Babble

I had a conversation with my mother- and sister-in-law today and thought I'd like some feedback from Babble posters. 

I make my decisions regarding how to care for my baby based the best information currently available to me.  In the case of how she sleeps, there's no question for me.  She sleeps on her back.  I'd rather err on the side of caution.

My sister-in-law, on the other hand, found that her son (now 2) slept better on his stomach, so that is how he slept as an infant.  Her logic is that if she and her siblings are okay after sleeping on their tummies as babies, then her baby is likely to be fine, too.  My mother-in-law questions the theoretical and research basis of the "back to sleep" recommendation and thinks that the medical community is desperate to soothe concerned parents, so they came up with recommendations that may--or may not--keep babies safe by dropping the SIDS rates. 

What do you think, and what have you read about this topic?

I actually agree with you. The SIDS rate has dropped since Donna Shalala (spelling?) made that cross the board recommendation. Logically, I think little baby's sleeping on their backs makes a lot of sense. When they are too small to lift their heads, but can move, I think sleeping on their stomachs makes it too easy for their airways to get blocked. Oddly enough, my parents put me to sleep on my back long before the recommendations were made (I was an infant in the early 70s.)

I wonder what people think about co-sleeping and SIDS rates as well....

I have research that supports co-sleeping to reduce SIDS. Not only is the baby's temp regulated better, but baby is prevented from falling in too deep of a sleep from moms occasional movement. Excellant for breastfeeding moms and extended nursing too.

That's what I believe as well. I was actually very shocked when the doctors and nurses at the hospital were horrified to find me sleeping next to my newborn. They said I might roll over him!

i've had the baby for about 5 days now and i was breastfeeding for the first 4- we cosleep for a few hours each night when he feeds and at first i freaked out because he was on his side most of the time not on his back.... my mom (mother of 6 and nurse) said basically if he was on his side and/or sucking he is breathing since the sucking makes him breathe through his nose and the side sleeping has the effect of allowing any spit up to roll out and not jsut go back down the throat (think of how you would put a very drunk person who might throw up)

i am not sure how i feel about tummy sleeping for now, but i wonder because we do a lot of skin to skin  upright slinging and he falls asleep on my chest.... i'd love to see some more research on SIDS ( i sort of avoided it because i didnt want to scare myself into checking him every three seconds) so if anyone wants to post some links i'd appreciate it

Congrats on the new baby!  I hope you are all doing well! 

For the first six months, we co-slept at least the second half of the night so my frequent nurser could get what she wanted without keeping me up all night.  :-)  Although she slept on her back whenever I wasn't near, I had no concerns about her being on her side or tummy when I was watching or holding her.

 

Hey there - SIDS scared me to pieces and we have swaddled our little one in Halo products (www.halosleep.com) and now she sleeps in a sleepsack (like a vest that is closed at the bottom - they wear them over Pjs). The sleepsack keeps them on their backs and the ones from Halo  I can sleep easier knowing that she is safe and not under a loose blanket  - and a portion of each purchase goes to support  First Candle/SIDS Alliance to support SIDS research and education.

 Hmm, my husband and I were actually quite worried about this as well when we first bought our son home three months ago. However, the only way he fell asleep in the beginning was to sleep on our chests. However because I am a fitful sleeper at night and can't stand sleeping on my back....my husband sleeps with him every night on the couch with our son on his chest.

The majority of the time Damien(our son) just sleeps better on his belly on someone. Hell, I've been more worried about putting him on his back in his crib because of his tendency to roll all over since he was born. Then he thrusts his legs to pivet his body in such way that his head will end up in the matress. -.- Very active like me at night.

Anyway, the co-sleeping arangement is not only the easiest one for us, it's also still safe. He moves and whines if he's too warm or cold and my husband will wake right up and adjust for him. He wakes right up if damien shifts too much so it's quite comfortable.

And it gives me a break from holding him day in and day out. I get to sleep on my side in a nice soft bed and take a little break. Feel bad for saying that. I still worry about SIDS and proberly will until he reaches about 3 1/2 years old...so do what works best for you. ^-^