HELP! My baby will only sleep on her tummy!

[Elmophant]

I don't know what to do. My 6 week old will only sleep on her stomach. She will sleep for about 30 minutes on her back or side and then wakes up squirming and fussing. We have been co-sleep but I'm so nervous about letting her sleep on her tummy in our bed. The only time she gets to sleep the way she wants is during naps on the floor and I'm close by. What do I do?

[Jenyfer9]

You still have quite a little baby... does she sleep longer other places, like in a swing or carseat? I don't think tummy-sleeping while co-sleeping is a good idea, but maybe there's some other way that she'd get a longer stretch... good luck and hang in there!

[Txfish]

If you haven't tried a swaddle blanket, do that... SwaddleMe, Simple Swaddle, or Miracle Blanket. I haven't met a baby yet, at that agea t least, who isn't more likely to sleep on their back in a good swaddle. Also, a sleep positioner that will snug up on either side of them will help them feel more cozy and less "flail-y", as if that was a word.

But honestly, my oldest was a tummy sleeper from about 4 weeks of age. The other 2 didn't make it very long, either, before only being content on their stomach. I know everyone will screech at me for saying it, but if your dd is picking up her head and can turn it from side to side when she's on her tummy, I'd let her sleep that way, of course without any blankets or bunchy things within reach. We weren't co-sleeping though. Whenever a baby would co sleep, more than anything, they'd be side sleeping, tucked in my arm alongside me.

Good luck, I know it is hard to make decisions when baby doesn't follow the plan as given by Dr. and the rest of the world.

[Elmophant]

No, she will sleep for the same amount of time in the swing or car seat. I let her sleep on her tummy in the pack in play last night next to the bed and she did great, though I didnt sleep the entire time. :confused:

[smurf]

My DD was a tummy sleeper from about 6 weeks on. Like your DD, she wouldn't sleep longer than an hour on her back. We tried swaddling, sleeping in the swing, the car seat, you name it. We asked our ped. about it and she said that some babies just won't sleep on their backs, and there's nothing you can do about it. I don't think I would've felt comfortable co-sleeping with her on her tummy, but she did great in the pnp by our bed. I was a nervous wreck, but it was nice for us all to get some uninterrupted sleep! If it really makes you nervous, you could always buy an Angel Care monitor that will go off if she stops breathing. Good luck, I know it's frustrating!

[Chimichanga]

If she sleeps for the same amount of time in her swing, I think you should just put her to bed in there; if you're concerned (and it sounds like you are).

We had my DD in her swing for about 2-3 months. Not that she necessarily slept on her tummy, but because that's the only way she'd sleep. She's now a "perfectly normal" 2 year old who sleeps in her own bed.

If your DD can pick up her head, I agree with a PP and let her do it. My DD is a tummy sleeper; she always has been (except the above noted period). Yes, it worried me to no end, and I would have felt horrible if something would have happened. I would put her on her back, and she'd roll. Unless I was there the entire night to put her back, she'd eventually get on her tummy.

I'd suggest using your swing right now for bed until she's a bit older and has good head control.

[Angie]

I don't know, I think if she's able to move her head from side to side I would get one of those Angelcare monitors (http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2970307), put her on her tummy in her PnP and call it a day.

If you don't feel comfortable with that, then I would second Txfish's suggestion of a good swaddle blanket.

Good luck!

[Txfish]

Totally agree with Angie; I was actually coming back in to recommend the Angel Care to help resolve "mom distress"!

[Loud_curly]

Totally agree with Angie; I was actually coming back in to recommend the Angel Care to help resolve "mom distress"!

Yep, me too! I'm also the mom of a tummy sleeper (although he slept swaddled on his back until 3 months, when he rolled himself onto his tummy for sleep and does it every night and nap now).

[kristin]

I know I'm going to get flamed for this, but I put DC #2 to sleep on her belly. She had no risk factors for SIDs and used a pacifier (although I know you don't need risk factors for SIDS to happen).

I would never have dreamed of putting my kids to sleep on their bellies - I know better. However, after 3 sleepless nights, I figured I was going to absolutely lose it - I think DD was about 3 weeks old. I was seriously on the edge. Her brother was 18 mo at the time and I was beside myself with exhaustion. It was not good for them for me to be tired and angry all the time. So I tried it and she was a much happier baby with a few hours of sleep (as was I).

I'm not recommending it, just guiltily raising my hand that yes, there are people out there who put their kids to sleep on their bellies.;)

[Ericka_Jarett]

My kids were all belly sleepers early on. We had an angelcare monitor for my son and the girls were in my room until just about 4 days ago (they are 8 months now). Just moved the last one out last night. My kids all hated being swaddled and my swing was downstairs and I didn't want to get them use to that way of sleeping (yes my 1 twin is use to falling asleep for naps in the swing and it hurts us at night sometimes) My kids didn't sleep through the night at only 4 weeks so I was going to be getting up anyway, but at least I got longer stretches of sleep than if they back slept. My son I used a sleep positioner and it still didn't help him much (they all slept in a bassinet for the first 3 months) the girls slept next to each other and liked to hold hands so no swaddle or positioner.

[loving624]

Another tummy sleeper here! Plus, DS was a preemie, so we did have one of the risk factors. Now, he didn't start until he was about 12 weeks old, but from that moment on he has always preferred his tummy. I absolutely recommend the AngelCare monitors. That was a godsend for us.

[kindermom]

If she was my DD, I would let her sleep on her tummy. If it is what her body is telling her to do, I would follow it. I would get a monitor if it made me feel better. FWIW, DS coslept with us. He would only sleep between DH and I, near our heads, on a soft feather pillow. I tried other things but no luck. But on the pillow and he slept for most of the night.

[TracyDP]

After a few nights with your DC in the PNP by the bed, you will find you can sleep better. You will learn the breathing patterns and notice if there is a problem. You could also get a mini co-sleeper crib to put by the bed, this is what I did and I never worried about DD. She was not in bed with us, but she was right there next to me where I could reach over and touch her if I needed that assurance. She began routinely turning onto her stomach at around 4m old as soon as we stopped swaddling her. She would ONLY sleep slightly on her side even at just a few weeks old. She would wake up immediately and loudly if placed asleep directly on her back so we started propping her up about 3 inches on her side with a receiving blanket in the edge of the co-sleeper and it worked wonders. It was such a small angle that if she wiggled she would slide down onto her back rather than tip over onto her face/tummy so I never worried about it.

If your baby sleeps best on their tummy, I wouldn't fight it. Just make a safe place for her to sleep w/o anything around her. If that means no more in bed co-sleeping, then you will get used to not having her in bed with you.

[curlygurl]

Another vote for AngelCare monitor and skip the co-sleeping. You will all sleep so much better.

[myshel]

DS always slept on his back as an infant (and still does), so we had no issues. DD, however, was a different story. After many sleepless nights, we finally relented and put her on her tummy. She slept so much better.

In your case, I'm not so sure I'd co-sleep with your DD on her tummy. I'd probably do the PnP near the bed. My DD could hold up her head at 3 weeks, so I didn't bother with an Angel Care monitor, but if it gives you piece of mind, I'd say you should get one.

[jennylou]

I'm in the minority it seems like here, but I would not put my six week old to sleep on her stomach.

Of course, we lost a baby to SIDS. And, I can tell you this, if something happens, you'll question every single parenting choice that you made - I'm not saying that to guilt you, only to make you think about your choice and be very comfortable with it. Even today, I question things we did. Did him being circ'ed traumatize him? Did the Hep B Vax have anything to do with it? Was it because I was drugged out on morphine and the like b/c of my c/s and was BFing?

[Elmophant]

WOW! I didn't expect to hear so many mommies putting their babies to sleep on their tummys. I expected to get flamed for even bringing this up. Last night I put DD to sleep on her tummy in the PnP initially and she slept great (in fact she slept through her usual 2AM feeding). Then at 4 she came into bed and cuddled with me. This was AWESOME b/c I still got to co sleep but I got my initial sleep cuddling with my FH. :D

FWIW, my DD has been holding her head up since about 2-3 weeks. She easily picks up her head now and moves it from side to side. Thanks for all the replies!!!

[isign]

DS was is a tummy sleeper, and we do co-sleep. I was worried till my ped said that if he was picking up his head he'd be ok. He's almost 11m and loves his tummy. He's only just now falling asleep on his back, only if a pillow is under him (he's rotten :))

[Ellyn]

I'm in the minority it seems like here, but I would not put my six week old to sleep on her stomach.

I agree. I know someone that lost a baby to SIDS...the baby was at daycare at the time. Like jennylou, she also questions everything she did with him. I would take a few nights or weeks or even months of sleeplessness over a lifetime of it. It will get better. Would you be able to roll her over before you go to bed if you tummy sleep her to get her down? DD has been a tummy sleeper since about 6mo. but that was only when she could get herself onto her tummy.

[ladybug777]

My DD is also a tummy sleeper. I fought w/ her for months and finally just gave in. She slept better and I regained some of my sanity. I did buy the Angel Care monitor and only then did I feel comfortable.

[amew]

My DS has never been able to fall asleep well on his back, but I wasn't comfortable with him tummy sleeping all night when he was younger. So when he was a newborn we put him to sleep on his tummy in the PnP beside our bed, waited until he was in a deep sleep, and then gently flipped him onto his back, where he would then sleep for a 3-4 hour stretch. We did this every night until 5 months or so when he was rolling himself over from back to tummy as he pleased, and it was no longer possible to keep him on his back. I was definitely tempted to just let him tummy sleep as a newborn, but I didn't want to be faced with second-guessing or blaming myself if anything happened.

[Ole Miss Bride]

My daughter has been a tummy sleeper since she was just a few weeks old. It freaked me out, and I wouldn't allow her to do it until we bought the Angel Care monitor. After that, I felt more comfortable with it.

[SpelKen]

Bumping this up...

Our 7 week old has been a co-sleeping tummy sleeper for the last few weeks. After 5 weeks of no sleep, I caved in. Now he does this kind of crawling thing whenever he's awake. He seems to get fustrated when he can't crawl. Making this "unh, unh, unh" noise and flailing his arms/legs. He moves but not really smoothly and it seems to me not as quickly as he'd like. Well...he's now doing it at 4 am. Tell me what to do!

I was kind of joking with him in the midst of a crying spell. "Where's your instruction book? I think they forgot to give it to me..." I wish there was one because you never know what to do. We've tried several things.

[Marisa]

Teddy does this when he's sleeping on his stomach as well. I usually just flip him over and feed him. ;)

[TracyDP]

Have you tried swaddling? After 7 weeks he might not go for it but it's worth a try.