4 Month Old Waking in the Middleof the Night to Flip Over

My daughter did the same thing. After awhile I got use to it and let her stay on her tummy. I know she was not out of the SIDS danger age, but she already knew how to flip on her back from her tummy. I would be more concerned if he is sleeping with a blanket at 4 months old than flipping over. At that age my daughter could wrap the blanket around her neck! But I know I was a little uncomfortable when my baby flipped to her tummy at first too while she was sleeping. After she was rolling in sequence I started laying her on her stomach all the time. I know other mom's who put there newborns on there stomach and I don't think that is too bright. SIDS has been reduced by like 70% because of the back to sleep campaign. Congrats on being able to Stay at home!

What are you covering him up with? Babies should not have any blankets on them - it's a HUGE SIDS risk.

I think it's fine that he's trying to turn himself over. That's what babies do around that age. If he can flip from back to front, then he can flip from front to back. You should still put him to bed on his back, though.

You make me think of my oldest son who turned over for the first time at 2 days of age. We called him the brute boy and he was. Once your son deceided its time to turn over there is little to nothing you can do about it. It is one of the natural developmental steps he will go thorough. With his ability to turn over also comes the ability to lift his head to repostion himself. Though there is no clinical proff of the actual cause of SIDS, on though is that in very young babies they are not able to reposition themselves and carbon dioxide builds up in the bedding. With your son being able to reposition himself the risk of this possible cause decreases. HOWEVER, do not let down your guard, the risk of SIDS continues until one year of age. There is alot of information on the web regarding SIDS and its possible causes and preventive measure. Good luck!

If he is strong enough to flip over, he must be lifting his head & that automatic self-preservation reaction kicks in so SIDS shouldn't be a problem - one of my sons did the same thing & I was so worried - but once they are able to flip, they're going to do it anyway & he s/b fine. Take a deep breath, mommy, & relax!

My first did this, too, and I finally had to reconcile that she preferred her stomach. I also believe that when babies are strong enough to choose their position, there is less chance of suffocation.

It's also important to remember that the best thing you can do to avoid SIDS is to not smoke in the house or around your baby. If you breastfeed, that provides some protection, too.

Don't frustrate yourself or worry about SIDS...flipping is apart of his developement. just never leave him alone because he will continue to flip. I have 2 healthy children and they never slept on there back.

Hi K.,

I don't think you can really keep him from turning over. Maybe if you swaddled him he wouldn't be able to.

My pediatrician told us that once our son could roll over by himself, it was okay for him to sleep on his belly if he got that way himself. You may want to ask his doctor on your next visit.

In the meantime, I would any toys, excess bedding (like blankets) and the bumper out of the crib. Dress him in warmer jammies if necessary.

L.

Hi K.,

My 4 month old was doing the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Now, she is able to flip herself all the way over to her tummy and prefers to sleep that way. She is able to position her head so she can breathe. She is my second baby and I still worry a lot and check on her often. The first couple of nights, I tried the sleep positioners, but she would flip right over them to be on her tummy. But try it and see how it works for you.

Any time babies go through a milestone, like rolling over, they tend to wake more during the night. It should only last a few nights, so hang in there.

Take care,
J.

Hi. This is a common issue. My girls simply would NOT sleep on their backs. They were belly sleepers only and still are. I know it is "against the rules" to put your baby to sleep on their bellies, but after many sleepless nights, that is what I had to do. When they were older, they would just flip themselves over to their bellies and there isn't anything you can really do for that. But...if you do not want him on his belly, you can buy a sleep positioner at the store or roll two blankets and place one on each side of him so he can't roll over. Good luck!

You are so blessed to have such a great sleeper!!! We went through something similar with my oldest. I talked to my pediatrician and she was not at all concerned and explained it as part of the developmental process. I think at 4 months the risk of SIDS declines. There are some positioners you can buy (Babies R Us, etc) that keep them in a sidelying position but I found that it did not take long for either of my kids to learn to roll all the way over once they started going part of the way. You may want to talk to your doctor but I know mine was not concerned.

Hi! Is it possible you are asuming he wants to roll over? You mentioned a blanket..usually not recommended in a crib because of potential smothering, but maybe he is warm and trying to get the blanket off of himself? There is a product in stores but you can do yourself by rolling up a blanket or towel into a log shape and placing it along your sons body, even one on each side. They do not have the strength yet to fully roll over the towel/blanket. My son is 2 1/2 and still will not use a blanket, he kicks it off. Once they find their "freedom" from the restrictions in the womb - they like to stretch out unencumbered! Is he crying? is the movement repetitive with respect to the leg/arm? If so just mention the movement/activity to your pediatrician next checkup. Babies do have growth spurts rapidly and often increase stretching and thrashing. Hope this helps.

I echo the other women's thoughts - my 5 month old went through the same thing as yours. If he wants to roll, let him roll.

One note in addition - I read in Parenting magazine that the sleep positioners are also no longer recommended because of suffocation risks. (Of course, it seems like EVERYTHING is a smothering risk these days and we should keep our babies in bubbles with no toys...)

Congrats - and just wait until he starts cutting those first teeth!

Once my daughter was able to flip over at night, and she prefers to sleep on her belly, I was a wreck and up half the night checking on her. Though, after many people telling me, "If she is able to roll herself over then she is strong enough to to move herself in a position to where breathing is just fine!" Its been 3 months of her sleeping on her side and belly (I always put her on her back)and my anxiety is getting better. You wouldn't be such a good Mom if you didn't worry :)
PS. Congrats on the soon to be baby!

Hello,

Go to Babies R Us and ask for the little pillows that keep your baby sleeping on his back. There are many styles, however I suggest that you do not get the one that has a slight incline. (he will get used to the incline and have a harder time sleeping when you remove the pillows.) I am sorry I do not remember the name of the pillows. If you go into the store just ask someone for the back to sleep pillows. They look like wheel choks. I use them for my 4 1/2 month old twins and they work great. Hope this helps. D.