Bringing Up Bella Eveline

Apparently the sleeping rules have changed since I was a baby.  My mom told me I was a belly sleeper and so was Keith.  Way back then, they thought babies would choke on their vomit if they slept on their backs.  I guess doctors weren’t aware that we DID have the ability to turn our heads if we needed throw up.  Doesn’t take a rocket scientist.  

Back, Schmack!

But, nowadays, we are unanimously coached that children must be placed on their backs when going to sleep.  It seems that they have decided that babies can’t breathe on their stomachs and since they don’t have much head/neck control, they risk suffocating on their sheets.  Again, assuming no ability to turn their heads sideways.  YIKES.  We were also told to put Bella to bed with absolutely NOTHING in the crib, except the fitted sheet.  So it’s a balancing act to find the right pajamas each night.  Wouldn’t want her to be cold – if she’s anything like Mommy, she will be a big comforter snuggler.  And definitely don’t want her getting too warm – another cause of SIDS.  You can’t have bumpers in the crib.  Apparently babies smother in them, too.  Better to bang their face off the crib bars with no padding ?  Guess so.  And God forbid you put a pacifier or toy in the crib to soothe your baby to sleep.  That would probably equal choke AND smother.  Why exactly do they sell baby blankets if you are not allowed to use them??  I have SO MANY cute ones!  The medical community and the retail community really need to get in synch!

Since Bella has been in her big girl crib, she has been a side sleeper.  I put her on her back, I tell her to stay there, but she doesn’t listen.  EVER.  She rolls immediately to her left side, puts her hands together in front of her face and curls up sideways.  If I try to roll her onto her back, it’s like wrestling a snake.  Fruitless.  So, we learned to live with it.  We  watch the video monitor (yes, of course we have the one with night vision) to make sure she is ok.  She actually does donuts throughout the night.  Many times we wake up during the night and find her facing the opposite direction or even sideways.  What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was this week when Keith handed me the monitor and said “LOOK”.  Our little rule breaker was on her BELLY!  I give up.  She sleeps how she is most comfortable.  She is happy and healthy.  We put nothing “smother-y” in the crib.  We put her on her back every night.  I can’t help it if she simply wants to do things her way.  I encourage her creativity!  And she obviously takes after her mommy.  At least there’s SOMETHING she got from ME!