visiting from 3-6 for advice. New belly sleeper, rolling, screwing up sleep BAD

christyjane17

JUST when we had turned a corner.  Naps were great, so was nighttime sleep.  We put him down awake and he never fussed for more than 5 minutes.  Until...he started rolling back to belly.  UGH I feel like all of my efforts in helping DS fall asleep on his own were a waste.  We were up for two hours last night.  First, we flipped him back to his back because we assumed that's what he wanted.  Next, we tried to sooth him on his belly.  NOTHING worked : (  

The biggest problem was his paci coming out whenever he moved his head.  He didn't have that problem on his back.

 

What would you do?  What have you done?   

Is this where CIO comes in?  Luckily, he has done so well with fussing until he falls asleep (I don't really consider it CIO), but his crying last night was not leading to him falling asleep.   

christyjane17

With all of the "CIO debate" going on I suppose with this I should also mention that I absolutely feel that teaching DS to fall asleep on his own is an important skill.  I'm really not looking to start an argument with anyone who feels differently. 

ironmommy

He's probably too young for CIO. I also believe in teaching your child to fall asleep and sleep well on their own, and if you haven't read Ferbers book, it's a must.

For your current problem ... Have you tried putting him down on his belly? Or are you against that? Mine has been a tummy sleeper since he was 2 months old. I talked to his pedi about it and really felt fine with it. Don't know if that would solve your problem or not, but it's worth a try. It might also just take him getting used to his new skill ... so, in other words, just wait it out. 

kitykat086

This exact same thing happened to us right around the same time.  We just had to wait it out and it lasted about three weeks, if I remember right.  DS learned to roll over and would get upset and cry about it because he was up against the edge of his crib.  We ended up just putting him towards the back of his mattress when we put him down so that when he rolled (he would always roll the same way) he would be in the middle.  DH would have to go in a couple times a night and give him his pacifier and I was still feeding him once a night.

We waited until DS was six months old to do CIO and, honestly, I think we should have done it earlier.  He fought us tooth and nail at bedtime and screamed no matter what we tried - rocking, singing, walking, etc.  We finally figured out that he just wanted to be left alone.  After two nights of letting him cry, he went straight to sleep.  It has been amazing for all of us.

Sorry I don't have much advice - just know that it will pass.  Good luck!

christyjane17

Thanks!  Luckily he still falls asleep well initially at night-on his back.  He doesn't want to fall asleep on his belly or I totally would allow it at this age.  I will definitely try moving him further back in his crib.  I suppose the plan is to wait it out and hope the novelty wears off!

JsMama11

He'll figure it out. J went through this for a week or two until he decided that sleeping on his belly was amazing (he now sleeps much better).

I wouldn't let him CIO for this. It is typical for babies to start waking during the night practicing something new. Give it a few days.