Flipping over While Sleeping

Updated on May 19, 2007
M.O. asks from Tampa, FL
6 answers

My son is now 5 months old. He sleeps in a pack n play in our room and sometimes with me at night. I know he is probably at the age now where we need to move him into his crib but he loves rolling over in the middle of the night. The problem with this is that he will not fall back to sleep while laying on his back. I end up turning him back onto his belly but then he gets mad that I did not pick him up. I let him fuss it out for 5-10mins. Sometimes he falls back asleep but other times he just screams. I then give in and bring him into bed...I just want any kind of sleep at this time. I breast feed him and sometimes I am able to put him back down but other times we just fall asleep. I am ready to break this habit. I get no sleep this way and he tosses around. Any suggestions on what to do about him flipping over and waking in the middle of the night? We have placed small pillows on each side of him but sometimes he scoots himself up and then the pillows serve no purpose. Will he just get use to falling back asleep on his back? I would love any advice :) Thanks.

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So What Happened?

Well...two days ago he finally discovered how to roll in reverse. I have been able to get him to take naps in his crib in his room during the day :) The night time thing is still being worked. I decided to take it one step at a time and not wish for miracles. All babies I have discovered do things at their pace when they want :) Thanks for the all the advice ladies !

More Answers

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M.F.

answers from Sarasota on

My pediatrician says once a child has the muscle control to turn over not to worry about them flipping in the middle of the night. They are then strong enough that you don't need to worry.

With that said, soon enough he will learn to turn over in reverse of what he does now and you won't need to worry about the problem. If he's not screaming when he is on his back, why turn him over though. Eventually he will fall back asleep.

Cosleeping is very controversial, but can be safe if that is what works for you. Look up cosleeping on askdrsears.com for suggestions on how to do it safely.

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S.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Quite honestly, the sleep on the back thing is a strong suggestion. My son refused to sleep on his back from about 2 weeks on. He associated back with play, so I had to put him on his stomach. He is now 7 months and healthy as can be. Besides, when my husband was little, that is exactly what his mother was told to do. Just because you are told to put him down on his back, doesn't mean he is still safe, it only REDUCES the risk of SIDS.

Your health is just as important as his. If you aren't able to take care of yourself, you will dry out and be of no use to your little one, yourself, or your husband (not necessarily in that order).

Yes, you are right about the sleeping with you thing! By this time he should be sleeping through the night, but since he isn't, here is a suggestion. Have Dad get him during the night. You little guy is smelling your milk when you get him, so he thinks it is time to eat. To break him of this, you need to have Daddy get him instead of you. Dad needs to hold him, calm him and then explain that it is time to go to bed and then lay him back down. (I know he doesn't understand what you are saying yet, but it will help for when he becomes a toddler and dows understand.)

You also need to transition him to his own room. You and your hubby need your room and space back. Your relationship with him is more important than with your son. He will learn from you regardless and he needs Mommy and Daddy to stay close in all aspects. Don't worry about neglecting him, you won't!

It is okay to let him cry for up to 20 minutes. I usually check in before then if he sounds absolutely irate. Just note that you are getting close to a growth spurt time, too, so he may need a midnight top-off from time to time.

I hope you find this helpful!

May God bless you!

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E.W.

answers from Tampa on

M.,

I used an infant sleep wedge or positioner to help my son, Teeven, stay put while sleeping. Teeven hated sleeping on his back also. Usually they are velcro so you can adjust them to they babies size. Your son is getting older and my not be able to use it much longer. We used it to help Teeven sleep on his side which worked great for us until he was about 8 months.

I hope this helps.....good luck!
E.

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M.A.

answers from Tampa on

Sleeping on the stomach is a danger. I am a daycare provider and have had the SIDS classes. The first thing to prevent SIDS is to put the baby to sleep on his back. The "experts" also say to not co-sleep... especially if he's on his tummy or around lots of bedding or pillows. The second thing to prevent SIDS is to clear the bed of any pillows or bedding other than the fitted sheet.

Babies do eventually get used to new sleep positions.

Moms DO eventually get a full nights sleep.

Try to START him out on his back. That way, if he rolls over, it will be onto his familiar belly position.

Good luck!

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J.M.

answers from Tampa on

I too used the wedges to keep my son from rolling over in his sleep, which he began to do at about 8 weeks. They worked so well, I bought two sets. I also put a wedge under the sheet to keep his head elevated and this kept him more comfortable. You can buy them at any Babies-r-us store and they are relatively inexpensive, of course there is no way to put a price on piece of mind and a full night's sleep!!

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A.A.

answers from Punta Gorda on

Hi M.,

My daughter continued to do this restless sleep thing off & on when she reached big milestones, and then the novelty wore off and she'd realized she'd rather sleep than wiggle. We co-sleep too so I know that feeling. Good luck and may you have lots of patience. Mine wears thin sometimes too.

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