Rolling, rolling, rolling...

Babyville · July 2011

Ok...night three of my return to newborn "zombie-no-sleep" brain...

My LO is rolling over every night in her crib flat on to her face, then she either cries out (I get up, turn her over, go back to bed) or keeps sleeping with her head flat against the mattress (scares me to death, think she'll suffocate, turn her over, go back to bed)...then about 10 minutes later...it all starts again!!

Someone at work told my DH about sleep positioners but BRU said they don't stock them anymore and I'm assuming this is because they are unsafe??? Have nay of you had this same problem? If so, what did you do?

Please help! I NEED to sleep!!!! Sleep

ateytelb · July 2011

She already rolls over at 3 months? We haven't had the same problem but I noticed that wearable blankets make it harder for them to roll over. What does she wear at night?

benoitfan · July 2011

Can she hold her head up? LIft her chin if she is face down? If so, I wouldn't be overly concerned, as long as her mattress is firm nd there is no deep, soft bedding that her face can sink into. One of the moms in our childbirth class had a newborn that would not sleep unless he was on his tummy from the get go. Her doc, told her that it that is the only way the LO would sleep to let him sleep that way, so she did from about a week old. If you are too concerned to just leave her be, then maybe try the sleep sack thing, she may not be strong enough to turn herself over and lift the weigh of the sleep sack.

Luckily my LO slept on his side pretty much from birth to 8 months, then he would start on his back, immediately roll to his side and then end up on his tummy. He is most definitely a tummy sleeper now.

Strunella · July 2011

DS started rolling on to his tummy at around 4 months. I'd put him in the crib on his back, and shortly after, he'd end up on his tummy. I knew it was pointless, but I'd let him get into a deep sleep and then put him on his back again. Usually, he would stay like this for a while...of course, by morning he'd be back on his tummy.

I don't think the sleep positioners were recommended. I did ask the pedi about it, and he said that there was no need to keep rolling him over. Just make sure that nothing was in the crib and suggested a fan for air circulation. So I bought a little fan. He wasn't face down in the crib though...so I'm not sure about that.

vanverth · July 2011

I loved swaddlers. I swaddled Michael until he was 9 months old and too tall for them any more. He could not roll over if he was all wrapped up.

robynlesley · July 2011

Usually when a LO rolls, you are supposed to unswaddle and stop using positioners (if you used them, which I did). And, yes, they are no longer sold in many stores due to infant death (possibly from improper use, but there was a recall).

What I would do is this:

1) Buy breathable bumpers if you haven't already. Then you don't have to worry about if her face is smooshed against them.

2) If she is able to roll back on her own, then don't worry and let her sleep on her tummy if she rolls that way.

3) Buy an Angelcare monitor that will alert you if she stops moving.

Most likely she won't suffocate, but I understand those fears. I had them too. But the honest truth is that my DS FINALLY STTN (at 9 months) when he began sleeping on his tummy. And most nights he's still sleeping that way (at almost 2).

stever · July 2011

In my experience the rolling just happens and there's not much you can do about it. It's scary as hell, but it is what it is.

leffe1 · July 2011

I agree that there is probably nothing you can do but go in and roll her back. I think she will be ok but can understand your fear being so young.

bridgeybride · July 2011

Wow.. at 3 months..

My daughter started doing that at exactly 5 months.. drove me crazy for a few nights.. I would roll her back, but she would end up on her tummy. I called pedi about it b/c I was freaked out.. and she laughed and said she'd be fine.. since she could roll at that point.. she could lift her head...BUT.. your DD is ONLY 3 months? or almost 4? If she lifts her head well and has control.. I wouldn't worry.. Maybe call your pedi about it.. b/c if she's rolling, she's likely fine.

My DD has slept through the night ever since she could roll on to her tummy.. and you should see how she sleeps now.. with every cuddly blankie, stuffed animal...pillow pet... bumpers.. her face smushed into the sides.. she's fine.. all over the place.. but ALWAYS on her tummy.. and her tush up in the air.

ntyravgmom · July 2011

I was concerned about my youngest sleeping on his tummy, too. Someone recommended a towel between the mattress and the sheet, since most mattresses have a plastic-like covering (& I'm NOT talking about the plastic that you remove when you purchase a mattress-just to be clear). Supposedly a towel is breathable. But if you LO is flat on her face and is squishing all airways where she can't possibly breathe without you rolling her over, then I would certainly continue to roll your LO back onto his/her back. GL

pahokie · July 2011

Our pedi told us that we should DD in the crib on her back and if she rolled herself over, it was fine. I should add that we had NOTHING in the crib with DD, and she did not wake up crying when she did roll over. That part I have no help with. GL!

Babyville · July 2011

Thanks for all the wonderful advice 35+ gang! Smile

We have purchased some breathable bumpers and for the last two nights LO has slept really well on her tummy. I have turned her head a little so it's not too "smooshed" but have let her be on her belly. I know she can left her head really well so your advice about the head lifting helped calm my anxiety.

Peppernut · July 2011

Everyone already had all the great advice, I'm just glad you're reassured! Also, yay that your girl has such great coordination and strength!

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