My baby refuses to sleep on his back...?

Question

My 5 month old baby tends to crawl into a tummy position (which is a bit scary) in the middle of the night although I lay him on his back. How do I get him to stay on his back?

Answer 1

I had a baby die of SIDS and she was on her back. After tons of research and the changes they have made over the years in determining a SIDS death I can tell you that suffocation is no longer considered SIDS. If a baby dies on its stomach face down it is not considered SIDS it is considered suffocation. In my SIDS group most of the babies died on their backs, in swings, in car seats, being held, in strollers, etc. There are very few that were actually on their tummy. At 5 months you probably cannot keep your baby from rolling into whatever position they are most comfortable in anyways. The breathing monitors are an idea, I actually was given one with my subsequent daughter to use when I brought her home from the hospital, but I didn't keep it for very long when I found out that if a baby stops breathing because of SIDS that baby is already dead. You cannot resuscitate a baby that has stopped breathing because of SIDS so a monitor like that (apnea monitors) will only work if the baby has an episode of apnea. My daughter also used a pacifier and had one in her mouth when she died, it fell out when she stopped breathing. That is what caught my husband's attention. So, unlike some people that have lost a baby to SIDS and find them after they have been dead several hours we noticed she was not breathing right away and I started CPR. The EMS was there pretty quick since we only lived a few blocks away, but since it was SIDS there was nothing they could do even though they tried for next 24 hours. Her brain continued to swell and her body started to slowly shut down. SIDS is not hereditary, it doesn't happen to just one ethnic group, it happends to both boys and girs, and it happends to low, middle, and high class families. There is nothing you can do to prevent it becuase it is not preventable. Just enjoy your baby and try not to dwell on it or you will wake up one day and your baby will be a toddler.

Answer 2

My daughter started doing the same thing at this age and my doctor told me that she would be fine as long as we switch her back to her back when we check on her. The chances of SIDS decrease in half around six months. If your baby is strong enough to roll over with ease you shouldn't worry too much about him sleeping on his tummy. We let our daughter lay on her belly (she is now 8 mos. old) and we aren't worried like we were when she was 5 mos. and started doing it. We did have a positioner in her crib but our doctor told us to take it out because they can get tangled in it and then it becomes a hazard. Don't worry. He'll be fine.

Answer 3

Check w/ your Dr but I think by the time they are old enough to roll on their own, it isn't as big of an issue. My kids always preferred to sleep on their stomach but I would worry.
There are these little wedge pillows they make to go around your baby to prevent turning but I'm not sure they'd work for a 5 month old sized baby. Don't use regular pillows because that could increase the risk of suffocation.
But I'm thinking if he can roll & crawl then he's big enough to move his head if he's not getting enough oxygen.

Answer 4

Both my kids had reflux, so they slept better on their stomach. Once they can start moving into their own position, don't worry about it. Back to sleep, it for babies that can't really roll. If you are really worried, you can buy a baby movement monitor (Babies R Us). It goes under the mattress and an alarm goes off if no movement is felt.

Answer 5

You can use a sleep positioner (pads on either side of him hold him in place). I have been told by numerous people that once they can flip themselves over it is ok that they sleep on their stomachs - check that out with your pediatrician...

Another option - which is what I endedup settling on, it to let him sleep on his stomach, but get a heart monitor pad for his crib. They sell the following at Babies R Us, Target, Walmart, etc. and its available online all over the place. Search around - it is usually $100, but I remember seeing it online somewhere for $75...

Angelcare Movement Sensor with Sound Monitor

It goes under the crib pad and goes off if they stop breathing for 15 seconds it makes a sound and after 5 more it goes crazy. It is the only way I feel safe!

Answer 6

That's normal... mine does too. Just do whatever you can to remove any extras in the crib. SIDS is scary, but if you do everything you can and your baby is happy on his tummy, try not to worry... he's old enough to change his head position if he needs to.

Answer 7

I would think the baby would know which position is comfortable for him. Some people get tummy ache or have trouble breathing lying on their backs. Lying on ones back is not a very comfortable position.

Answer 8

at a certain age there is no keeping them on their bakc, i have a 15 month old and a 4 month old and my 4 month old wouldnt sleep on his back from 2 1/2months, it just depends on the baby, keep blankets and pillows away and out of the bed and as long as your baby can hold his or her head up then its usually okay. at 2 1/2 months my baby obviously couldnt but i knew the situation because of my older toddler. so i personally think its okay if they can hold their head up but talk to your ped

Answer 9

My wife and I have a 5 month old as well. She has been sleeping on her stomach since 2months.We were scared to (sids) but doc. says its wherever the baby sleeps more comfortably. I know its scary.

Answer 10

They have special pillows out there for that, but the big thing with babies sleeping on their tummys has to do with new borns up till they can role back and forth on their on. If they can role back and forth on their on usually there is nothing to worry about.