Need help/advice

bshepard22 · July 2012

Hello everyone!

My little man is 5 weeks old today. When I took him to his 1 month check up Monday his doctor lectured me about letting him sleep on his stomach b/c of SIDS. I knew about SIDS and at first only let him sleep on his stomach during the day when I could watch over him. He was doing so well that I started letting him sleep on his belly at night. He sleeps so well and I was getting a good 4-6 hours at a time depending on what time he went to sleep and the last time he ate.

Needless to say I was told to get him off his stomach and onto his back to avoid the SIDS risk. He HATES to lay on his back. No matter what I do he will not lay on his back. I wait until he is completely knocked out and lay him down, he instantly wakes right back up. I have been having him sleep in his boppy pillow in my bed and even though he doesn't sleep great in that either I can at least get about 3 hours out of him. The last two nights though he hasn't even wanted to lay in the pillow. Every time I lay him down he wakes right back up and wants to be held. I do not hold him during the day when he sleeps so I can't figure out why he is doing this at night now.

If anyone can please give me tips on how to get my baby to sleep on his back I would appreciate it. I am willing to try anything at this point. I really want him back in his bassinet but I'm at a loss for what to do. Again, any help or advice is much appreciated!

JulesFo · July 2012

Have you tried a rock n play? They're pretty cheap and dd loooooves it!

morethancottoncandy · July 2012

I'm not sure what would possess you to put him on his belly to sleep knowing the risks. However, you should also know that sleeping in the boppy pillow is absolutely not recommended either as it also increases the SIDS risk.

Maybe try a Rock N Play. He might be more comfortable in a slightly elevated position.

JulesFo · July 2012

morethancottoncandy:
I'm not sure what would possess you to put him on his belly to sleep knowing the risks. However, you should also know that sleeping in the boppy pillow is absolutely not recommended either as it also increases the SIDS risk.
Maybe try a Rock N Play. He might be more comfortable in a slightly elevated position.

Ditto the warning on the Boppy. Also, have you tried swaddling snugly? Laying on the tummy prevents them from flailing so perhaps that's what is causing the sleep issue. Swaddling and the RnP might help him feel secure

morethancottoncandy · July 2012

JulesFo:
morethancottoncandy:
I'm not sure what would possess you to put him on his belly to sleep knowing the risks. However, you should also know that sleeping in the boppy pillow is absolutely not recommended either as it also increases the SIDS risk.
Maybe try a Rock N Play. He might be more comfortable in a slightly elevated position.

Ditto the warning on the Boppy. Also, have you tried swaddling snugly? Laying on the tummy prevents them from flailing so perhaps that's what is causing the sleep issue. Swaddling and the RnP might help him feel secure

This too and I'll just add on to this also, you really should read some books. Try Happiest Baby on the Block or Baby Whisperer, as they have some pretty good tricks for comforting a crying baby.

Please, please, please do not put your baby on his belly to sleep.

jeffsjayme · July 2012

I love doctors and the advice they give -- I really do. But at the end of the day, YOU are the mom. Decide if you want to follow your doc's advice or do something different.

We tummy sleep and have since week 2. And I am perfectly okay with it. Doesn't mean you have to, just that you're not alone if you decide to.

The risk of an individual baby dying from SIDS is unknown, so we can't really say "Baby X's risk of SIDS goes up/down if they sleep on their tummy/back." They do know that:
-Before 1992's"Back to Sleep" campaign, 5,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
-Since then, about 3,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
So we could say that the overall SIDS rate went down about 40%, but that doesn't mean that an individual baby's chances goes down 40% if they back sleep. In fact:
-In 1992, there were 4,084,000 births. If 5,000 died of SIDS, that's .122% of babies that died of SIDS.
-In 2009, there were 4,131,019 births. If 3,000 died of SIDS, that's .0726% of babies that died of SIDS.
Either way, your odds aren't significantly different. They aren't even 1/20 of 1%! You COULD say that a babies odds of SIDS went down .0494% if they slept on their back. But that assumes that every baby's odds are the same, which they aren't. Boy babies are more likely. African American babies are more likely. Babies of smokers are more likely.

According to the government, there aren't even any symptoms of SIDS. No signs of suffering, so being in the same room as your LO as they tummy sleep isn't likely to help. Might make you feel better, but isn't likely affecting the outcome.

I'm not saying ignore the literature or anything - definitely do what you can to prevent SIDS. I wouldn't back sleep an African American boy baby covered in blankets in a smoke filled room. It's all about weighing the risks and deciding for yourself.
https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005067.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/upload/PART_II.pdf

imimahoney · July 2012

jeffsjayme:
I love doctors and the advice they give -- I really do. But at the end of the day, YOU are the mom. Decide if you want to follow your doc's advice or do something different.

We tummy sleep and have since week 2. And I am perfectly okay with it. Doesn't mean you have to, just that you're not alone if you decide to.

The risk of an individual baby dying from SIDS is unknown, so we can't really say "Baby X's risk of SIDS goes up/down if they sleep on their tummy/back." They do know that:
-Before 1992's"Back to Sleep" campaign, 5,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
-Since then, about 3,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
So we could say that the overall SIDS rate went down about 40%, but that doesn't mean that an individual baby's chances goes down 40% if they back sleep. In fact:
-In 1992, there were 4,084,000 births. If 5,000 died of SIDS, that's .122% of babies that died of SIDS.
-In 2009, there were 4,131,019 births. If 3,000 died of SIDS, that's .0726% of babies that died of SIDS.
Either way, your odds aren't significantly different. They aren't even 1/20 of 1%! You COULD say that a babies odds of SIDS went down .0494% if they slept on their back. But that assumes that every baby's odds are the same, which they aren't. Boy babies are more likely. African American babies are more likely. Babies of smokers are more likely.

According to the government, there aren't even any symptoms of SIDS. No signs of suffering, so being in the same room as your LO as they tummy sleep isn't likely to help. Might make you feel better, but isn't likely affecting the outcome.

I'm not saying ignore the literature or anything - definitely do what you can to prevent SIDS. I wouldn't back sleep an African American boy baby covered in blankets in a smoke filled room. It's all about weighing the risks and deciding for yourself.
https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005067.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/upload/PART_II.pdf

Of course each baby is different but seriously, why on earth would you do something that could possibly kill your baby. Sorry pp, but that is terrible advice. Not only is SIDS something to worry about also is plain old suffocation.

I ditto the advice of a tight swaddle and the rock and play. It really helped my son sleep well.

AGangstead · July 2012

In the past people were told to have their babies sleep on their stomach. In the end you are the mom and it is up to you. If the baby is in the room with you the risk of SIDS goes way down. You need to do the research and decide what you are comfortable with, as long as you are well informed no one should be judging you or making you feel like a bad mother because of your choices.

k8edgerton · July 2012

Do you swaddle when you are putting your LO down on their back?

I would never let my baby sleep on their stomach... I think the reason mine goes down easily on her back is that she doesn't know any different. We didn't form bad habits by putting her on her stomach therefore she doesn't know anything else.

jennyann28 · July 2012

morethancottoncandy:
JulesFo:
morethancottoncandy:
I'm not sure what would possess you to put him on his belly to sleep knowing the risks. However, you should also know that sleeping in the boppy pillow is absolutely not recommended either as it also increases the SIDS risk.
Maybe try a Rock N Play. He might be more comfortable in a slightly elevated position.

Ditto the warning on the Boppy. Also, have you tried swaddling snugly? Laying on the tummy prevents them from flailing so perhaps that's what is causing the sleep issue. Swaddling and the RnP might help him feel secure
This too and I'll just add on to this also, you really should read some books. Try Happiest Baby on the Block or Baby Whisperer, as they have some pretty good tricks for comforting a crying baby.
Please, please, please do not put your baby on his belly to sleep.

I agree with this. I mean, there is a GIANT tag on the Boppy saying not to let your child sleep in it. Plus, in order for your child to sleep in your bed with you, you need to follow safe sleep practices (which includes no pillows). OP, it sounds like you really need to educate yourself on infant care. I say that not to be mean or snarky at all, rather it seems your problem stems from a lack of education.

acookie08 · July 2012

Our little one absolutely loves sleeping in his My little Lamb swing at night. If the rock n play doesn't work, maybe try this.

PregoPuma · July 2012

Swaddle, or try a Swaddle Me if youre not good at swaddling. Swaddle Me wraps are only about $10! FP Rock n Play is amazing! My DS loves it and helps w his reflux! Make sure the room is not too hot or too cold. Infants like 68-70 degrees. Try a White Noise Machine for background noise or find a "fuzzy white noise station" on the radio and turn it on. Try a Binkie if the sucking sensation helps soothe him. Lastly, remember this is a change for your LO and infants like routine. Dont give up because it may take a week or two for your LO to make the adustment! GL

jeffsjayme · July 2012

imimahoney:
jeffsjayme:

I love doctors and the advice they give -- I really do. But at the end of the day, YOU are the mom. Decide if you want to follow your doc's advice or do something different.

We tummy sleep and have since week 2. And I am perfectly okay with it. Doesn't mean you have to, just that you're not alone if you decide to.

The risk of an individual baby dying from SIDS is unknown, so we can't really say "Baby X's risk of SIDS goes up/down if they sleep on their tummy/back." They do know that:
-Before 1992's"Back to Sleep" campaign, 5,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
-Since then, about 3,000ish babies died of SIDS each year.
So we could say that the overall SIDS rate went down about 40%, but that doesn't mean that an individual baby's chances goes down 40% if they back sleep. In fact:
-In 1992, there were 4,084,000 births. If 5,000 died of SIDS, that's .122% of babies that died of SIDS.
-In 2009, there were 4,131,019 births. If 3,000 died of SIDS, that's .0726% of babies that died of SIDS.
Either way, your odds aren't significantly different. They aren't even 1/20 of 1%! You COULD say that a babies odds of SIDS went down .0494% if they slept on their back. But that assumes that every baby's odds are the same, which they aren't. Boy babies are more likely. African American babies are more likely. Babies of smokers are more likely.

According to the government, there aren't even any symptoms of SIDS. No signs of suffering, so being in the same room as your LO as they tummy sleep isn't likely to help. Might make you feel better, but isn't likely affecting the outcome.

I'm not saying ignore the literature or anything - definitely do what you can to prevent SIDS. I wouldn't back sleep an African American boy baby covered in blankets in a smoke filled room. It's all about weighing the risks and deciding for yourself.
https://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005067.html
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/upload/PART_II.pdf

Of course each baby is different but seriously, why on earth would you do something that could possibly kill your baby. Sorry pp, but that is terrible advice. Not only is SIDS something to worry about also is plain old suffocation.

I ditto the advice of a tight swaddle and the rock and play. It really helped my son sleep well.

Riding in a car could kill your baby.

Taking him a daycare or a church nursery where other kids have diseases that they can communicate could kill your baby.

Not vaccinating your baby could kill him if he gets exposed to something that if vaccinated, he could've handled.

Vaccinating your baby could kill him, if he has a major allergic reaction to the vaccination.

There is a risk to absolutely everything you do. Everything. You research the risk. You make a choice. You hope it's the best one. Plenty of babies die when sleeping on their backs too. You never eliminate risks. You just can't. For ME, I don't see the risk of SIDS as significant to force to me to back sleep. For ME, I don't see a major difference in the risk of SIDS when sleeping on back vs. sleeping on tummy. I looked at the facts. I weighed the risks. I made a choice. That isn't terrible advice.

JWhite1517 · July 2012

I have never put my LO on her tummy to sleep so I can't offer too much advice on how to get him used to the change, but I can say that my LO is a great sleeper and we swaddle and use the rock n play. I highly recommend it because it also has the baby sleep at an incline which also helps reduce risk of SIDS. But swaddling is also big for my LO, whenever I have a hard time getting her to go to sleep swaddling definitely works.

As hard as it might be over time I am sure he will get used to sleeping on his back, and the difficulty is worth the vastly decreased risk of SIDS that comes with sleeping on his back.

easjer05 · July 2012

My kid is a side sleeper and would probably tummy sleep if we let her. She hates being on her back (and it has NOTHING to do with putting her any other way - we started her on her back). She hated swaddles. What helped was having her at an incline, rather than flat - she went into her bouncer for nights.

As for why anyone would consider it - because many of us were set on our stomachs to sleep without ill effect? Because our children sleep better that way? It's not completely insane, for reasons that were outlined earlier.

I personally wouldn't put DD down on her stomach or let her sleep on her stomach while I was not right there watching her until she is able to roll over.

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