Whats your thoughts......

[keelie_b]

My OH has discovered that Dylan sleeps very well on his tummy but knows i stress so has done some research and come to me saying how low the risks are and how nothings proven that tum sleeping increases the risks of cot death.
I just dont think i could allow my baby to sleep through the night on his tummy, what the hell do i do if god forbid something happened? it would be my fault if i put him down that way so i've said no we wont do it.
He's got really sulky and just mentioned getting a breathing monitor.
So will this reduce the risk then?
Am i right in thinking that if Dylan were to stop breathing, an alarm would sound? But even if i got to him within a second, if hes already stopped breathing would i be too late anyway? neither of us are first aid trained or anything.
So what do you think a sleeping monitor would be a worthwhile investment and then it would be ok for him to sleep on his front or woulld you just say no and always keep LO on back?
(i'l just add, i know all the other precautions and neither me or OH smokes, drinks ect ect)

Thanks xx

 

[LisaJ1986]

It is just a precaution. The breathing monitor sounds after 20 seconds so it's not too late. It was a godsend for my younger sister who's little boy sometimes 'forgot' to breathe while asleep. But that was more to do with him being 12 weeks prem. It only went off twice in a year and it was good for when i babysat.
Does he have a dummy at all? Coz this might help if he sleeps on his tummy. They can also lower the risk of cot death.

Angel always slept on her side coz it helped her sleep better.

 

[CoreysMummy]

Get a breathing monitor and let LO sleep how they want..! Or dont. Its entirely up to you. A few friends of mine have put all theirs down to sleep on their fronts, no monitor etc... no problem.

I never put Corey on his front, so dont know if he liked it or not, I dont know what id of dont had he of liked it. But then we have him on a breathing monitor anyways so.

Go with your instincts. You know your baby best.

 

[keelie_b]

thank you ,im really interested in as many opinions on this one as i can possibly get. Thanks both for replying.

What does a breathing monitor actually do then, when the alarm goes after 20 seconds is that to alert me or to wake the baby up?

It was a godsend for my younger sister who's little boy sometimes 'forgot' to breathe while asleep. But that was more to do with him being 12 weeks prem

so what happened did the sound just remind him to start breathing again or did your sister have to do something. obviously it was a worthwhile investment then. Dylan was not premature or anything but it would be nice to let him sleep on his tum and have peace of mind that he should be ok

 

[Sherlock]

I think some babies prefer being on their tummies as its like being cuddled up against someone. If being cuddled they are usually held close and their tummy is body facing. At least our LO was and he would turn his head to the side.

But even though he liked being cuddled this way I never put him on his tummy to sleep. I always put him on his back and sometimesm during the day on his side.

The research suggests that putting baby on their back, feet to foot is the safest postion for baby when sleeping. SIDS has dropped dramatically since this became the standard advice. I don't know what your OH has read but all of my reading indicates sleeping on back has helped reduce SIDS.

I think you have to do what feels comfortable for you. Chances are even if your LO sleeps fine on his tummy, given a bit of time to adjust he'll start sleeping well on his back also. My LO loved sleeping on his side but I would never do that overnight, only in daytime so I was awake and around to keep a close eye. Within 5 weeks he was happy on his back and didn't mind not being on his side. We never got a breathing monitor as I cannot completly trust machinery and would be awake lots anyways. I kind of trusted my own senses and because I was breastfeeding and often co sleeping I felt comfy with this choice.

If you are the one who will be seeing to him and putting him down to sleep then do what makes you feel happier and more relaxed.

 

[CoreysMummy]

I have the angel care one or somethign like that. And when it goes off BOTH the parent and the baby unit sound. So it will wake baby/jolt them into breathing again with the loud sound.

Mine has only ever gone off when Corey has wriggled clear of it. Soon as the alarm goes, it kind of wakes him, and he moved, then the alarm goes off again because it senced movement! of course, but then im standing by his cot... and hes looking at me like - what the fuck are u doing in here waking me up mum, shit its like 3am!! He rolls over and goes back to sleep lol

 

[pilkers]

Evie has always been put to sleep on her back but she never ever, ever stays like that! She likes to sleep on her tummy, usually with her bum in the air!

I also have the Angelcare monitor which for me is a godsend. It basically has a mat which sits under the mattress and the mat senses movement. If there is no movement for 15 seconds the monitor omits a warning beep on both parent and child units which is usually sufficient enough to rouse the baby into breathing/moving. If there is no further movement for 5 seconds then the monitor sounds an alarm in both the child and parent units.

I have to add that we have had a couple of false alarms with our monitor. This was due to Evie rolling into the very corners of her cot and slipping off the sensor mats radar!

Because Evie is such a wriggler and cannot sleep in one position the Angelcare monitor provides me with the reassurance I need. Some people won't use the monitors because of the occasional false alarms but personally I'd prefer to be woken by a false alarm than the alternative

Obviously everyone has their owns views on using such equipment and it's down to you as an individual parent to decide what is best for you and your child.



(must add...I'm quite neurotic and even have a video monitor too...I spend my nights just watching her toss and turn! )

 

[LisaJ1986]

thank you ,im really interested in as many opinions on this one as i can possibly get. Thanks both for replying.

What does a breathing monitor actually do then, when the alarm goes after 20 seconds is that to alert me or to wake the baby up?

It was a godsend for my younger sister who's little boy sometimes 'forgot' to breathe while asleep. But that was more to do with him being 12 weeks prem

so what happened did the sound just remind him to start breathing again or did your sister have to do something. obviously it was a worthwhile investment then. Dylan was not premature or anything but it would be nice to let him sleep on his tum and have peace of mind that he should be ok

Prem babies can do this where they get so relaxed they just forget. Generally they don't leave hospital til they grow out of it, which is usually by the time they would've been term. A gentle nudge usually does the trick. I remember when he was still in the incubator she'd just knock it a little and he'd start again.
It certainly does give peace of mind. I'd have slept better in the early days if i had one! Instead i'd be nudging her at every opportunity to make sure she's breathing. Still do.

 

[Naterjack]

Josh often prefers to sleep on his tummy and he certainly sleeps better that way
I was a little worried as they say babies should always sleep on their backs, this so went out and bought the angelcare breathing monitor - its great - it picks up the slightest movement from baby and you can adjust the sensitivity if needed. If the movement / breathing stops, its sounds a beep from both the mum and baby units to alert mum and rouse baby - if no movement still after 5 seconds, the full alarm sounds

We have only heard the alarm when Josh is picked up and we forget to switch off the unit - so its certainly given us peace of mind !