Back to sleep

Okay - first off my kids did sleep (terribly) on their backs, always. I bought into it. Now though, I am wondering - is there really data that backs up the "back to sleep" pressure parents are put under?

The Back to Sleep Campaign start in 1994. NO question SIDS rates dropped following that. Did you know though that SIDS rates were already dropping? From 1990-1994 they were average 5.6% drop per year. So there was a 20% in the 4 yrs PRIOR to starting the campaign. So they say that it reduces SIDS by 50% based on a 50% reduction since they introduced it.

One of the largest risk factors for SIDS is prenatal smoking. Breastfeeding reduces the risk of SIDS as much as back to sleep if you nurse at all (50%) and 70% if you nurse exclusively.

So what gives? Why do we pressure so hard on this one?

I know some say because it is "easy" as in everyone can do it - but honestly, I regret putting my 1st on his tummy. He woke every 45-90 mins that way. Some times when I was awake I'd try putting him on his tummy & watching him, because everyone kept saying if I could get him to "nap better" he'd sleep longer at night - so I'd stare as a paranoid new mom waiting for him to stop breathing while I was recklessly letting him belly sleep & you know what happened? He'd actually sleep - soundly - & for like 3 hrs. Laying on teh belly turns off the srtles reflex. I get it - that may be an issue for some babies - but my baby did nothing but startle. all.the.time.

So what do YOU think about back to sleep?

I try to put ds on his side because he spits up a lot & i worry that hes going to choke when hes on his back. He doesnt like to be on his stomach unless hes laying on me

Honestly I put my kid down however she'd sleep. It happened to be her back, but I wasn't above attempting her tummy if she wouldn't settle down.

She coslept with me though so I felt safe doing it.

Quoting Viv, Ev & Gwen ♥:" Honestly I put my kid down however she'd sleep. It happened to be her back, but I wasn't above attempting her tummy if she wouldn't settle down. She coslept with me though so I felt safe doing it."

We ended up bedsharing eventually too, because it just was NOT working. I guess when I decided to rebel, I went full force. LOL Actually my Dr didn't seem bothered by that too mcuh - despite all the "back to sleep "stuff.

I put my youngest on her back. Oh and this co sleep crap. I tried it a few weeks ago cause I just wanted to sleep! LOL..my 14 month old always would crawl in my bed at night then I would put her back in hers. Well I decided " hey why not, her dad is at work and I need some sleep" Screw that!! She beat the crap out of me..hit and kick..Ya I put her back in her bed LOL

Quoting mamaluvsher4babies:" I put my youngest on her back. Oh and this co sleep crap. I tried it a few weeks ago cause I just wanted ... [snip!] ... dad is at work and I need some sleep" Screw that!! She beat the crap out of me..hit and kick..Ya I put her back in her bed LOL"

LOL - well it works better with some toddlers than others for sure. I used to call my 1st my "toes up the nose boy" because he had a real knack when he was around 2 for getting a foot on my face. :/

Honestly my kids both slept well on their backs, but i swaddled and that helps. I was not forced to pick between sleep and the "safety" of the infant. I honestly don't buy the whole sleep position being the answer to SIDS. there are plenty of people who always followed the "rules" and still had a SIDS death and there are people that always had their babies sleep on their tummies and nothing happens. there has to be another component.

he slept best on his stomach so thats how I put him to sleep.

I let my child sleep on her belly. She slept better that way. I do not believe babies die because of sleeping on their stomach.

I put my baby on his belly to sleep. He wasn't able to sleep at all on his back.

I think the idea is.... babies that sleep on their bellies fall into a very deep sleep, and "forget" to breath.

Who knows.

DS has slept on his side from birth. He refused to be put on his back and now that I try to put him on his belly he rolls over. He's a terrible sleeper.