side sleeping
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=28927
Printed Date: 01 September 2025 at 11:10am
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Topic: side sleeping
Posted By: Bexee
Subject: side sleeping
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 1:10pm
| My six week old is much happier on his side - and I thought we were doing the right thing by side sleeping him with a safety wedge and a safetysleep... but at an antenatal get-together yesterday the leader said it was still really bad and dangerous. I don't want to put him in danger, but he seems much more settled on his side. Is it really that much more dangerous? |
Replies:
Posted By: Mrs_B
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 1:39pm
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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  -------------  
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Posted By: FionaS
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 1:48pm
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I guess it is up to the individual to decide. We use a side sleeper. In my opinion, alternating a baby's position for sleeps is a good idea as being in any one position for too long isn't great for the spine etc. I use a wedge and don't really see how Ashley could roll. When on her tummy during play time she can easily lift her head from one side to the other and she does so easily on the odd time she sleeps on her tummy on me when out or something.
------------- Mummy to Gabrielle and Ashley |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 1:50pm
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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. -------------  
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Posted By: lilfatty
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 2:30pm
Yep Elias side sleeps, he wont sleep any other way, so its a no brainer option to me  ------------- Mummy to Issy (3) and Elias (18 months) I did it .. 41 kgs gone! From flab to fab in under a year  http://www.femininefitness.co.nz/category/blog - LFs weight blog
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Posted By: HoneybunsMa
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 2:33pm
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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 ------------- http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"> 
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Posted By: Mamma2N
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 2:35pm
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DD sometimes side-sleeps. We don't use a sleep wedge - I'd do whatever suits baby
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Posted By: AandCsmum
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 2:56pm
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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 ------------- Kel http://lilypie.com"> 
A = 01.02.04 & C = 16.01.09 & G = 30.03.12 |
Posted By: Shezamumof3
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 5:59pm
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We side sleep and she is in a wedge so she cant roll. I would rather sleep her on her side as she is very spilly and if she is on her back and spills she chokes and gags. ------------- |
Posted By: BeLoved
Date Posted: 23 September 2009 at 7:40pm
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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. ------------- http://alterna-tickers.com"> 
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Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 11:13am
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At night Morgan is in her cot in a wedge on her side too, usually slightly angled towards her back tho. But day sleeps are still in the hammock on her back. She settled much better as a newborn on her side so I even had her slightly on her side in hospital and no one told me off (wasn't using a wedge, just wrapped and tucked in very tightly, but I was right next to her in hosp). She could hold her head up from day 1, so I knew she could move it if necessary. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: lisa85
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 11:30am
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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 -------------  
TTC #3 since Jan 2010 - PCOS MC April 2010 |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 11:41am
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Wow, I have side slept DD since the day she was born..never used a wedge though..
I did swaddle her too. She only ever rolled onto her face once but that was my fault as I had put her down with her arm tucked slightly behind her! =S Without a wrap you bring the bottom arm forward and put them on their side, or for wrapped sleepers you place bubs on the flat of their shoulder blade so that way they can't roll onto their face. They can however roll onto their back if they start wriggling. Basically with my bubs it was more of back sleeping but on the side of her legs. Hope that helps!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Caro07
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 11:58am
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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. ------------- Caroline, SAHM to 2 boys, S (4 years old) and J (2 years old) 
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 12:04pm
| We side sleep here too - it was a much better option than back sleeping for Ava. We don't have a wedge - she has a toy behind her so she can't roll back and her arms are in position in the wrap so she can't move forward (plus I tuck blankets under her so she lies in a bit of a dip). Jack had the worst flat spot ever because he always preferred one side of his head to lie on - this way Ava has no choice. |
Posted By: GingerBaby
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 2:46pm
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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? -------------  |
Posted By: Peanut
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 2:57pm
I alternate with each sleep. It does get tricky remembering which side you put them down on at times though It means you avoid them getting a flat spot as they can also get one on the aide if you don't alternate sides.
I highly recommend a sleep wedge if you don't already have one. They are only about $20 and baby sleeps in them so can't roll onto tummy or back. -------------
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Posted By: fattykat
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 4:25pm
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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. |
Posted By: Madiandmini
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 4:31pm
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Left during the day, and to the right at night. =)
Tacky I know but it helped me!! My DD never seemed bothered by her head when on her side, in fact she settle much better on her side! At 9months she still prefers her side! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: SquishysMum
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 4:59pm
| 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! |
Posted By: Nikki
Date Posted: 24 September 2009 at 8:59pm
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I alternate about every 3 nights (just leave the wedge in the cot then change every few days) and during the day she is in the hammock so on her back. No flat spots yet. ------------- DS (5yrs) and DD (3yrs) |
Posted By: Flutterby
Date Posted: 25 September 2009 at 10:15am
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Cody has always slept on his side. He has never rolled onto his tummy in his sleep, always onto his back, though that may change once he figures out how to roll back to tummy . He seems to sleep better on his side. We don't use a wedge or safe t sleep at all. Just tuck the blankets in tight and no higher then shoulder height. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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