Lillian M. Beard, M.D, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is an associate clinical professor at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C. She is a frequent guest expert and spokesperson on national television programs, discussing issues related to children's health. Dr. Beard practices pediatrics in Washington, D.C.

Q: When is it safe to let my baby sleep on her stomach at night? She sleeps better on her stomach.

A: For years in the United States, pediatricians thought that infants would be protected against the hazards of choking from spitting up or vomiting by sleeping on their abdomen. When repeated studies, initially conducted in other countries, concluded that in societies where infants were placed on their backs for sleeping, the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ( SIDS) was much lower, we had to change our stance. Since the American Academy of Pediatrics heralded the "back to sleep" campaign, the number for babies succumbing to SIDS in this country has shown a definite and dramatic drop. The few exceptions to this recommendation include very premature infants, those who are vomiting or spitting up a great deal, infants with certain airway abnormalities, or when parents are specifically advised by their pediatricians to use other positions.

Once your baby is able to roll over on her own and find a comfortable position with some degree of consistency, she is probably able to safely sleep in that position, even if it is on her tummy. Generally this pattern occurs after the age of 5 - 6 months, when she will be past the highest risk period for SIDS.