Seven months old sleeping on his tummy??
By mandiSDlady
@mandiSDlady (17)
United States
September 17, 2009 9:34am CST
Ok, so I get it. I know that a baby from newborn till they are twelve months old are suppose to be PUT TO BED on their back. Well my son is seven months old now, and like most seven month olds he rolls around. Well he has just now started rolling over in the middle of the night, on to his tummy. Now part of me says, "No he's not suppose to sleep in his tummy till he's twelve months old!!" and then another part of me says, "Ok if he's rolling over by himself, he IS seven months old; and not shy at all to let me and everyone in a twelve block radius if there is something wrong. Maybe it is ok for him to sleep on his tummy now." I'm really going back and forth about this situation. He slept soo much better when he was sleeping on his tummy. What do you think? What did you do with your children?
7 responses
@mneff2003 (14)
• United States
23 Sep 09
My sons wouldn't sleep on their backs from the day they came home from the hospital so I just made sure to keep the sheets tight and didn't use blankets in the crib and let them sleep on their bellys. The doctor didn't like it but I couldn't be up all night and day too and they would wake up within 5 minutes of me laying them down on their back. They are 15 months and 8 months now and doing fine. Actually the first week my son was home and was laying on his back he almost choked on spit up, if I hadn't been there I don't know what would have happened. Since then I rather them laying on their belly.
@hwoarangpoy (196)
• Philippines
18 Sep 09
That is pretty normal. What is important is that he sleeps well. They need more sleep to allow their development. If he feel comfortable on his tummy let him sleep on his tummy.
@ravinskye (8237)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Once my kids could roll over well I didn't worry about it. My daughter preferred to sleep on her stomach too. And she slept a lot better while she was on her stomach. Just make sure there are no blankets or pillows that he could end up face down in that might cause him to stop breathing well. Usually after 6 months of age they say the risk of SIDS decreases pretty dramatically so I think you are safe to let him sleep the way he is most comfortable.
@jessi0887 (2788)
• United States
17 Sep 09
My son was the same way around that time. I asked the doctor and was told that when they start to roll over on their own in their sleep that its okay. Just to insure there are no toys are anything around him that can cause him to suffocate.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Honestly, neither of my children would ever sleep on their backs. I tried it with both of them and neither of them ever slept until I put them to bed on either their tummy or on their side.
Now as far as the fact that your son is seven months old and able to roll around on his own, I really don't think there is a problem with the fact that he rolls himself onto his belly to sleep. If I recall correctly, it's been almost three years since I've had a baby, the reason that they say to put a baby to sleep on their back when they are small is because they can't lift their heads and really move should something go wrong while they are sleeping. Since your son is able to roll, I'm sure that he also has pretty good control of his head as well.
@austensawyer (29)
• United States
17 Sep 09
I think that if he's doing it on his own, then you should be okay. There's not much you can do if he rolls over on his side in the middle of the night. Just keep your baby monitors on and try to keep the crib free of clutter and blankets. A lot of babies prefer to sleep on their tummy.
@irisisflower (79)
• United States
17 Sep 09
Hi mandi,
The decission seems so terrifying, I know. I allowed my children, at that, to sleep how they saw fit. Of course I was a vigilanty and they slept in the same room with me, but I think you should do what feels good and right for you. There are pillows you could place on either side of him to prevent him from rollin over. I don't recommend using towels or baby blankets as that can be a hazard to his breathing. Go with your mommy intuition and stop feeling guilty, if he is happier on his tummy, then allow both of you the peace that is and can be sleep! LOL Good luck to you and stay strong. Have a great day.
