My baby only wants to sleep on his tummy...what do I do?

Question

My 6 week old baby only wants to sleep on his tummy, if my husband or I put him down on his back he gets frustrated and starts to cry but when we lay him on his tummy he goes right to sleep. I know about "Backtosleep" and the risk of SIDS but is it really that bad? Back in the days my mom put us to sleep on our tummys...I can't see how things have changed so much, but then again I am a first time mother...any advice??

Answer 1

Omg, we had this same problem and we were paranoid about SIDS so for the first month of my daughter's life, she slept on my husband's chest...and I had him sleep in the middle of the bed, and i couldn't sleep at all...anywho, one day i discovered that if I fed her (breastfeed) while we were both laying down, she'd fall asleep on her back...and so that is what we do now and it works perfectly.

If he still insists on going to sleep on his tummy, i'd suggest investing in a product called "angel care" its a device that you put under the baby's crib and it has an alarm on it if the baby stops breathing for 20 seconds (very sensitive to breathing movements), one of my friends has it and swears by it.

Answer 2

My mom did the same... but now they have you so scared with the SIDS that you just can't do it in goof faith.
Anyway, once the baby is asleep, turn him over on his back. You could use a wedge that keeps him in that position so he won't roll over. You may want to also look at why he's more comfortable on his stomach. If he's got gas, the tummy down feels much better. Try to make sure he doesn't have too much gas. Make sure you burp him, and try giving him Mylicon after his feedings. That might do the trick.
My son did the exact same thing... and though I wouldn't let him sleep on his tummy, I did let him sleep on his side. I used the wedge until he was about 6 weeks old. From then on, he pretty much stayed on his side or back (if I turned him).

Good luck.

Answer 3

Things have changed because more research has been done. Since doctors started advising to put babies down on their back to sleep, the number of SIDS among infant has decreased by a lot (I don't remember the percentage, but it was a high number). It is not worth the risk. Try to put him on his side; it is still more dangerous than if he sleeps on his back, but safer than sleeping on his tummy. Also, you can purchase AngelCare. Have you heard about it? It is an electronic pad you put under the mattress in the crib, and it detects baby's movements, even the slightest ones (like when he/she breathes). If no movement is detected for 20 seconds, then the alarm goes off. I use it, and I think it is a great invention.

Answer 4

I have twins - 9 months old now. Almost from day 1, one liked to sleep on their front and one on their back, and they each got frustrated and couldn't sleep the other way round! So we learnt to live with it (but worried more about the one on their front!)

As soon as they were able to hold their head up, the worry about sleeping on their front goes away. And now that they roll over a lot, they are both more comfortable on their front.

Basically, I think it's in their genes what way they want to lie, but I'd recommend tilting their head slightly to one side if they lie on their front....and keep checking...a new parent always does anyway!

P.S. I've finished reading some of the other entries, and I can recommend Angel Care too. My babies were premature and in the hospital for a month and they used it there (although I didn't know what it was called and wouldn't know where to buy it from)

Answer 5

My daughter was the same way and too was worried about SIDS. My solution was to let her sleep on my chest while a layed in the middle of the bed and pillows on one side-hubby on other side. When she started rolling herself she would sleep in her crib which was at the foot of my bed on her tummy. My daugther also started sleeping better when we let her have a binky. Babies need sleep!!!

For nap times I would lay her on the couch on her tummy and then I would put pillows up and fold laundry sitting in front of her or organize pictures albums while she slept or lay at the other end and watch a little TV or crochet.

Answer 6

I have a 6 month old, and he's slept on his tummy since he was three weeks. I don't care how much they preach 'back to sleep' until they come stay up all night with him every night.

He does sleep with his pacifier, which studies have shown to reduce the sids risk, I read.

Or, you could try to lay him on his side. Many times by morning my son has rolled onto his side to sleep.

Answer 7

Let him! SIDS is a terrible fear that can happen to any baby under 1 year old at any time, but it is the minority of babys that get it, not the norm. They can be sleeping in any position.

If you're worried about it, best thing to do is to get a monitor that lets you know when/if your son stops breathing. That's you're best bet.

People of all ages will find a comfortable sleeping position and whether they fall asleep in it or not, they will end up in it because it's most comfortable. You do it too.

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with your baby sleeping on his tummy ,just think 6 weeks ago he was sleeping on his head my baby sleeps on his tummy as well he wont sleep any other way and he scared the doctor ....the doc put him on his back to look him over (Three days old) and he didn't like it and rolled over to his tummy...personally I don't like babies on there backs cuz if they spit up I think they might choke, so on the tummy or on there side ,but if he is on his tummy don't rap him up in a blanket cuz it is harder for him to move.

Answer 9

I let all four of my kids sleep on their stomach. Just make sure that there is nothing the baby can pull close to his face - like a blanket, sheet, stuffy, etc. As long as there is air and space - not too close to the side of the crib - he should be fine. This is a decision you need to make for yourself. Consider all of the risk, studies, and advice you get and make your own informed decision.

Answer 10

you can out your baby to sleep on his tummy, my son is now 5 months old and has been sleeping on his tummy since he was about a week old, just like your son he my son would fuss when he was put on his back, i am also a first time mother who was afraid to put my son to sleep on his tummy but my mom told me it was fine and that she put all her kids to sleep on their tummy {and we are all here today with kids of our own} The DR tells you not to but most babies prefer it and nothing happens, GOOD LUCK!