. Generations of children survived being put to sleep on their tummies. Bottom line, they have no idea what causes SIDS so they are trying to change everything and see what MAY work. If the he sleeps just fine on his tummy while you are awake, he will do just fine while you are alseep.
The swaddling may help as well, but by the time my kids where that age they didn't want any part of being wrapped up anymore.
Good luck!! 
Let me preface my post by saying this: I am not trying to make anyone angry nor am I judging...just wanted to give my opinion.
I agree with the hype of not letting babies sleep on their tummies and the no co-sleeping rule as well. This is why: My daughter was in the NICU for 8 weeks. We (my husband and I) saw more than we ever wanted to see while we where there. We became extremely close to the nurses and heard so many horror stories. Of co-sleeping babies and babies left to sleep on their tummies.
The reason SIDS is thought to be caused by tummy sleeping is: Carbon dioxide. When babies are sleeping on their tummies they breathe more of their own carbon dioxide output than what would be safe...suffocating them and causing SIDS. My daughter is the same way...has very bad gas pains and hates sleeping on her back. I swaddle her and/or put her in a positioner on her side and she sleeps great.
As far as co-sleeping...the first week we were in the NICU we heard of more than 6 infants just discharged that died from suffocation due to co-sleeping. I was horrifed at this and it scared me enough to NEVER sleep in the same bed as my infant! We do, however, have what is called a "co-sleeper" (pretty much a pack-n-play) that attaches to our bed . This is the "safe" way to co-sleep with you child!
Once again...I am not trying to make anyone angry but just wanted to put this information out there for you to make your decision based on what works best for you.
The "back to sleep" campaign has been very successful in my opinion, SIDS deaths have dropped 50%. That being said, though.... there is no much you can do if you have a tummy sleeper. Babies tend to get their way. :)
I started letting my son sleep on his stomach at about 5 or 6 weeks. He was able to move his head well and he could roll over if he was on his side. He was also very large and had none of the risk factors for SIDS, so I didn't worry about it. He absolutely wouldn't sleep on his back - he would wake up every time you laid him down on his back. Once we started letting him sleep on his stomach (in his own bed) everyone was much happier at night! Just read the info and make your own decision. If stomach sleeping is what's best for your family, then do it. Don't let people make you feel bad about making an informed decision!
Both my daughters were belly sleepers from the day they could roll over. I never was concerned with SIDS, nor did I let any health professional or over-protective stranger make me feel bad for doing so. SIDS has become a catch all for suffocation. Yes, there are obvious risks to placing an infant with poor neck muscle control on the belly to sleep. Also, loose blankets and sheets are an obvious no-no. You know your baby though. I suggest you trust your instincts.
I just wanted to add that both my children slept better on their bellies, BUT I was very careful. I waited until they could lift their heads (very soon with my huge son!) and I put them to sleep in a crib with a firm mattress and tight sheet only. I also kept them in footie pajamas rather than under blankets. No stuffed animals or crib bumpers, lots of air circulating.
I wanted to be careful, but a doctor pointed out to me once that SIDS is, by definition, death for an UNKNOWN reason. So it can't be suffocation.
I agree that you know your baby. You'll make the right decision!
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