sleeping on tummy, not on back

[linzkg]

My litle one is 8 weeks now and I've found that he's a better sleeper on his tummy .. in fact if I put him down at 10pm/11pm he doesn't wake until about 7am the following morning .. this morning I actually woke him myself!

Am I a bad mother? hehe ;-)

A) sleeping on tummies is frowned apon

B) He's only just 8 weeks - surely he should be feeding through the night .. but instead I'm getting a full night sleep!

Do I continue putting him on his tummy and just count my blessings that he's a good night sleeper?

And ps, it works for me so maybe there are other mothers out there that may want to try their little ones on their tummies for a better sleep too!! A friend through NCT has also given up on her little one sleeping on her back as she doesn't settle so we're both finding this works for us.

[Gubodge]

It is recognised that babies do often sleep better on their fronts (Which is why this was the recomended way of putting them to bed for years), but you should be aware that this is thought to be one of the contributing factors to why there is a lower risk of SIDs amongst babies put to sleep on their backs. The very fact that the baby sleeps more deeply on his/her front means they are less likely to wake if there is an irregularity in their breathing.

The 'back to sleep' campaign was one of the most successful public health initiatives ever to take place in the uk, and has shown similar beneficial results in the other countries that have adopted it. I'm not sure I'd take the risk for the sake of a few more hours uninterrupted sleep.

As for the feeding though, don't worry, as long as he's making up for it during the day and there are plenty of wet nappies, then he'll be doing fine.

[annaj]

I'm a doctor and not a parent, so possible viewed as the enemy round here, but I agree with Gubodge.

Sleeping young babies on their front is not so much "frowned upon" but known to be a risk factor for SIDS. Obviously, that doesn't mean that every baby sleeping on their front is at risk, or that every case of SIDS is in a baby who slept on their front, but it has been shown (along with having a smoker in the house) to one of the major risk factors.

Just to be clear, I'm not trying to be alarmist and I'm not criticising, judging or dictacting what anyone does with their own child. Everyone makes their own choices and every parent and every baby is different, but it's worth being informed of the risks. Have a look at the FSID website for more information.

[linzkg]

no, thank you very much for your honest opinions! you hear so much going backward and forward .. but you've both put your argument very well .. much appreciated! its sad when your main support are parents, and mothers in particular, yet the views tend to be so different - as parents keep saying to me "how times have changed".

i will continue to try and settle him on his back - thanks again