Are there every any exceptions to allowing your baby to sleep on their stomachs prior to 5-6 months of age? I know the standard rule is "if they can roll over on their own they can sleep on their stomachs". The reason I ask is b/c my 7 week old will only sleep on her tummy at night. She wakes up every 10-20 minutes when DH and I place her on her back. I know there is a HUGE risk of SIDS, but stomach sleeping isn't the only factor. I slept on my stomach as an infant as did my siblings and many others. What are your opinions on this topic?

This is always a tough question -- i know one of the reasons the back is recommended is exactly what you are experiencing -- the babies sleep less soundly and so are less likely to smother....

i think i would ask your pediatrician in addition to hearing what everyone here has to say!

I'm having the same issue with Jack. On his stomach he sleeps 3-4 hours, but on his back he wakes every 5-10 mins. He has reflux, so when he's on his back, he chokes. We finally just decided to let him sleep on his tummy in his bassinet right next to my side of the bed. He only sleeps there for the first half of the night though because once he wakes up to eat I have him sleep on my chest.

You are right, most of us slept on our bellies when we were little. My son is 6 weeks old and he's been sleeping on his belly since he was about 1 1/2 weeks old. He sleeps in a bassinet next to our bed also. We have been lucky because Kaleb (our little one) has been able to lift his head and hold it up since he was 1 1/2 weeks old so if he needs to, he just lifts his head and moves it. I think it's fine. Just make sure you don't have things near his face that he can smother on.