positioning devices

[Guest guest]

Hi, I'm new, and I'm still learning to navigate this groups files. Just today I

found again articles AGAINST positioning devices. We are hoping to use some to

try to reduce the time we need our son in a helmet. Infact I wish we could

aggressively reposition to not need a helmet but I'm not sure it's possible. We

took some advice and have positioned him on his side in the crib with rice bags

at night BUT I keep hearing that he will sufficate or get stuck. He's 6 months

and sleeps in a woombie or a sleep sack with arms usually inside (he flails them

so much he can't sleep).

What should we do with so much conflicting advice?

[Guest guest]

We just took a small blanket, stuffed it in a sock so it wouldn't unravel, and

had it at his back to have him lean to the other side. It didn't really work

that well because he was already big for his age and strong. Using that sock

wasn't ideal though because you shouldn't have anything in the crib. We decided

to risk it though since it was pretty hard, no bigger than a Pringle's can, I

slept in the room right by him (and didn't sleep much anyway), and we had an

AngelCare Monitor under the mattress to detect if he ever stopped breathing. But

the risk of suffocation from sleep positioners is real and head shape isn't more

important than breathing. So I'd see what parents on here who have been

successful with repositioning have used, other than positioners. I do think

though that we could have done more repositioning during the day like forcing

more tummy time and not allowing him in the swing.

We used the Woombie too because we had a wiggly baby. But once he started

turning we stopped using it. The directions say to not use it or any other

swaddlers after the baby turns to also reduce risk of suffocation. With his arms

tied up, he won't be able to turn himself over or to the side again if he flips

into a bad position on his stomach.

>

> Hi, I'm new, and I'm still learning to navigate this groups files. Just today

I found again articles AGAINST positioning devices. We are hoping to use some to

try to reduce the time we need our son in a helmet. Infact I wish we could

aggressively reposition to not need a helmet but I'm not sure it's possible. We

took some advice and have positioned him on his side in the crib with rice bags

at night BUT I keep hearing that he will sufficate or get stuck. He's 6 months

and sleeps in a woombie or a sleep sack with arms usually inside (he flails them

so much he can't sleep).

>

> What should we do with so much conflicting advice?

>

[Guest guest]

<But the risk of suffocation from sleep positioners is real and head shape isn't

more important than breathing.> I couldn't agree more.

I understand why you're feeling conflicted. It's difficult, because the

positioners can probably help with the head shape, but there is a real risk in

using them. I would focus on keeping pressure off his flat spot during the day

by minimizing time in the stroller, car seat, swing, etc. instead of trying to

repo during sleep.

Did you have him measured? Does he have plagiocephaly or brachycephaly? If he

had 10 mm or more of asymmetry (or significant brachy), I'd just go with the

band at 6 months. You've already past the best age for repositioning, but this

is an excellent time to start banding.

Best of luck!

> >

> > Hi, I'm new, and I'm still learning to navigate this groups files. Just

today I found again articles AGAINST positioning devices. We are hoping to use

some to try to reduce the time we need our son in a helmet. Infact I wish we

could aggressively reposition to not need a helmet but I'm not sure it's

possible. We took some advice and have positioned him on his side in the crib

with rice bags at night BUT I keep hearing that he will sufficate or get stuck.

He's 6 months and sleeps in a woombie or a sleep sack with arms usually inside

(he flails them so much he can't sleep).

> >

> > What should we do with so much conflicting advice?

> >

>