My 9 month-old son is falling asleep sitting doubled over. Any similar experiences & how did you handle?

Question

He recently started to crawl and get into sitting position. Whenever we put him in his crib now, he immediately sits up, rocks back and forth, and cries. It doesn't look healthy to fall asleep doubled over. I'm curious how long this could last and any ideas how to help.

Answer 1

Babies sleep in all sorts of strange positions- it's nothing to get alarmed about. He probably cries because like all kids, he simply doesn't want to go to sleep. The sitting position is probably his attempt to fight off sleep- except he loses the battle. Once he's asleep, you should be able to put him in a different position to sleep. At his age, he is able to move himself around enough to change to suit himself. Usually you find them with their heads pressed into a corner of the crib with their bum in the air- but I've had six kids and they have all had weird favorite sleeping positions from time to time. There's nothing to worry you and nothing that really needs your help. Reposition him if you like, but otherwise, leave sleeping babies to sleep and enjoy the quiet while you can.

Answer 2

Um, I'm not a parent so I hope my advice is relevant...

From what I know infants should sleep on their backs - especially if they have a tendency to end up face down when allowed to do so (and no, I'm not in any way saying or insinuating etc that you're an awful parent).

Can you swaddle securely in blankets and place him on his back to sleep? He'll hate it at first, BUT it'll mean you won't be freaking out about him falling asleep on his face.

He's sitting up cause he can (well kinda lol), he's also sitting up cause he wants to look around - he's more curious and it's no longer one-dimensional views he wants / needs. He's exploring his periphery (lines of vision) and it's possible he might be experiencing a little detachment and anxiety.

Again, not judging but asking, is he sitting up when you're not directly with him? If so, try sitting on the floor, legs outstretched (in a V) and place him between your legs so he can lean back into you.

It sounds techical but it could be a way to work out if his crying is because of discomfort (in which case he should be taken to a doctor) or because he's wanting to explore but wanting you there with him.

Talk to your maternal and child health service (if you have one in your local area that you're taking your son to) and ask them about what they recommend.

Good luck and contrats on your 9 month old - they grow fast (so I'm told!)

Answer 3

my daughter was great at falling asleep until she could sit up as she would rock and fall over bang head and all sorts in the cot but it wouldnt take long for her to fall over, then when she could stand it got worse as she thinks her cot is a trampoline and bounces up and down for about half hour before falling asleep in some weird and wonderful position bent over, legs in air and so on and she still doing it

Answer 4

Kids do funny things. My daughter and one of my boys would go to sleep on there tummy or rather their chest really with their butt stuck WAY up in the air. Almost like a yoga position. You can imagine how bad that scared me at first being on their stomach. Anyways, kids fall asleep funny all the time, at the dinner table, in the car, watching tv. Dont sweat it. If it hurt him, he would shift positions in his sleep. Good luck.

Answer 5

If you are concerned there is no harm in calling your pediatrician or family doctor and asking them. But as the above have mentioned it is true they fall asleep in the strangest ways.

Answer 6

hey you know how similar we are. even my girl was like tht till 18 months. but she is good now dont worry

Answer 7

HI MY DAUGHTER TURNED 1 TODAY YAY BUT NE WAYS SHE SHE DID SLEEP DOUBLED OVER AND IT MAY NOT LOOK COMFY TO US BUT TO THEM IT IS AND MY DAUGHTER STILL DOES IT SO IT IS PERFECATLY SAFE AND NORMAL!!!