My infant will not sleep on her back! I have a three year old boy who always slept on his back, as per doctor recommendations these days (SIDS risk reduction). Now I have just had a baby girl, she is two months old, and absolutley refuses to sleep on her back. She doesnt even really like spending awake time on her back very much. I have tried elevating her head, lulling her in my arms then putting her to sleep on her back, even putting her on her side with a 'wedge' to keep her in place. She is a very calm, good baby,normal, healthy, breastfed, never spits up, no tummy problems..etc. She sleeps next to me in a cosleeper, on her tummy and only wakes for one feeding at 4 am. Its so nice to have her sleeping so happily, but everyone keeps telling me I am taking HUGE risk with her (SIDS). Now, I know my parents put us to sleep on our tummies (way back then), and philosophies can change.. but did/is anyone else out there letting their infant sleep on his/her tummy, and what do you know about risks? Does anyone know what is safe to do,or how to get her to sleep on her back? She already has good neck strength and can do 'baby pushups', but some people tell me that doesnt matter. I would appreciate any help, I am losing so much sleep just reaching over every few minutes to make sure she is breathing!Thanks!
First I want to say thank you to everyone for responding! It is so nice to have this forum in which so many wonderful women are there to help each other! My infant girl is now sleeping on her back, and the change only took a couple of days. Based on the great responses I determined it must have been a combination of the 'startle reflex' and possibly a bit of reflux that was keeping her from ever being happy on her back. I did elevate the head end of the cosleeper with a cushion, and found a product called the "CocoonaBaby" made by Red Castle. It is a little nest/pillow the baby can sleep in (only on their back), developed originally for premies by pediatricians, which positions the baby to feel more like they are in the mother's womb, and minimizes any startle reflex, colic, reflux, or digestive problems. It was expensive- 139 euros (or around 200 US dollars)- but completely worth it for the peace of mind and the reduction of SIDS risk. After a couple of days she was happy in it, and will sleep on her back, even if she is not in the 'CocoonaBaby'. I highly recommend this product to anyone else with an infant that is not comfortable on their back- no matter what the reason. Thanks again for the amazing support!
My little one, who is now 6 months, was the same. I started to swaddle her and it helped her to sleep on her back. By 4 1/2 months she was rolling out of the swaddle so I put her in a sleepsack and now she is strictly a tummy sleeper. But, the swaddle bought us time until she was able to roll by herself. It may help you as well. Good luck.
Hello, your question caught my attention because I had exactly the same problem with my twin boys when they were infants. One was okay sleeping on his back if he was swaddled, but the other was definitely most comfortable on his tummy. I had the same worried comments from family members and friends, and I did plenty of worrying myself! My husband and I started swaddling them both so they would sleep on their backs, which worked for awhile but as they got to around 4 months they kept "undoing" the swaddle several times a night and would cry, and we would have to get up and reswaddle them. A friend of mine whose baby was also a tummy sleeper told me she used the Angel Care motion detecter baby monitor and so we ordered one for each twin--it worked great and the cost was well worth it to have some peace of mind at night! The company that makes these monitors has a disclaimer that it's not designed to prevent SIDS, but it definitely helps parents sleep a little easier. My boys are now almost 2 and still love to sleep on their tummies!
By the way the other reason your post caught my eye is because I live in Montpellier, France, and am originally from the No. Virginia area. Small world!
Hi, I agree with most of the comments you have gotten. I had my son sleep on my chest at night on his belly, for the first few month and so your breathing rythm, will guide your baby to breathe.It is suggested to have the baby in your room for the first year, so he/she can follow your breathing rythm. However, I personally moved my son into his room @ 4 month and he will only sleep on his side. How awesome ,that she sleeps so long already, which has definetely to do with sleeping on her tummy, as the jerking of the arms is no issue.
maybe trying to hold her in your arms on her back, or on your chest on her back for a couple of naps, will get her used to sometimes sleep on her back, until she can roll over by herself.Good luck to you and hi to Europe, my home....
My neice was/is the same way, she refused to sleep on her back regardless of how hard my sister in law tried and finally she just let her sleep the way she wanted. I understand the risks associated with tummy sleeping but what can you do? I think you should just let her sleep the way she is most comfortable and if she will take a pacifier be sure she has it and don't let her sleep with any blankets. Just do what you can to reduce the risks and try to get some sleep. Good Luck.
Hi. I was in the same situation you are in four months ago with my little boy. He would NOT sleep on his back--or at least not for any extended period of time. After we stopped swaddling him and it was difficult to have him stay on his side (which he was happy with), we switched him onto his stomach and he LOVED it! He slept five to six hours straight. I was very nervous because of the risk and because my doctor had told me NEVER to put him down on his stomach. But, my husband and I eventually rationalized that WE survived our parents putting us to sleep on our bellies--and both of us sleep that way now, so it makes sense that our son would prefer it--right? :) He's been sleeping on his belly for over four months now and is a healthy, happy 8-month-old. Do what you feel good about, but don't be afraid to stick with what works for YOUR baby.
I don't belief that SIDS is a big a threat as it once was. I might get shoot for this, but my opinion is we used SIDS as a catch all. There are a lot of things (allergies being a big one) that we were not able to detect all those years ago that likely contributed to SIDS death numbers. Some of my babies slept on their back and some didn't but as a mother of many I would tell you trust your happy sleeping baby.
I understand! I have to confess that both of my babies have been tummy sleepers. I first discovered it when my oldest was two weeks old, hadn't slept more than 45 minutes at a time on her back, and during "tummy time" she passed out on the floor for 4 hours! She was a tummy sleeper after that! My second is also a tummy sleeper (although he could roll onto his back before 3 months old). I have read a compelling article linking SIDS to used mattresses, so I make sure each of my babies have a new mattress. I don't worry as much about SIDS once my babies can turn their heads, and I only had a couple of nights waking up in a panic worrying (but it helps me sleep to have the baby in another room, otherwise I wake up at every little peep he makes). Anyways, what doctors "know" changes over time, so you need to do what you are comfortable with. Just know your baby wouldn't be the first, or last to prefer sleeping on her tummy!
G.:
Hello and good morning! Both of my boys were premies and were in the NICU - where they put them on their bellies. Needless to say, when we got to bring them home, they wanted to sleep on their bellies. I let them. They are now 8 and 6. My second son was more iffy - because he has stopped breathing in the hospital and had pneumonia (long story). Any way - I realize there are risks with tummy sleepers, however, I do agree that when we were babies, we slept on our tummies. GO with your gut. It always serves us best to follow our own mommy instincts.
Take good care!
Our kids were the same way, and even though I would put them down on their back they would flip on their tummy at night.I remember with our oldest I would set an alarm at night and would check on him. However with our youngest we actually got
AngleCare motion monitor and it was wonderful(we did not use a cosleeper though just had a mini crib right next to our bed)
This is obviously not a medical opinion, but I say, "Don't Stress!" My baby was the same way, so I put him on his side in a positioner. Then THAT got me all worried, because everyone said they weren't good for him either! Now he's a healthy, happy, strong 6 month old who sleeps on his belly. Once they roll over, they choose what they like anyways. :)
Your little girl sounds strong, and that is what matters. My doc said that most cases of SIDS involve babies who have difficulty moving their heads on their own, have weak necks, or who sleep too soundly at a very young age. Your daughter sounds healthy and perfect- so I think you should let her sleep however works for her! (No blankets, or other choking hazards, of course!)
I have a four-year old and a four month old. It is not a risk I would take. Clearly, you aren't even trusting your own instincts on this, or else you wouldn't be so anxious and still letting her do it.
I am sure you aren't the first mom to feel this way or who gives into temptation in the wee hours after trying to get a screaming newborn to sleep. But the sleeping on the back thing, is the one line of research which everyone agrees on when it comes to SIDS. Keep the baby on her back for one year and nothing in the crib (toys, pilow, etc.).
When they are able to roll over on their own, there is not much you can do, but until then it is up to you to give her the safest possible conditions. If she really is intrinsicly a tummy sleeper, then she will probably roll herself over in a few months, so you don't have long to go. But in the meantime, you have many nights of worry ahead of you, which I have to say would be justified worry.
I sympathize with how you want to make her comfortable and get her to sleep. But, as an experienced mom, you know this is the first in a long line of things that you need to do for her safety, whether she likes it or not, and whether it is easier for you. Also, you know how quickly they change their sleep habits. I think a few nights of back sleeping and she will probably be used to it. Babies this age often have difficult sleep behaviors, that is just how it is.
Lots of moms make compromises for naps - like putting the baby in a swing or bouncer - I did this too. It's fine as long as you can supervise them. Maybe, when you are awaks for her naps, one of these or the tummy even might be okay. However, everytime you put her on her stomach, you are reinforcing the habit.
Congratualations on your new addition - remeber it gets easier soon! I am just two months ahead of you and my back-sleeper sleeps 10-12 hours at night.
