You hear everybody say that babies are NEVER supposed to sleep on their tummies.
Well, I swear Kendra came out sleeping on hers.
Here is proof from the NICU at 1 day old.
And as you can see, she just never stopped. This is her at 11 weeks. Aren't those little legs cute?
When your very fussy baby sleeps longer than 10 or 20 minutes on their tummy, you'll take it! At first I was paranoid so I'd check on her literally every 5 minutes. I soon started to relax because she really is so much more comfortable like that.
Connor wasn't too taken with the tummy sleeping however.
He slept on his tummy for the first time at 7 weeks. But not for very long - I think this session he managed an hour.
Now he sleeps both ways, but does sleep longer if on his tummy.
Do you let your baby/ies sleep on their tummies, or am I the only one breaking the rules?
Josiah only sleeps on his tummy when my mom has been holding him and then lays him down on the couch to sleep next to her while she's doing something else. Someone is always right there the whole time so I don't worry about it, but I wouldn't be able to sleep if I put Josiah to bed at night like that. I'd be up constantly checking on him. Besides, he sleeps great on his back.
ReplyDeleteThe only sleeping "rule" I broke was allowing Josiah to sleep in bed with us some nights when he wasn't going to sleep. It was only in the first week he was home for a few nights. But I was confident in my own ability to not roll over on him since I was already laying on my side and he was cradled in my arm. That's a big "no-no" according to the dr.'s, but as a parent you often go with what works.
Ha! I do that-kinda. Claire loves to sleep on her side, specifically her right side. I wasn't aware that babies slept on their sides, I figured they'd fall over one way or the other. Some how she manages not to, with her hands covering her face and nose slightly smashed into the mattress but like you said, she's more comfortable!
ReplyDeleteBB like to be on her tummy sometimes, but really sleeps well on her back. I am freak out paranoid all the time but especially when she's on her tummy. It's getting better but I'm still scared! I have an angel care monitor (goes under the mattress and picks up the smallest movements. If there is no movement for 20 seconds an alarm sounds)so that gives me some peace of mind! Especially when she is on her belly.
ReplyDeleteAre your babes smiling and cooing yet?
They sleep on their backs in their cribs which is going well since they are sleeping about 11 hours now :-) YAY!! But, I do let them nap on the floor on their stomachs as long as someone is watching them.
ReplyDeleteI had my baby boy sleep on his back because I was worried about the tummy sleeping scare-stories. He got a flat spot on the back of his head and it's still there and he is seven years old. Thankfully, it's not bad but I can see it (since I'm the mom I guess!). However, some babies do get really misshapen heads (!) so tummy sleeping (during the day while you're around) is a good thing and I wish I had done that. At nightime I would say side sleeping with a pillow in front and back to keep baby from rolling forward.
ReplyDeleteThought I'd share my experience. Also FYI - Boy babies are most at risk for a flat spot because they're lazier and don't move around as much.
Jan.
I had my baby boy sleep on his back because I was worried about the tummy sleeping scare-stories. He got a flat spot on the back of his head and it's still there and he is seven years old. Thankfully, it's not bad but I can see it (since I'm the mom I guess!). However, some babies do get really misshapen heads (!) so tummy sleeping (during the day while you're around) is a good thing and I wish I had done that. At nightime I would say side sleeping with a pillow in front and back to keep baby from rolling forward.
ReplyDeleteThought I'd share my experience. Also FYI - Boy babies are most at risk for a flat spot because they're lazier and don't move around as much.
Jan.
TOTALLY guilty as charged :) Sounds like K and Minx would be great mates... little miss fussy sleeps sooooo much better on her tummy. Her daddy doesn't put her down like that, just me - and always with the Angelcare going. I rationalise my actions with the fact the monitor is going... and... that's how OUR generation were put to bed. Go figure. We made it thru okay :)
ReplyDeleteMy girls went through a phase when they napped a lot on their tummies. There was also one night when Addison REFUSED to go to sleep, and I rolled her over to her tummy...she immediately closed her eyes. (I rolled her to her back when she was good and asleep!) Now, Addison can roll and she goes all the way over on her side and smooshes her face against the crib bars. That child... ; ) Mackenzie is still content on her back.
ReplyDeleteOh, and how sweet are those little legs in your picture?!
I have really struggled about posting this but I would never forgive myself if something happened and you had to live with what I do.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson passed away at age 10 wks. I had laid him on his side and he rolled over onto his tummy. Jayden was also laying on top of a blanket. Between the two he suffocated and died.
I don't say this to scare you. All of my children slept on their tummies at one time or another when they were infants. My other two grandchildren also slept on their tummies. This time...well this time there were horrific consequences and I didn't actually place him on his tummy.
So I "broke the rules" too with my own. I totally agree that babies seem to sleep better on their tummies. But until they can roll from tummy to back with ease, until you know for sure they will turn their heads to the side...EVERY time...don't take that chance.
I also laid my babies on blankets. Lay them on the couch, put a blanket under them. Let them lay on the floor, put a blanket under them. Spit up in bed, too tired to change sheet, spread a receiving blanket under them. Never thought twice about it. According to the coroner the blanket under him was a contributing factor in his death.
Of course you're free to do what works for you. I'm just sharing my experience. If I could go back in time he'd never tummy sleep or be placed on his side. Ever. Not only did I lose my grandson because of this but it has splintered our family apart.
Scary stuff. Can't believe every decade has a different rule on tummy or back sleeping...
ReplyDeleteBut what I think is more surprising is that
most of the 'water-proof' sheets one gets from Baby City are totally NOT breathable. Try it. I put the sheet/pillow case against my mouth and cannot breath through it. why then do we spend money on special breathable pillows/wedges and mattresses when the stuff we put on them is like a plastic bag.
The "rules" are only suggestions, and the experts change "the rules" every ten years or so. All of my 8 babies slept so much better on their tummies, and I would be a fool not to take advantage of that! As you said in one of your posts - enjoy the sleep whenever you can!
ReplyDeletePoppy's story breaks my heart. I'm so sorry that she must live with that. I never used a blanket under my babies and tried to always keep the crib clear of toys and other obstacles. I even avoided what we call crib bumpers - a roll of padding that goes along the crib rails to keep babies from bumping their heads.
After reading through several of your posts about adjusting to life with two babies, I just want to add: Due to sleep deprivation and twin craziness, I have absolutely no memories of the entire first year. The whole thing went by in a blur, and I thank God we took a lot of pictures, because there's just a blank spot in my mind where that year should be. So in spite of all the chaos, try to fix some of it in your mind.
Hang in there. We had six single babies before having twins, and I have to say that two babies are MORE than twice as adorable. In a way, you are lucky you started out with two, because you don't have the preconceived notions about how things are "supposed" to be, and you can just make it up as you go.
Your twins are so young; all too soon they will start noticing each other, and interacting, and your heart will melt every time. Our twins are almost three now, and they are a marvel together and individually. My Noelle will hear her twin sister crying, and she'll say, "Oh no! My Natalie crying! I have to help her!" and rush to her aid. They are more than just individuals. They are also a unit, and it's a beautiful thing that I feel privileged to be part of.
God bless your beautiful family!
Michele, thanks so much for commenting. Wow – 8 kids – I am amazed!
ReplyDeletePoppy’s story breaks my heart too...
Thanks for the advice – that’s precisely why I’m blogging but also I bought some journals for them on the weekend (better than the baby books in my opinion) so I can jot down some quick notes so it doesn’t all just pass in a blur.
All of mine have been tummy sleepers and slept with us. I've also let them sleep in their swings from a few days old. LaRue's favorite place to sleep though is snuggled up on my chest, so she's in the sling a lot. I do a LOT of stuff that's unconventional. Joel's never seen a doctor or had shots - LaRue won't have shots either. My house isn't baby proofed. And they eat and sleep in their own rythm. No babyfood or solids until they ask for it from the table and then we pretty much just do table foods.
ReplyDeleteYou find your own parenting norm and just fall into your own style and rythm. I've been somewhat amused by "experts" who have only 1 or 2 children, or never raised a child. I look for people who have raised more than 4 kids and had the fun of many different personalities.
One grandma I enjoyed getting advice from told me, I raised 5 kids, when I had my second baby, she was a complete opposite from her older brother. Then as the other 3 came along, I was surprised to discover that they were all complete opposites.
Your babies are looking very healthy. They are so adorable.