Dads and Moms Help Please!

[Gravel]

We had a wool pad that they both slept on. The idea was that even if they were face down in it, it would still allow plenty of ventilation. But who knows, that was 13 yrs ago and thoughts change all the time on that crap..

[fordsoldier]

Flat matress, No pillows, and no stuffed animals. Lay your child on there back, every now and then just get up to check on the little one.

[Majk]

Well hopefully I can shed some personal experience on this.
First let me say I know your fear. Our first child died of SIDS @ 6 months old. He was our only boy. For many, many years I was so paranoid about our later kids rolling over onto their stomachs.

Five girls later they are all still here. Even our 9 month old who can't sleep unless she pulls the covers over her head. All my kids were unusual on how they went to sleep. Some didn't want to roll over, some did and some like the baby like to cover their head up.

They do offer a SIDS mat that will warn you if your child stops breathing for more than 15 seconds. It's a little more expensive at about $90.00, but it is very, very sensitive. If you vacuum it will set it off. But it will set off an alarm loud enough to wake you up if your baby stops sleeping.

You never really lose the fear that your feeling now. If you have more children that small fear will still be in the back of your mind but it gets a little easier with each one.

Here is the link for the crib monitor.

Amazon.com: BébéSounds Angelcare Movement Sensor w. Sound Monitor w. Two Parents' Units: Baby

[Bill in San Jose]

Duct tape.

Just kidding.

Ask your pediatrician, if he is not helpful, find a new one.

[gsh341]

Originally Posted by nerd

LOL - I remember this all too well. The thing is, if he is developed enough to roll over, he is OK. Just +1 on flat firm mattress, nothing in crib like blanket or pillow, and not too many stuffed animals. My son and daughter both had, well still have, a "night night" animal they have slept with from day one.

If you are having problems sleeping yourself, you may want to consider getting an angel monitor. http://www.dynamic-living.com/wireless_baby_monitor.htm.
A friend of ours swore by it - she had a really hard time leaving the baby in the other room, and this thing will sound an alarm if it doesn't detect movement / breathing for 20 seconds.

Good luck!

+1

We have the Angel Monitor and it does work.

If you feel the baby is getting cold at night and absolutely needs a blanket, I recommend a loosely knitted Afghan. The holes in the knitting of the Afghan will prevent suffocation and the baby will still be warm.

Use a firm mattress in the crib with no pillows or stuffed animals and your baby will be fine.

[Popa75]

I feel your pain, when my son was born they told us to put him on his side, 18 months later when my little girl was born they said to put her on her back. We used the breatheable sleep positioner as well, It works good until the baby gets anoyed by it and shimmys up or down. Then I decided to keep the baby moniter full blast on my night stand, I would wake up if they had one wierd breath. And yes I was very tired for the first year with both. The nerves are normal and just mean that you are going to be a good father .

[JeffXD]

There is some good info in this thread!!! This is a little off topic, but we go tomorrow for a sonogram and we find out if it has a dangly or no dangly.

[infernoxd45]

Both of my girls slept without ever flipping over (as far as I know..) but my boy does sometimes. Some people are against letting their kids have pacifiers but we aren't and, as long as they keep it in their mouth, this is one of the simplest devices you can use to help prevent SIDS. Its almost impossible with a flat mattress (as before mentioned) to lay on your face with a pacifier and not be uncomfortable enough to roll back over or keep your nose up where you can still breathe. This along with the other suggestions here should put you (somewhat... maybe..) at ease.

[BabySpice]

Now this is right up my alley. Something I know about.

Once they are able to roll over by themselves the risk of SIDS decreases dramatically!

Now he may wake you often if he rolls over and can't get back and then wakes up. But rest assured, if he can roll over on his own, he is fine!

Try and get some sleep!

Try this link for some info!

What if baby rolls over from the back to her tummy or side?

• Always place baby on the back when you put her down for sleep.
• Once baby starts rolling and chooses her own sleep position, you do not need to keep turning her over on the back.
• When baby rolls, it is even more important that there is nothing else (blankets, soft toys) in the sleep area to get near her face.

[Majk]

If you do use the angel monitor or the one I posted, a majority of the people advised to put a piece of plywood under the mattress. The plywood eliminates false alarms when they move enough to move off the monitor and other issues.

It is true that SIDS declines when they can move on their own like that, but NOT ALL. My son was close to 7 months and could roll over and he died from it. Especially if your a new parent, no precaution isn't great enough to use.

Good luck, it will get better.