3Mo Old Sleeping on Stomach

Updated on August 31, 2011
S.G. asks from East Wenatchee, WA
19 answers

My son has recently learned to roll from back to front. Now everytime I check on him in bed he is on his stomach. I flip him back to his back and he goes right back to his stomach. This makes me too nervous!! Ideas? Thoughts? Suggestions??

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies!! Ths all made me feel much better! I called his pediatrician and the nurse necer got back to me :( But he is betting stronger everyday so we are sleeping better. I know everyone said if he can get to his tummy himself he is fine...but it
is still a little worrisome!! My daughter never did this.
Thanks agaitn!!!

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R.P.

answers from Cleveland on

my daughter slept on her stomach from the time she was a week old. that was the ONLY way she would sleep so i let it be. but by 3 months old they normally have ther head under their control and able to move it and things VERY well so id let the boy sleep how he is comfortable

2 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from Seattle on

My suggestion - leave him be. If he can roll to his stomach on his own, and he sleeps well that way, don't wake him!

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J.B.

answers from Houston on

My second slept on his tummy from 2 months and I never had any sleep issues with him. He is not 19 months and will literally point at his crib when tired and go to bed, he is just a great little sleeper. When he could lift his head up and turn it from side to side I started letting him sleep on his tummy, he loved it. If yours can already turn himself, I wouldn't worry over it at all, he is obviously moving into the position that is comfortable for him :) I used to flip mine when he was good and asleep as well, but at 3 months he started turning on his own and so I didn't flip him anymore. I think you are good to go :)

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J.F.

answers from Omaha on

Check with your pedi, just in case. Ours was of the opinion that once the infant could roll from one side to the other, the risk of suffocation was reduced.

I would continue to put him to bed on his back and if he rolls, there's not much you can do.

Sleep positioners are more dangerous than letting him sleep on his tummy. Just continue to make sure it's just baby in the crib (no pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, bumpers, etc) to lower his risk of SIDS.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

ask yourself this - does he have good head control? if yes leave him. also if he puts himself back on his stomach when you turn him - leave him. my daughter rarely ever slept on her back.

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A.H.

answers from Washington DC on

My daughter was the same way, I eventually gave up and let her sleep on the tummy. She was sleeping and we were sleeping as well.....btw when I had my baby it was recommended to let babies sleep on the side....yeah right not my kid LOL. Best to let him sleep on the tummy.

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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

There are many who say babies should only sleep on their backs. Or you hear that stomach sleeping is bad. Really its not. If your son feels and sleeps better on his tummy then let him. Just make sure that there's are no extra blankets, or any loose covers around his face and he will be fine. You are lucky he sleeps at all! Lol. Don't worry and he will be fine.

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Just check in with the pedi, but if he can roll over, they will probably say it is fine..

Our daughter lifted and turned her head the moment they placed her on my stomach right after delivery.. She was able to lift it and turn it so early, the pedi ok'd her to be on her tummy.. after a few weeks. She just slept so much better.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

If the baby can roll to his stomach, it's safe to leave him there. Relax and let him sleep. :) Maybe you can get some sleep now, too!

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J.V.

answers from Las Vegas on

I agree with checking with your pedi. Though if he has control of his head and he seems happy sleeping like that then let him be. Take everything out of his crib and be sure he doesn't go to bed with anything that will cover his head or even get caught on anything.

A.F.

answers from Chicago on

If baby can flip back to stomach, baby can also flip stomach to back and hold his head up. Make sure nothing else but baby is in the crib and if bumpers, only breathable mesh ones. Let him sleep- that was my peds approach as my daughter did this too! I did not flip her over or wake her up but always put get back in crib for naps, night or after feedings on her back and she would flip.

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K.B.

answers from Chicago on

we all slept on our stomachs and survived.

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K.G.

answers from Portland on

For piece of mind you might consider buying a motion-sensing baby monitor. They aren't cheap ($150-ish, maybe a bit less), but if it lets you sleep better, I think it's worth it. We have one and our first daughter was a belly sleeper. Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor is what we have. You can find it at Babies R Us or Amazon.com.
K.

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L.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Now that he can roll to tummy, don't worry about flipping him back over. He has enough head control to move if he is in an unstable breathing position. Just make sure you don't have anything in his crib---I mean nothing--so he can't get trapped under anything. GL

M

E.A.

answers from El Paso on

I had asked this same question when my daughter was younger I got great advice and I'm sure you have too
I'm not sure what everyone else has said but when they can flip over on their own and have good head control it's less risk just make sure no stuffed animals or fluffy pillows or blankets are in there if it's cold dress baby in snug clothes
My daughter loved sleeping on her tummy I guess it made her feel comfy and I think relieved colic a bit Shes 18 months now nd falls asleep every night on her tummy
If you are still a bit unsure talk with her pedi he will be sure to reassure and make you feel more at ease worked for me!
You must be a first time mom like me (cuz everything our babies due causes lots of happiness or worryness)
Good luck

A.H.

answers from Tulsa on

My son was (and still is) a tummy sleeper. If he's rolling there on his own, go ahead and let him sleep. He feels more comfortable that way and will get a good night's sleep.

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D.J.

answers from Atlanta on

He will be fine..both of my kids slept on their tummies. They sleep better that way

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K.H.

answers from Seattle on

I've always head that once they can roll over it is fine.

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L.R.

answers from Portland on

One of the main reasons babies are supposed to sleep on their backs is that it's possible to smother while lying face-down. Additionally, it's easier to get stale air trapped in bunched-up blankets and pillows while lying on your belly.

Let him sleep on his belly if he's getting there himself, but keep pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, etc. out of his crib, and keep a small fan blowing in the room (not directly on him) to circulate air. This can keep stale, oxygen-poor pockets from forming.

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