Babies on their tummy....

Question

Everyone stresses to you these days when you have a new baby that you must put the baby to sleep on his back, but how come in the NICU I've seen tiny tiny babies on their bellies?

Answer 1

all of my babies have slept on their stomach. They do that because babies are comforted more by being on their stomachs. If you watch a newborn in their sleep they will occasionally throw out their arms, and jerk . That is the falling reflex. That then stresses them out and makes them cry. When they are on their stomachs this doesn't happen. Notice that their arms are always in close, they are cuddling with them selves. And in the process they are able to self soothe easier and faster than those that are put on their stomachs. And it's easier for them to find their hands and fingers for sucking. Again learning how to self soothe. NICU nurses are around all the time and most of these babies are hooked up to monitors for breathing and such. So if something were to go wrong they would know immediately.

Answer 2

I wondered the same thing and then noticed all the monitors they are hooked up to would go off quick if anything happened and I seen alot of babies were hooked up to oxygen so it would have kept them breathing.

Answer 3

Probably because there is a paid nurse whose job is none other than to stare at that one baby constantly.  Also, they are hooked up to all kinds of vital moniters at all times.  Surely not the same could be said of the home environment.

I don't work at a hospital, so I don't know, just a guess.  My first was in nicu for 3 days, and that was the situation.

Answer 4

my guess is that reflux is more common in nicu bubs so the risks are higher for sleeping on their backs than tummies.  

Answer 5

I was told to put my baby on his side.

Answer 6

The general public is told to put babies on their backs to sleep as it has been proven to reduce the risk of SIDS.  However, in some cases there are medical reasons for which a baby needs to sleep on their stomachs.  In the NICU the babies are always monitored in case something goes wrong and then it can be dealt with quickly.  At home, it is recommended to have the baby sleep on their back unless the doctor has suggested otherwise due to a medical condition.

Answer 7

I think that it's because they have monitors on them constantly so that they can make sure they're breathing, etc. I think it goes to show that babies do indeed sleep better that way, though! ;)

Answer 8

My son I don't know how but the day he was born and was place in his little bassinet and was placed on his back some how some way he flipped on to his tummy by the time he was 6 months he was crawling and by 9 months he was walking and when he was a Year Old he was already running he is now 6 years old and still sleeps on his tummy.

I think its ok for them to sleep on their tummy just make sure that  you are watching them occasionally  

Answer 9

yes now they say that a baby should sleep on their back due to SIDS.  Sometimes i wonder whats best myself.  I mean, if they sleep on their back and they spit up or vomit, they may choke..ive seen my newborn choke and it wasnt fun.  I know that laying them on their side (right side) after they eat is good incase they vomit.  Im not sure why they would put a premie on thier tummy?  All i know is that with newborns they are now supposed to be on thier back.  When they can turn themselves and raise their heads its safe to put them on their tummy bc they can reposition themselves.  My girlfriend has a 2 month old that wont sleep unless she is on her belly.  She tries to put her baby on her back, but the baby wont stop crying unless she is on her belly.  

I use a baby monitor so that i can hear the baby at all times.  I guess you have to do what your baby likes best at the time.  If she sleeps on her back, great.  If not, then monitor her closely when on her belly.

Please let me know if you find out any information on why premies were on their belly....im curious.

Answer 10

No never put a baby on his/her belly to sleep ..Ever hurd of SIDS..

Answer 11

good question i would also like to know this!!

Answer 12

Babies in the NICU are very closely monitored.  Babies at home, while mom is sleeping, are not.

Answer 13

my son was a nicu baby and was always put on his side. when we brought him home, he would not sleep on his back. he was only content on his stomach. so, i let him sleep on his tummy and he's fine! granted, i never slept bc of the whole sids risk with him on his tummy.. but he's always slept on his tummy. every baby is different.