Sleeping on stomach

[orika]

Hi,

My baby girl Ori is 11-weeks old and we have been following the EASY routine since she was 6-weeks old. I recently discovered that by putting her to sleep on her stomach during the day (a highly controversial issue – I know) I can get her to extend her daytime naps from 45 minutes (max) to 1.5 and even 2 hours (I often have to wake her up because she sleeps so well.

However, naturally I feel quite uneasy about the dangers associated with stomach sleeping, and I also wonder whether this isn't an "artificial" means of prolonging the naps that is actually not in tune with Ori's biorhythms.

Please help!

Thanks

Anat 

[~*~Little Miss Sunshine~*~]

Hi there!  You are right that putting your baby to sleep on her belly is controversial but overall it is your decision.  Some babies do sleep better that way.  If you really want her to sleep on her belly and not have you worry, I recommend using the AngelCare monitor.  It alerts you if the baby stops breathing for more than 10 seconds (I think).  That way you can sleep more easily   And to answer your question, I don't think putting her on her belly is an artificial means to prolonging naps.  Babies for many many many years were put to sleep on their bellies (in fact, as soon as my LO could roll over, he started to sleep on his belly and still does!!)

HTH!!

[Canwi]

Controversial topic ... yes.  If your LO sleeps better that way, they may have a reflux-like problem. 
My SIL has a REALLY spitty baby (probably has a form of reflux but never been diagnosed) who has never slept on her back.  SIL found that the baby wouldn't sleep on her back as an infant, so put her down on her front.  Baby sleeps great.

You need to do what works in your house.  If your LO sleeps better on their stomach, then go with it.  They are getting sleep, and in good chunks.  If you feel you need piece of mind, I agree with the previous poster that an apnea monitor would be a good idea.

I don't think you are doing anything that is out of line with your LO's biorhythm.

[legend_018]

I can't remember how old, but both of mine because stomache sleepers early. It was so stressful having them sleep on there back as they just didn't like it. I couldn't believe the difference with my first. I think it happened on accident, I either just tried it or maybe it was when she could roll over...but it was like a miracle. My second one, also...seems to like it, although I started letting her sleep on her side right from the very beginning in her basinet and not on her back. she had pretty bad reflux. Doctors are very strict about it and I know my mom gave me a hard time about it. But, I did what I felt was right. My two babies both had VERY strong heads as well as bodies from the get go.

[orika]

Thanks everyone for your advice . I think I may get the monitor that was mentioned here – this may enable me to get some much-needed sleep myself (instead of checking up on her every five minutes to make sure she's still breathing…).

[MackMum]

I put myself through a lot of guilt and anxiety when DS1 seemed to sleep better on his front (from about 2months). At first i just used it occasionally for the hardest naps, or to get him back to sleep after a 45min nap, but gradually I started using it for more and more naps - he did have mild reflux so perhaps it helped there, but the main thing I reckon is that he did such big jolts when he was trying to fall asleep. Sleeping on his front meant that his own body weight seemed to suppress the jolts. We ended up getting an angelcare monitor to give us some peice of mind with regard to cot death. Also made sure he slept on a firm mattress (with a special plastic cover that blocks fumes off the mattress that are possibly one of the causes of cot death).

Now DS2 is also a short napper at just 3 weeks. And I'm not nearly so worried about putting him to sleep on his front if it works, you have to do what you can to get through the day sometimes and so long as you have precautions to guard against cot death then I don't think you need to beat yourself up about it. Also make sure that your child has enough neck/back strength to lift their head and turn it.

[ammie32]

Agree with all!!!  DS1 was a tummy sleeper from 2 months because we held him all the time and he wanted to snuggle up to something.  He wouldn't sleep on his back for naps so once I did the tummy he would sleep hours!!! 

DS2 not so much!  But we learned from AP mistakes with DS1 and didnt hold to sleep.  So I say you should do what you know works and get the monitor for peace of mind!!! 

Good luck!