3 week old wants to sleep on her side

[skiingcat]

I have a 3 week old who really dislikes their Moses basket and will only settle for an hour in it before waking however will sleep for hours on me. I have discovered that she likes to sleep on her side and will sleep for 3 hours in the Moses basket like this. Obviously she should be sleeping on her back. I spoke to the hv who said it was up to me. Anyone experienced similar - did you just let them sleep on your side as otherwise she is overtired. Also is there a reason they prefer to sleep on their side other than comfort?

[FATEdestiny]

Have you tried swaddling, this may help? Also the sleepyhead mattress topper is helpful I understand.

babies sleeping on their backs, as I am sure you know, is the single most significant factor in reducing SIDS.

Whilst choosing to disregard SIDS recommendations is your prerogative, as you HV says, it should be done as a managed risk. Many people asses the SIDS risks and choose to not follow one or more aspects.

The factsheet here is useful to asses the risks yourself:

www.lullabytrust.org.uk/back-to-sleep

I understand you can buy an Angelcare monitor which sounds an alarm if baby stops breathing. This can help parents of front and side sleepers feel safer.

[MammaFett]

DD was like this. I used to let her fall asleep on her side (while watching and checking her) and then do the arm drop to make sure she was asleep, then I'd roll her onto her back. She only did this in her moses basket though. I asked my HV if it was okay to do this and she said yes, as long as I watch her while she's on her side. She's now 6 months and always sleeps on her side. Hope that helps.

[purplemurple1]

My first dc always slept on his side and would just roll back over if you tried to put him on his back. This was because he was so tightly in the foetal position he just didn't balance on his back.
I was told this was fine provided he was in large enough cot not to be pressed against the sides. Tbh there really wasn't another option.

[MeltchettsLovelyMoustache]

DS was the same as I would let him fall asleep like that then move him. He wasn't able to roll back. He's 17 weeks now and sleeps on his back.

[ohthegoats]

Mine slept on her side in a Sleepyhead from about 10 days/2 weeks. I jammed her in with teddy bears. She sleeps on her side or her front now (8 months).