Settling baby on his back

[mylittletwins]

I am a mother of 6 week old twin boys, i have started to put them on their tummys through out the day to help them sleep as i have noticed that they are having trouble falling asleep on there backs, every time i put them in the cot they put there arms up and start screaming. The only time this dosent happen is when they are really tired. I am having to pick them up and put them on their tummys during the day and at night time co-sleep.

Is there any way i can get them to sleep on their backs without them constantly crying and feeling scared. I have tried soothing them, putting one hand on their shoulder and patting their backs, humming to them and rocking them.

Any other ideas?

[BIANCA-mummy of 2]

Maybe you can try putting them in the pram and pushing them until they fall asleep, then try and sneak them into their cot? I havnt got many ideas for this one sorry I couldnt help more but its worth the shot hope all goes well :)

[veve]

sorry hon ... no answers here either..

but Jack spends all his day time naps on his tummy (where we can watch him) - and at night he usually settles either in my arms or on his tummy... and then once asleep I flip him over ... (which at times is frustrating as I want to go to bed too!!!)
My CHN liked the fact that Jack tummy sleeps during the day - and I kinda figure it reduces the chance of him getting a flat spot on his head..

good luck!!!
xx

[cobysmummy]

Coby always sleeps on his tummy and has since he was 1 month old.. i know this is frowned upon but he sleeps longer and better on his tummy... i had no choice but to let him sleep on his tummy or have no sleep at all!!
as they get older they roll and move up and down and sideways anyway!!

[madvoice]

From 6 weeks of age my daughter has slept on her tummy. I make sure that there are no cot bumpers or toys in her cot. She flat out REFUSED to sleep on her back. It was so bad that she was awake for almost 24 hours straight. Now that she is 8 1/2 months old, I can put her in her cot and she can choose how she wants to sleep (she's a speed crawler and can pull herself up on things not). If it works for you, and you feel comfortable doing so, don't feel bad. I know it goes against SIDS advice but do what YOU feel is right.

[Foxy]

Hi mylittletwins,

Do you wrap the little ones for sleeping?

If not, maybe this is something you could try. I know it's quite hot now, but perhaps you could try some thin muslin wraps with bubs only having a nappy &/or singlet on.

You could try wrapping first, and then one of your other techniques such as rocking or patting. Hopefully this will calm them enough to be able to fall asleep.

Good Luck :)

[Crazy Monkey]

Hi,

I would try wrapping like Shelbyville suggested... My DS wont sleep unless heis wrapped, his arms keep him awake as he is fighting his sleep...

I also noticed that before DS was diagnosed with Reflux, he wouldn't settle on his back... But once we started treating reflux and raised the head end of his bassinet/cot, he slept better (he has never been a great daytime sleeper)

Good luck and welcome to BubHub

[Baby Girl]

Have you tried sleeping them on their sides. Both my girls preferred to sleep on their tummies but we came to a happy compromise on the side. I used to wrap them and then put them on the side with a rolled up nappy in front of their belly to stop them rolling onto their belly. Once they fell asleep they would usually roll onto their backs and not even realise. Once I stopped wrapping them (between 3 - 4 months) I would put them on their back and they would roll onto their belly or side most of the time.

Good luck.

[bubbles28]

My DS has slept on his tummy since he was about 4 weeks as he just straight out refused to sleep on his back, he would just scream.
At first I was really worried about the whole SIDS thing, and couldn't sleep properly at night.
I then went and bought a movement monitor and it was the best $150 i've spent. I now get peace of mind at night while my beautiful Ds sleeps peacefully.
I think if a baby is a "tummy slepper" it is very hard to get them to sleep happily on their backs.
If I was you I would invest in a "movement monitor"

[reAllytee]

I too had a bubs who hated sleeping on his back.
I slept him on his side using a safe & sound sleeper my sister had for my nephew but i do believe you can still buy them from Target but as schmell said using a rolled up nappy also does a good job & you can always use a bit of fabric so you make a little unit using one rolled up at the tummy & one at the back.
Once bubs started rolling around i stopped using it & he quite happily slept on his back he now rolls around everywhere so will sleep on his side back tummy or even up on his knees & face in a fetal position ( looks awful but he seems to like it heh ) .
But like others have suggested i would try wrapping also as this tends to soothe them my bubs resisted when we got home from hospital but after a few days of persisting as the midwife who came out to the house said it could take time he wouldnt sleep any other way.
Just do what is right for you as your the only one who knows your bubs the best.
Yes be aware of SIDS but use what is said as a guideline to what is best for you & bubs to get some sleep.