How do I keep 4 month old sleeping on back?

Question

My daughter is 4.5 months old, and is now turning over at will. She has outgrown the foam incline pad with the anti-turn wedges. Now when she sleeps she winds up on her side or her tummy. She seems so comfortable but our doctor said back only. Any advice?

Answer 1

from what i understand once they can roll themselves over they are okay sleeping however they are comfortable.

Answer 2

I just attended a training seminar in SIDS and children are forming their sleep patterns. It is always best to put them on their back to sleep and their tummy to play. We are required to put children on their backs but when they flip we are to leave them alone, not flip them like a pancake, this will interrupt their sleep. Whenever a licensing counselor comes around and sees a child on their stomach they have a fit. No blankets, no toys, no anything. Please don't put that wedgie back into her crib, any object could potentially suffocate your child. Also, blankets(when you do begin to use them) should never be above their arms as they could become entangled around their neck. Children are at risk for SIDS up until 6 months, but many times what causes their death is a toy or blanket or some other item that might have been placed in the crib. I don't mean to frighten you, but it's better to be safe than sorry!

Answer 3

Once they start to roll over there's really nothing that you can do (you still want to always put them to bed on their back even though they will still roll). As long as she is on a firm mattress without any pillows or blankets then she will be fine. My daughter has been sleeping on her stomach since she has learned to roll over at 4 months... she is now a year old. I know you worry about SIDS but, try not too. Like I said you really have no control over it and once they learn to roll you don't want to put anything extra in the crib.. they could end up rolling over whatever you put in there and it could end up causing more harm than doing good.

Answer 4

This question I can actually confidently answer! Hooray... if your daughter is moving her head side to side and is now able to roll over on her own.. she is not at a high risk for SIDS anymore.. isn't that good news... I'm not saying all the risk factors are illiminated... just the fact that she is more mobile is great. Baby on it's back to sleep is mainly to help reduce SIDS factors. It sounds like your baby is doing great and you don't have to worry so much if she has moved to a different position during sleep!

Answer 5

This is kind of common sense, but I figured I would throw it out there anyway, be sure to keep the crib and the surrounding area free from blankets, stuffed animals, pillows ect. now that she is able to move you may find her face in a pillow or thick blanket, this could pose a potential hazard. The only thing that should be in the crib at this age is a sheet, a light receiving blanket and appropriate crib toys, other than that, all of the other answers are correct and reliable.

Answer 6

Just let her sleep on her tummy. My son did that and I was in his room every half hour turning him back on his back. No matter what you do they will sleep on their tummy once they can do it. I was freaking out the first actual night my son sleep on his tummy the whole night. It was the scariest and best night because that was the first time he slept through the whole night! I have twins that are one and they still sleep on their tummy. Don't worry about if she has the strong enough to roll over she will be just fine.

Answer 7

How long ago did your Doctor say back only? Most pediatricians say that once a baby is mature enough to roll to their belly on their own, that it's ok for them to sleep that way. I have three sons, all of whom started sleeping on their bellies on their own at about that age. I'd check back with your doc on that, and also consult " What to expect the first year" it's a great book. Good luck.

Answer 8

It's normal at that age that she's going to end up on her back.. Just check on her periodically... I don't see any problem with her sleeping like that... The risk of SIDS is decreased at that age... Just keep an eye every now and then. .If you are really freaked they sell movement monitors that sound alarm if no movement for 20 sec... They run around $100 for a piece of mind

Answer 9

Usually most people say that once a child is rolling over, then they should be able to sleep any way they want; this is if the child is rolling both back to front and front to back. You could try a positioner; it has "soft blocks" on the sides that keep your kiddo in place. Something like this?

http://www.greatbabyproducts.com/Infant_Sleep_Positioner_p/sass-050.htm

Answer 10

I WOULD IMAGINE SINCE YOUR BABY IS NOW BECOMING MOBILE THAT IF SHE WANTS TO SLEEP ON HER STOMACH LET HER SLEEP ON HER STOMACH. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A BABY SHOULD SLEEP ON HER BACK BECAUSE OF SIDS. NEW STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT SIDS IS A CHANGE IN THE BRAIN. MY DAUGHTER SLEPT ON HER TUMMY AS SOON AS SHE COULD ROLL AND STILL DOES TODAY ( NOW 10 MONTHS) YOU DO WHAT YOU FEEL BEST. THIS IS ONLY MY OPINION IT IS UP TO YOU WHETHER YOU CHOSE TO LISTEN TO IT....