Babies & Sleep

Libby Pritchett

Libby Pritchett

New member
So for those of you who are my friend on fb, you've probably seen me talk about how we've struggled with sleeping since Chloe was born. For the longest time, she was up all night, every night. Finally, we discovered that she'd sleep at night if we let her stay in her swing. It's not something I was excited about doing, but at that point, I was desperate. So, we moved her swing into our bedroom, and that's where she'd spend all night.

We've finally moved her from the swing to the pack n play at night (I'm not ready for the crib yet as she's so wiggly that she has gotten her legs stuck in the slats more than once when we've tried it), and that seems to be going ok (it's definitely a step up from the swing).

So, I said all this to say that sleep has been an issue with us from day 1.

Now here's our latest issue...

She just turned 3 months old this week, and she's learned how to roll from her back to her belly. Unfortunately, she hasn't quite figured out how to go the other direction from her belly to her back. So, when we put her down on her back (for playtime or bedtime), she IMMEDIATELY flips to her belly. Like within 10 seconds, she's flipped over. Sometimes she gets upset that she can't flip back over, but usually (when she's tired), she'll just suck her thumb and go right to sleep.

So, part of me is thrilled that we have something that seems to be working as far as bedtime goes. Last night she slept in her PNP from about 10pm til 5am then again til 8:30am. The other part of me is horrified that she's sleeping on her belly. SIDS scares the daylights out of me, so I know how important it is for them to sleep on their backs. What do you do when they won't STAY on their backs though? Obviously, I can't keep flipping her over all night cause when I do she either wakes up or flips right back over to her belly. I'll drive myself crazy doing that.

Oh, and swaddling is out. She wants no part of that. I tried the other night and she just screamed and screamed because she wanted to flip over to her belly.

She's napping right now, and she's happy as can be on her belly sucking her thumb. *sigh*

Thoughts?
 
I was concerned about it too when Kennedy started rolling that way because I would put her in her crib on her back and when I would check on her she would be on her belly.
My ped. told me that it's ok once they start rolling like that, but when you check on them just turn them back to their back. It's not that big of a deal though.

You can always ask your ped too and see what they say.
 
Zach has always been a belly sleeper. I roll him onto his back, and within minutes, he's back on his belly. Or at least, he was from the time he was about a month old. He'd always roll himself back over! The pediatrician said that he was really good at lifting his head, and that since he was rolling pretty consistently, it was okay. I've just continued to flip him over.

The past two weeks or so, he's been deciding to sleep on his back or side again. He just kind of flips however now.

Talk to your pediatrician, but if she's rolling okay and if she can lift herself up pretty well, it should be okay. Double-checking with her doctor is probably your best choice, though!
 
I only have personal experience, but ALL of my kids slept on their bellies because they did NOT want to be on ttheir backs.
 
My Health visitor said to me that once they can roll on to their front then they are ok. However it still worried me so I used to roll towels up and 'wedge' her in her Moses basket do that she couldnt roll over. I have seen something somewhere that stops babies rolling in their sleep, I will post a link when I find it. Glad to hear that you are getting a little more sleep though.
 
When they were young enough to be "stuck" on their bellies once they rolled, I turned them back over to their backs once they were asleep. (If I was lucky they slept through it, but I was never real lucky with kids and sleep.) Once they were mobile enough to roll both ways, I let it go. I still put them down on their backs every time and checked on them more frequently for a while because it made me nervous that they were rolling to their stomachs and staying there, but there's only so much you can do. The stronger and more mobile babies are the less their SIDS risk, so I comforted myself with that reminder.


winipeg1 said:
I found it
http://www.play.com/Baby/Baby/4-/30...a=X&ei=ntm3T_yrIuOY0QWRvKn_Bw&ved=0CGYQgwgwAA
Click to expand...

It's been a while since I did much SIDS research or reading, but I'm pretty sure SIDS experts are against this type of device. Even when people choose to use them, I think they need to be removed from the crib when the child starts rolling well and is essentially able to defeat them and turn them into a hazard.
 
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Oh man Libby-I feel your pain...Landen did the same thing and I was torn-part of me was like YES...sleep-unbroken sleep and then there was the crazy SIDS freakout mom, I would roll him over constantly-but his ped told us that once he can roll over the percentage rate for SIDS drops dramatically. I even went through a phase of having him sleep in my arms because I knew he wouldn't roll over there...I finally just went with the flow and got some much needed sleep.
 
It's been a long time but both my girls were flippers too. I was told to put them down on their backs but when they'd roll over to let them sleep. I kept everything out of crib/bed/whatever. Both my girls hated being swaddled but Ainsley had a sleep sack and that was awesome.
 
rach3975 said:
It's been a while since I did much SIDS research or reading, but I'm pretty sure SIDS experts are against this type of device. Even when people choose to use them, I think they need to be removed from the crib when the child starts rolling well and is essentially able to defeat them and turn them into a hazard.
Click to expand...

wow I wasn't aware of this, I never bought one as Hollie was in a Moses basket till her legs were to long (6mnts) so I never needed it but I saw it a while back when looking at random baby stuff.
 
I'm sure this has already been stated but once they learn to turn them selves over they are fine to sleep on their bellies. At 3 months she has the neck strength and control to turn her head from side to side to not obstruct her breathing!!!
 
All four of my sister's kids were belly sleepers. They just wouldn't sleep any other way.
 
I've also heard that once they start rolling it's okay, but to turn them when you check on them. I also had a sleepsack for my LO cuz he'd kick his blankets off all the time and I guess that could also prevent her from rolling over?

I'd suggest talking to your ped also, hear what they say :) So glad to hear she is sleeping so well!
 
once my son could roll onto his tummy that would be the only way he would sleep, i talked to his pediatrician and she said it was okay. Check with her pediatrician
 
my kiddos were belly sleepers too... once they learned to roll from their back to belly I just let them stay that way because they slept so much better... and it's so much more comfortable for them because of the reflux to be on their belly than on their back... which is probably why Chloe likes it so much.
 
All 4 of my kids were belly sleepers and slept thru the night comparatively early (the latest was 3 months - the earliest was 6 weeks). If she is strong enough to flip, she should be fine. Get some sleep, mama.

Stephanie
 
My kids were belly sleepers too, as soon as they learned to roll on their own and swaddling was no longer an option. But I tell you, I swaddled until they just wouldn't let me anymore. I'd still do it, if that were possible! hehe

Ethan spent the first 6 months of his little life, sleeping in his carseat. He loved that thing and it was so handy because it went everywhere with us.

Libby honey, you have to do what works best for you. The other girls have given you some good thoughts to consider. :)
 
I would take a phone book and slightly prop up the mattress, so if they did spit up while on their bellies it would slide down a bit.

E was a tummy sleeper. She still is. lol.
 
When I had Grant (20 years ago), it had just come out that the baby shouldn't sleep on the back OR belly. So I had one of those things linked above to keep him on his side. I remember taking him into work to show him off - I even used that thing in his stroller and one guy (father of 3) asked me what it was. When I explained it was to prevent SIDS, etc. he said "just because something CAN happen, doesn't mean it will" and THAT saying has stuck with me ever since about many things in life.

Since then, of course, recommendations have been updated and the others here have given you good, more recent advice, than I have. ;)
 
Thanks everyone! I feel better about it all. I have to admit, she's slept SO well these past few nights. She did have a tummy ache last night that kept her up, but when she's ready to sleep, she rolls right over, pops that thumb in her mouth, and she's out. Sure beats putting her in the swing all night! LOL
 
I'm obv the last person who should comment here since Callen's my first. But I would hang that kid upside down like a bat if it meant he would give me a consistent stretch of sleep at night, LOL! If he slept on his belly I'd take it and run with it, especially in this case because there's nothing you can really do about it. Either let her flip over and sleep like that, or spend the entire night trying to flip her back over, lol. I'll take the sleep please. :)
 
do what is best! i am such a worrier and if i could go back 4 years there would be lots I would change.. so much i didn't do or didn't follow my instinct cause I was worried (and lucas was my 2nd! I worried more with him than lily - whats up with that)

They say sleeping on the belly helps to put pressure on babies who can be gassy too so that could help with that as well! :)
 
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