Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Mom Question

To all my mom friends, I need your advice.

Owen hasn't done very well taking naps in his bassinet or crib. When he's completely asleep we can put him in there but he often wakes up soon after. Of course all this time he's been put down on his back.

This morning after I put him down for a nap in his crib he woke up about 5 minutes later crying. He was arching his back and was on his side, so against my better judgement I rolled him on his stomach. Boom, he was asleep. Has been for half an hour.

I was trying to avoid having him sleep on his tummy because of the obvious risks you hear about, sids and whatnot. But it seems he will sleep so much better. Hmm. So, moms, what was your experience with this? Should I allow him to sleep on his tummy or not?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

5 comments:

Tara said...

I'm sure your not asking me as you already know how my kids slept...

But He wasn't a premie, he nurses, don't throw a lot of loose blankets in there and God's Sovereign :-)

Simple Joys said...

Another solution is to swaddle him. The reason they sleep so much better on their tummy is that they don't "startle" themselves awake. If you do have him sleep on his tummy keep a fan going in the room - that keeps the air circulating and is supposed to minimize the incidence of SIDS, which is why they suggest you do not have small babies sleep on their backs.
~Colene

Heather@Cultivated Lives said...

I cheated a couple of times when they were really little and did a couple tummy naps, but I didn't feel comfortable doing that at night, since I couldn't keep an eye on them then...

Have you tried one of those swaddling blankets yet? I love the one's with velcro so you can get it really tight. Two of mine were burrito babies. It was the only way for them to sleep for long periods of time. :)

I'll be praying that God will give you wisdom and insight into this beautiful son of yours.

becky* said...

Try it yourself :) Lay flat on your back for a half hour. Then lay on your stomach all curled up with your butt in the air :) I think you can figure out which is more comfy, haha. I agree with Tara of corse but you have to go with motherly instinct, whatever lets you sleep better at night :) Paying for ya....

Ms. Beadle said...

When my boys were little, we were SUPPOSED to have them sleep on their tummy, so they didn't spit up and choke and aspirate it. As long as there was no bedding blocking their little noses, they were fine. The gentle pressure against their tummy relieves gas, and they always turn their head to the side anyway. Another trick I WISH I would have thought of... put the heating pad on WARM in the crib until you are ready to put him in it. Then remove the heating pad. If you get up to nurse him, putting him back onto a warm spot may help him keep right on sleeping. I would feed Jeff, and he would fall asleep. As soon as he touched the crib, he was awake and crying. Made me want to scream!!! Do what you think is best, and don't listen to advice if you think it's bad! Love you guys.