side sleeping

Doing a bit of research I found this statement: "The American Academy of Paediatrics no longer recognizes side sleeping as a reasonable alternative to fully supine (lying on back) sleeping. Studies have found that the side sleep position is unstable and increases the chances of the infant rolling onto his or her stomach. Every caregiver should use the back sleep position during every sleep period."

However I have always slept Corban on his side because he was very spilly and I was scared he would choke. He has a safety wedge and we also have an angelcare movement monitor. I think as long as you educate yourself and are aware of the risks (of which you have minimised by using a safety sleep and wedge) and make an informed decision it is entirely up to you

Edited by Mrs_B

I side slept DS from the start as he only seemed to settle on his side initially. I used a safety wedge and also had a movement monitor. I plan on doing the same with this one too.

DS was a spilly baby also and it made me feel safer with him being on his side so spills could dribble out.

If you are comfortable and happy with side sleeping your child and they are happy then go with it.

I do the big no no and sleep DD on her tummy, She sleeps better which she proved to me last night and did 7hrs as opposed to the maybe 3hrs that she was doing. We have an angel care monitor that I picked up yesterday until then I would only do day sleeps like that. The night before we did a side sleep and she slept for 5 1/2hrs so that was even better then normal I made sure I swaddled her so her arms were wrapped but up and had a blanket rolled up behind her and tucked her in tightly so she didn't really have much chance to move lol

Do whats best for your child and you! The main reason we didnt tummy sleep earlier is because we had no monitor and she showed us that she has the potential to face plant with her hands down by herside. She was putting her hands under face that didn't bother me but then we saw that ahhhh maybe not lol

We wrap & side sleep with a wedge, last time I used a towel with Alia until she decided she was a tummy sleeper.

I tend to put him not completely on his side but slightly angled back. Again a spilly baby & didnt' want him to choke

My DD slept on her side and slept so much better because of it. We used a wedge and I will do the same next time.

I wish I had done the side sleep. When my Mum would come over she would help put them to bed and always on their sides which I was told was a big no no yet on their backs they ended up with the worst flat spots. Any future kids I will side sleep and alternate sides to prevent flat spots. I really don't see the harm I know plenty of people that have newborns that will only sleep on their tummys. I take everything Plunket say with a grain of salt now. I think they talk out their rears half the time lol

I think the majority of medical research suggests back sleeping only with changing position of their head. However, having said that we side slept from a few days old as he would settle like that. I was very anxious about it but was reassured by my midwife that it was OK for me to do that. Most professionals would only recommend sleeping on their back as that is the guidelines (SIDS I think) but I guess, as parents we make an informed choice as to what is best for our children.

Just make yourself aware of the risks and also benefits for your child.

I'm keen on side sleeping my little one when she pops hopefully over the next week or so, so am stoked to see this thread! Sharleen Poole, the baby whisperer, recommends side sleeping as you can pat their back and/or bottom for wind, and wind is trapped more so if they're lying on their backs so they're really uncomfortable.

I worry about her floppy little newborn head though, on their sides wouldn't it drop and ache? Also, do you sleep them on the same side or alternate?

I alternate with each sleep also. I leave the wedge in her mosses basket when I get her then can remember which side she was on (as one side is smaller than the other) then switch it around when she goes back in.
She never settled well on her back or wrapped so from about 3 weeks has been on her side in the Safer Sleeper wedge ($21 from Baby Factory I think) and has had her little arms free.

Lydia slept on her side too - she was wrapped, and I put a peg on the bassinet 'tent' thing to remind me which was she faced. She barely slept on her back until she went into her cot (about 9 weeks). The few times we tried, she preferred facing one way, so side sleeping was best to avoid flat head. It's nice hearing the Plunket nurse saying what a beautifully shaped head your baby has!