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12-24-2012 at 10:20 PM
nikkimom77
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nikkimom77 is online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 10:25 PMNewbie

Back Sleeping

My DS is 3 weeks old and I have been wondering about him sleeping on his stomach. I have been allowing him to sleep on his stomach during the day because that is the only way he will sleep. I know the recommendations about back sleeping and so I only allow it during the day when I can check on him constantly. However, nightime is a real problem. He HATES to be swaddled and wakes up after 5 minutes of putting him down because he startles and then gets angry when he realizes his arms are not free. The only way he will sleep an extended amount of time is on his stomach where he does not startle. Are any of you allowing stomach sleeping? If not, how are your LO's tolerating sleeping on their backs? Do you swaddle or leave their arms free? If you don't swaddle, how do you deal with the the arms being free?

 TIA 

 
12-24-2012 at 11:05 PM
jeffsteph1...
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jeffsteph1207 is not online. Last active: 03-03-2013, 10:07 AMNewbie
Have you tried the summer infant swaddles? They make some that allow you to let lo's arms be free. Or maybe a sleep sack? 

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12-24-2012 at 11:08 PM
jg1011
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Im curious to hear replies as I am in same exact predicament. I don't allow,stomach at night, so LO hasn't been sleeping great.

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12-25-2012 at 12:06 AM
kjsmith9
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I have the same issue and DH and I were actually just talking about stomach sleeping yesterday. I put her down on her mat for tummy time and she falls asleep within minutes! She won't sleep on her back with or without the swaddle, and will sleep propped on her side unswaddled for about 1.5 hrs at a time. Tonight she is sleeping swaddled in her RNP, and can go up to about 3.54 hrs in that. I've seen a lot of posts about this same thing I think hating back sleeping is pretty common. That being said, it also makes me too nervous to let her tummy sleep at night when I can't check her constantly...

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12-25-2012 at 5:09 AM
jillychris
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We aren't having the back issue, but just wanted to add that we swaddle but leave her arms out. DD can't stand having her arms strapped in!

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12-25-2012 at 12:23 PM
kieannb
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DD doesn't like having her arms in either. We swaddle her arms out, or put her in a sleep sack.

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12-25-2012 at 3:33 PM
starsinger...
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MS LOVES sleeping on his stomach. For the most part I only allow it when he's sleeping on me or DH but he is really gassy and some days it is the only thing he'll tolerate. I have found that he is most comfortable sleeping on his side in his crib. We roll up a blanket and prop his back up with it although now he manages to get in the position he wants without it (back or side). You can try that. He may find it more comfortable because there is less pressure on his stomach.

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12-25-2012 at 4:36 PM
tbone_brid...
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I let DS nap on his belly. It makes me nervous too but he has really strong neck and arm muscles. He does push ups already at 9 weeks! And I watch him like a hawk with the monitor. At night I swaddle with arms in, he hates it but I rock him until he falls asleep and then put him down. When he wakes during the night I usually let him sleep on my chest. Sometimes he sleeps in his back in the cosleeper but not as good. I don't allow tummy sleeping at might, makes me too nervous. If he sleeps on your chest well at night, go for it. Do what you need to let him sleep! Usually everything is a stage anyway! Good luck.

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12-26-2012 at 9:18 AM
meganflana...
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My DS is 11 weeks and we struggled with this very same thing. He hated being on his back.  I considered letting him sleep on his stomach, and while he would have probably been fine, had something happened, I would never be able to live with my decision to let him. So I toughed it out and didn't give in. He slept in his RNP until about 2 weeks ago, and then we started swaddling him with a swaddle bag and he sleeps 12 hours ON HIS BACK in his crib. Just be patient and he will eventually get the hang of it.

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12-26-2012 at 5:38 PM
ChristyML
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ChristyML is not online. Last active: 05-24-2013, 9:42 PMSilver

We co-sleep. He won't sleep without me at night (unless it's been a realllly long day for both of us).

At nap time, he sleeps in his swing.

We usually don't swaddle him unless he's acting like he wants to be swaddled (it's weird to say that I know, but sometimes we can just tell...). When he's in the swing, I put him in, then tuck a blanket really tight around him (sort of like swaddling, except he could get out pretty easily if he really wanted to). 

Have you tried having some white noise for him to sleep with? Like a fan or a heater? I use a heater only because we are living in my mom's basement right now, and it's freezing down here, even with a blanket. I would be using a fan if it was summer or if it was the first level of the house.

Also, my husband's cousin puts her children on their stomachs to sleep. She doesn't worry about it for some reason though...


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12-27-2012 at 9:32 AM
SaphrineDr...
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My baby had her arms trapped by her head in the womb so now she will only sleep well if her arms are free to be by her head. I just make sure she is wearing warm enough jammies and tuck her lower half in a warm blanket.

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12-27-2012 at 12:26 PM
Kemare20
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I strongly urge you just keep trying to find ways to get your LO to sleep on his back. You're his mama and it's your job to keep him safe. Talk to your dr. about it- I am sure he/she gets this situation ALL of the time and probably has some great things to share with you.

Tummy sleeping is never safe until your baby is able to put his/her self in that position- even at nap time (unless directed by your doctor!!) I really don't mean to scare you, but a friend of mine let her baby sleep on his belly during naps and he passed away when he was 7 months old during a nap. Yes- it can happen on their backs too, but studies show SIDS increases dramatically on their tummies.

Again, talk with your pediatrician about it. My favorite analogy to use is "If your baby screamed in the car because she hated being buckled snugly in her car seat, would you loosen the straps?" No. You buckle her snugly because that is the best way to keep her safe whether she protests it or not. IMO- it is the same with back sleeping.

I wish you luck with helping your little one back sleep!



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