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Natalie Morales on Tummy Sleeping

Natalie's newborn sleeps on his stomach. But oddly enough, it gives them both peace of mind.

I confess: I let my newborn sleep on his stomach. I know, I know, being a journalist, I've read all the research that says to put babies on their back to sleep. But Luke was very colicky, and it turned out he had really bad GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), so his digestive system was just really immature. We'd have to give him Mylicon drops and he was still constantly spitting up. It made me nervous when he'd fall asleep.

It seemed like when he was more upright and inclined, he was more comfortable. For instance, he slept beautifully in his car seat. But whenever he slept on his back, he'd grunt like he was in pain.

While I was breastfeeding, we co-slept or he was in a bassinet near the bed, so I could keep a close eye on him and I didn't worry as much. But later, when we put him in his own room and he was farther away, I was more concerned. So since he really seemed happier when he was on his tummy, that's how I let him sleep. And guess what? We both can sleep better at night because of it. Is that such a bad thing?

Besides being a mom, Natalie Morales is best known as a national correspondent and co-anchor for the Today show.

What else is on Natalie Morales's Mind?
  • My Son is Just Like Me
  • Breastfeeding
  • Rotavirus
  • Eco-Me Cleaning Products
  • BPA-Free Born Free Bottles


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    KMac
    KMac
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    2/1/2009 - 5:03PM
    Report Abuse     		Yay for her! So many parents have been scared into thinking this is not ok! My daughter also had GERD and was on medicine for that as well as being a colicky baby. The only way she was ever comfortable was on her stomach. So, I said my prayers and kept a close eye on her, and went for it. You would never know this was the same colicky baby today! She is 14 months old and has slept through the night ever since we let her tummy sleep at 11 weeks. I am so glad that I gave in and put all of the "research and statistics" in the back of my mind! I am so glad that someone in the media came out and said that she is doing this and she is ok with it, rather than scaring people into thinking back sleeping is the only way. Thanks Natalie!
    DWLUVSDW
    DWLUVSDW
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    2/1/2009 - 2:30PM
    Report Abuse     		Elevation is a much better and safer way to control colic and gerd. They even sell the pillows that are safe to use under the mattress. So what does something like this achieve? Oh a celeb does it so it MUST be right! Its ridiculous.
    5enoughalready
    5enoughalready
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    1/29/2009 - 8:42AM
    Report Abuse     		My kids all slept on their tummies as infants. No one from the "Back to Sleep Police" ever took me in for fingerprinting or a mugshot.
    1CTMomof2
    1CTMomof2
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    1/28/2009 - 12:43AM
    Report Abuse     		After reading the research and speaking to some Medical Examiners, I'm of the opinion SIDS has more to do with the child and tragic, unexpected and unexplained accidents than it does with sleeping positions. My daughter refused to sleep on her back. So it was tummy for her. My son won't sleep on his tummy so no worries there. Sometimes ya just have to put the books down and let the children do what they do. I think she's rather brave speaking out with a very controversial and unpopular opinion on the topic.
    mcarden3
    mcarden3
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    1/27/2009 - 9:32AM
    Report Abuse     		My kids co-slept with me, and I noticed that even though I put them on their backs to sleep, they always ended up on their sides, curled into little balls. Matter of fact, they still do. I think that since it has been proven to reduce SIDs, babies should be put down on their backs, even if you're like me and wake up every 15 min. to make sure they're still breathing (I still do that to my 3-yr-old!)
    sparksclan
    sparksclan
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    1/27/2009 - 8:10AM
    Report Abuse     		I've never had a problem with my children sleeping so I never HAD to put them in one position or another. But during naps and such, I'd put them on their tummy since I was up and able to check on them. (and they really liked sleeping on their tummy) But at night time, they slept on their backs.
    ohboys
    ohboys
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    1/27/2009 - 7:50AM
    Report Abuse     		the sleeping on the back thing is not about comfort, but as a way to prevent sids...since they started the 'back to sleep' thing, sids has dropped by 50 percent! It was hard, but i did it w/my kids til they were around 6 months...they got used to it and slept fine.
    Erin
    Erin
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    1/27/2009 - 7:31AM
    Report Abuse     		I don't know... I was So terrified of SIDS that I never let my babies sleep on their tummies. Of course, as soon as they learned to roll over, they became tummy sleepers. It's so much more comfy for them!
    pregnantmomof3
    pregnantmomof3
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    1/26/2009 - 2:19PM
    Report Abuse     		Yeah my 2nd and 3rd were tummy sleepers. They would sleep for about 20 minutes and the slightest noise they would jump and wake up! My nephew had GERD also but she didn't let him sleep on his tummy and one night she did and he slept through the night ever since. My friend called and said she tried to let her baby sleep on his tummy during nap time b/c he just kept waking up and now he doesn't. I mean you do what works.
    MiriMars
    MiriMars
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    1/26/2009 - 10:40AM
    Report Abuse     		The only way my youngest son would sleep when he was an infant was on his tummy. You have to do what works for you and your kids!


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