My son sleeps in my bed...?

Question

My 4 month old son did not sleep in my bed for the first week or so but ever since hen he has, he is now 4 months old. The only way I can get him to sleep in his crib is on his stomach, he will not sleep on his back. I know it is bad to sleep on his stomach so I always end up with him back in my bed. I don't know what to do, any advice?

Answer 1

I did the same thing and now my son is 1 1/2 and for the most part he sleeps just fine in his crib. Try putting him on his side and put something of yours in the crib with him that has your smell on it. I would make it a shirt or blanket that he can lay on so that this dosen't smother him. I was bad as well though I let my son sleep on his tummy even though I know you shouldn't but he wouldn't sleep on his back either even in bed with me. I felt better with him like that really because having him on his back scared me that he may spit up and then end up chokeing on it in his sleep. Hope this helps good luck.

Answer 2

He's probably better off in his crib, rather than your bed. If he's rolling over, there isn't much you can do to prevent him from sleeping on his tummy. My girls slept on their tummies starting very young and they turned out just fine. Just make sure there isn't any pillows, animals, blankets, etc in the crib. Dress him warm enough at bedtime so he won't need a blanket, too. Just keep the crib empty, except for him and if he chooses to sleep on his tummy, then let him.

When my girls were babies...I use to put them to bed and say a prayer everynight that God would keep them safe. Seemed to have worked, as they're 8 and 4 now!!

Good luck!!

Answer 3

At four months old, he needs to be sleeping on his own, if that is what you have decided as a parent.

There are many parents who decide to have their children sleep with them.
Still there are other parents (me include) who would like to have their child sleep in his bed, and the parent in hers. If you would like to join the corp of parents who believe in private sleeping quarters, I do have a bit of advice you might try.
Of course, you should consult with your pediatrician before changing your habits.
The path to a good night's rest is paved throughout the day. Be sure to plan the appropriate napping time throughout the day. When bedtime comes, go through the routine as planned: for example: bath, bottle, change diaper and then when you see heavy eyelids and yawning go upstairs into a quiet, almost dark room and lay your lil' one down on his back. Step just outside the room so that you may hear exactly what his cry sounds like. Make yourself wait for 5 minutes, if the cry is more like a whinning/not strong cry then wait another 5 minutes. This will help with self-soothing. If his cry gets frantic/scared-like, go in QUIETLY (don't talk) and just gently rub his belly. This should calm him. If this does not work, pick him up and go to bed. Try this again the next night. This could take up to a week. But stay strong and know that you are doing this for the sake for your lil' one.

Answer 4

After 3 mos its ok to sleep on tummy, as long as baby can lay on tummy and hold head up. As son as I put my baby in his crib (he's almost 6 mos) he rolls on his side/stomach, thats just how he wants to sleep. Its better to get baby to sleep in crib, so your bed doesnt become a habit!

Answer 5

U could try to lay him down & then Put one of those wedge things around him to see if that would prevent him from Flipping over to his tummy... I think you should be out of any risk of SIDS but just remember if you do let him sleep in his crib on his tummy to make sure no big blankets or pillows are in the crib with him.

Answer 6

Can he roll over yet? When he can, put him on his back to sleep and if he flips over on his tummy it will be fine. Now is the time to do it. You'll have to just put him in his bed, tell him goodnight and leave. We use the aquarium crib toy and it works like a dream...good luck!

Answer 7

My 2nd child used to sleep on her stomach. At times, I'd put a pillow (not bolster as it tends to roll away) close beside her so she can't turn to her stomach but I noticed that she sleeps better on her stomach so I left it as such. What I realised is that she was able to steady her head and learnt to crawl faster than her siblings, probably from the posture she had been sleeping in.

Answer 8

2 of my dearest friends have (had) this issue and allowed there children to sleep on there bellys....they just watched them extra close and made sure to check on them often while they were still small. Lucky for me, my kids have been fine w/sleeping on there backs, but if not I would allow them to sleep on there belly's. I just pray over them before going to sleep and trust that the Lord will take care of them. Also, don't give up - I'm sure you get tired and exhausted at times, but kids can be trained, you just gotta be adament about sticking with whatever it is you are trying. My best friend and her hubby HELD there newborn 24-7, I had to go to there house for a weekend and show them that it was possible to lay that baby down. You'll get it, don't give up! :)

Answer 9

Well, you can consider that human beings evolved to sleep with their mothers. No other primate mother besides a human primate mother even puts her infant down in the first year, let alone takes her infant to a distant room in the dark to leave him alone. Infants are terrified to be separated from mommy - evolution has created a brain that equates mommy's absence with grave danger and so is flooded by cortisol, a stress hormone, in mother's absence. cortisol suppresses learning, increases anxiety and depression and makes the child an adult who can't cope with stress.

So, my advice, enjoy that your son knows what he NEEDS, sleeping with mommy. It's the best way to support nursing as well as his emotional health and your good night's sleep.

Answer 10

All three of our sons slept in our bed until they wanted one of their own. They all asked for a bed at about 2 or 3. Our fourth son is due in September. SO convenient to leave their ninny out where they can get to it.