My 4 month old is trying to sleep on her stomach. What can I do to stop it?

Question

My 4 month old is trying to turn in her sleep to her stomach. I would not have anything against it except that she does not turn her head to the side, she lies flat. She used to sleep on a sleep ppositioner but now she hates it and is all over her crib. I tried to turn her head to the side but she keeps putting it back straight. This morning I found her face down on the mattress. I don’t know how long she has been in that position, but thank God she is OK. I can’t even think of what could have been if the mattress was softer.
What can I do to stop her from sleeping on her stomach or at least face down?

I turn her head to the side, but eventually she turns it back straight

We had a sleep positioner (baby cushions) but she hates them now and cries and starts to cry as soon as she realizes that hey are around her

Answer 1

Hello there honey.***Please read P.S.***
I just wanted to point out to you that all of my babies (5) slept on their tummy's from day one and they are all wonderful and strong and healthy! I would have to add that when they were really little they slept in bed with me at night but during the day they all slept on there tummy's from day one. When I checked on them (which I always did) if I did not like the position of their face I would turn it to the side.
By four months old I do not think that there is much you can do. Your baby is going to sleep in the position that is most comfortable for her. If you put her to bed on her side or on her back she is liable to roll over onto her tummy during the night. This is perfectly normal.
I would not worry about it. If you are really concerned just tuck her in bed with you, then you will know that she is safe.
Love and Blessings
Lady Trinity~ ***I re-read this again this morning, and all the answers that you have received. I can't help but wonder what mothers did back in the days before we had all these things like sleep positioners and such, I bet they let their babies sleep any way they wanted to. Just a thought***

Answer 2

How yah doing thanx for your opinion on my question you just answered on my baby and the mother.
My baby is also 4 months old, but hasnt been able to roll over all the way yet, where still waiting for the 360 lol. but yah I would be scared to, it's my first baby and I get so nervous about everything. I would say if it is bothering you that much then still make her use the positioner, even though she hates its one of the only ways i can think of, or maybe lay him/her on back and put a pillow on each side maybe. I DONT KNOW IM TO NEW TO IT

Answer 3

If your baby is strong enough to turn over, then she should be o.k. watch her when she naps. I'm sure she will be fine, make sure that you have a baby monitor close to her and check on her frequently. Maybe while she is awake you can lay her on her stomach and watch her and help teach her, by constantly turning her head. You could also put something musical with motion to the side of the crib, that will help keep her attention and she will fall asleep watching it. If that doesn't work, then a carrier is wonderful in times like these. My daughter is sixteen and was very sick, she stayed either in my arms or propped up in a baby carrier or swing, she's fine.

Answer 4

Give her tons of tummy time during the day. If she is going to insist upon this, make her head, neck, shoulders and back stronger. By this time, she should be able to lift up a little, turn her head and move around a lot. Keep moving her head to the side, maybe raise her crib up on a bit of an incline, so that her head is a little elevated. But while she's awake, then put her on a blanket, on the floor, on her tummy.

Answer 5

I dont think there is much you can do, maybe just keep trying her with the sleep positioner. I would go and talk to your health visitor and ask their opinion on the matter, they will be able to give you the best possible advice going.

Good luck!

Answer 6

hello! as long as you're mattress is fully ventilated(99% are) it wont matter. once a baby is able to move positions you unfortunately cant dictate how they sleep. imagine if you found a position you liked and some-one kept trying to turn you over!! i dont think sleep positioners are the right way to go. babies find their own way. it sounds as if your baby is already making her mark on the world and doing what suits her!! talk to your doctor if you're really worried but it looks to me as if you just have a wee girl who knows what she likes!! please dont resort to putting pillows either side of her as suggested, this will only make her feel more hemmed in.good luck xx

Answer 7

I rolled up two baby bankets and put them on each side of my son seem to well for me..u can also try this..

http://gallery.bcentral.com/GID2907698P2953756-F-Other-Baby-Items/Baby-Crib-Hammock.aspx

Hammock for babies to hang between crib end-boards, providing a safe, womb-like resting experience. The double sprang-weave bed truly cradles the baby occupant. When hung just above the mattress, the baby would be only an inch higher and there is no worry about "fallout". As the double sprang-weaving breathes, there is also no worry about face down postitions.

Answer 8

it's tough since she hates her sleep positioner
babycenter.com says:
"While there are no published studies to tell us the age at which your baby can safely be left to sleep on his back, once he's strong enough to roll onto his stomach by himself, you don't need to jump up throughout the night to diligently turn him over. This is especially true if he's been enjoying playtime on his tummy during the day and can also roll from his back onto his tummy again by himself." Of course, you'll also want to follow other precautions to reduce the risk of SIDS throughout your baby's first year: Make sure his mattress is firm and his crib is free of pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, and other hazards"

hope this helps check out the link
http://www.babycenter.com/expert/baby/babysleep/3571.html

Answer 9

You can talk to her pedi so see what they might suggest. The only thing I can offer is to let her sleep on her belly. She will turn her head. A sleep positioner was what i was thinking, but it sounds like that doesnt work. Like I suggested ask the doc. He might know.

Answer 10

This doesn't exactly answer your question, but I think you should read about Dr. Sprott's work on the toxic gas theory as a cause for SIDS, especially if your daughter sleeps on her face a lot. It isn't widespread in the US, but his special Babesafe mattress covers have been used in Britain and New Zealand for years and have been 100% successful in preventing crib death! My husband and I have read all the advice we could find on this subject and ordered our mattress wraps yesterday for the crib and cradle. You can order them from several websites and they'll ship them to you from New Zealand. Please read this for yourself!

http://thecauseofsids.org/