Our almost 6 month old has a flat head in the back known as "positional plagiocephaly". This is from having her sleep on her back all the time. It's significant enough that if it's not corrected somewhat or gets worst in the next 2 months they will do a cat scan or x-ray. The doctor wants me to start having her sleep on her stomach now. She's up there right now on her stomach and I just pray that I don't lose her. I've always said I'd rather have a flat head baby than a dead one. I hope I'm making the right decision and don't regret it. I've tried her on her side and it just doesn't seem to work - she doesn't want to sleep and ends up on her back somehow anyways. Anyways, what would you do? I'm just curious about the responses though I'll still probably have her on her stomach anyways. I know we're out of the greatest danger zone of SIDS being 2-4 months, but she did have her shots today too.

Oh honey I will be praying for your little one! My son didn't sleep at all on his back so early on we had him sleep on his tummy. I think we started that around 2 month. He has done just fine with all of this. It might be some comfort to remember that back in the day moms were told NOT to have baby sleep on their back (also because of SIDS I think) so you and I were most likely tummy sleepers. Even more, something I have to remind myself daily, that this is God's Child, and I release his life to God daily. No amount of tummy or back sleeping will take a child's life unless God wills it. Since you are not being negligent about this God will honor it and he will protect your little one.

I agree with Becky. We had ds on his stomach from about 6 weeks on:)

((hugs)) for you! I second the advice you were given above- 3 of my 4 were tummy sleepers from about 6 weeks on or so and actually my only true back sleeper was the one who had a very scary spit up episode. I believe that had I not been in the room when it happened it could have been tragic.
Also wanted you to know that my nephew and the child of my longtime friend were both diagnosed with this same thing at around 6mths. My friend's dd had to wear a special helmet for a while to treat hers while my nephew's corrected itself w/o treatment. Both parents were advised to make sure baby spent more 'tummy time' during the day as well as spending time in the upright position using a baby chair (like Bumbo), excercauser, jumper, etc. Obviously when baby begins sitting this also helps. Both were also told to limit car-seat time and avoid bouncy type seats as well.

You know, they USED to say tummy all the way....now it's back all the way...we had a side sleeper from birth on and a tummy/back sleeper, he got bored and liked to switch!
The big deal is a clear crib and blankets (those sleep sacs are great!) and if you need to prop them up to keep them from turning to protect the head, use something that does not come above the shoulder area on BOTH sides to keep clear of the sides of the crib and keep anything from obstructing the breathing....
Actually, our sleeping on his side I think saved him...had he been on his back one night...he spit up in his sleep and there was so much I think he would have choked or suffocated from that in his sleep....being on his side let it run out and keep his airway clear!!
Put the bassinet in your room for easier access to ease your nerves if you need or get one of those crib alarms that goes under the sheets and detects a breathing stop if you need for peace of mind!
Hang in there! Babies sleep ALL different ways!

I wouldn't worry about it. Chances are at least 99% that she will never have a problem, regardless of which position she sleeps in. My DD has slept on her back, side, stomach, whatever. I think that variety is great! :)

We're more rule breakers... all four of ours slept on their tummy's 100% of the time; me and my three siblings slept on OUR tummy's 100% of the time. If God wants to take a baby, it doesn't matter HOW they are sleeping. Most of the mom's I know put their babies on their tummy's too. I saw a PP say that the "rule" used to be "Tummy to sleep"... and I'm sure it will change again someday too... Doctors don't know everything, even though they like to pretend they do. Our babies have been much more content on their bellies than on their backs. My twins slept together until they were almost a year old, and we never had any issues with sleeping problems, breathing problems or the like.

mine have never done well with flat back sleeping either
they slept on their sides or tummy at nap times (otherwise they were in bed with me, primarily on their sides)
sorry, I have no advice
other than do what feels most comfortable for you and put it in His hands :)

at 6 months, can your baby roll over? Maybe try propping her on her side? We had to have ds on his side because he had mucous in his lungs that would ocassionally come up and we wanted it to dribble out the sides of his mouth instead of making him cough/choke while on his back. We had a little pillow thingy that propped him on his side, but you could roll up a towel I'm sure too...

My oldest ds had deformational plagiocephaly it's very similar to what your dd has just he got his from how he was laying in my womb. I understand weighing the fear of SIDS verses wanting to correct the head shape. We did do side laying. There are many resource on the web about how to get your child to lay on their side from sewing a foam piece on the back of your child's sleep sack or jammies to things you can put on the sheet. One source I relied upon for awhile was cappskids.org. I believe they have a forum there that you can converse with other parents who are in the same place.

A couple of things to consider as you go down this road are.
*Your doctor probably weighed the risks vs. benefits when he recommended tummy sleeping.
*The crucial time period for correcting head shape by repositioning will quickly come to a close.
*There are many opportunities for you to reposition during the day. Look on the internet or pm me and I can give you more recommendations. If you choose not to tummy sleep I would really look into these.

I know plagiocephaly can be frustrating. I will be praying for your journey.

Relax, They don't really know what causes SIDS... they just say the percentage is lesser for on their back.... it's no big deal for a kid to sleep on their tummy IMO.

Both my kids have always slept on their tummy occasionally. No harm done. :D I am not about to wake up a sleeping baby to flip them over anyway. You just don't wake sleeping babies. Not in my house LOL.

One thing I do is I have a little bed made on the floor for nathaniel so I can nurse him at night w/o taking him into bed with me sometimes (sometimes DH takes up too much room). You could always sleep *with* your kid in something like that.... You could also even have them laying on their tummy on your chest during a nap - which is VERY good for development anyway and you get lots of cuddle time. :D

My DS has been a content tummy sleeper since we got home from the hospital. The only time he sleeps on his back and side is at night in bed with me. I am also one that is scared of SIDS... so your not alone in feeling that way. During the day when he is on his tummy, I just make sure to check on him all the time and I have a monitor where I can actually hear his breathing (since he is one that sometimes likes to bury his face). Also, be sure baby is not too hot or the room is not to stuffy...that's what I've read, anyway.

Blessings.

My girls are a little older (almost 9 and almost 12) and we were told to have them sleep on their sides. We used a little flannel wedge that we bought at Walmart. It can be upsetting to some parents, but if you would rather your son sleep on his back, there is a special helmet available to help shape the head. I work with children 0-3 with special needs, and several of them have to wear positioning helmets at night because they have conditions that won't allow them to have "tummy" time or to sleep on their backs, such as a feeding tube, or a tracheostomy.
Praying for safe sleepy time for your precious baby!