Roy Benaroch, MD
Q My daughter is six weeks and two days old and will not sleep on her back. I have been putting her on her stomach to sleep and notice that it is the only way she will sleep. What do you suggest I do? I know babies shouldn't sleep on their stomach but that is the only way my daughter will sleep. My son, who is now 3 years old, was the same way.
A Putting babies down to sleep on their backs is a very effective way to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Unless there are very specific medical reasons not to, all babies should always be put down to sleep on their backs.
However, you've got a different problem now. At six weeks of age, your baby will have hard time learning to sleep well on her back. Back sleeping should be started as soon as baby is born. Babies who are placed with a good swaddle on their backs as newborns will sleep just as well as babies on their tummies, but you do have to start this habit early.
It is also especially dangerous for babies who usually sleep on their backs to occasionally sleep on their tummies. Babies should always, for naps and night-sleep, be put down on their backs. Note that this doesn't mean they have to stay on their backs - once baby can roll to her tummy, leave her there. Don't use any devices or wedges to force a baby to stay on her back.
There are other important ways to prevent SIDS. Do not smoke cigarettes during or after the pregnancy, and do not allow anyone near the baby to smoke. Don't overbundle, and don't keep the room especially warm. There is good evidence that the safest place for a baby to sleep is in the parents' room, but in a separate crib or bassinet - not in the parents' bed. It is especially dangerous for parents who are overweight or who are taking sedating medications or alcohol to bed-share. Bedding should not be overly soft. You should not rely on devices or alarms to help protect your baby, as there is no evidence that any of these work.
I understand that you are in a difficult situation, as your baby has learned to sleep better on her tummy. The safest thing to do is swadle her, put her down on her back, and give her a chance to learn to sleep that way. There will be crying. If you don't think you can put up with the crying and fussing, you will be taking some extra risk by continuing to tummy sleep.
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