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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Newborn won't sleep on her back

5 replies

Msbluesky32 · 24/04/2013 13:09

I have no idea where to put this, I'm guessing its behaviour...probably wrong.

My 2 wk old DD refuses to sleep on her back and always ends up on her right side. I wake in the night constantly worrying about SIDS. I've tried turning her but she always ends up on her side again. Is there anything I can do other than turn her on her back again? She was a ventouse delivery and had quite a lot of bruising on the crown of her head so I'm assuming its still quite tender, hence the side sleeping.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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Goldmandra · 24/04/2013 13:18

You know what? SIDS is a tiny risk and there is a set of strategies you can use to reduce the risk further. Sleeping on their back is one of them.

If you're not overheating her, smoking over her, etc, i.e. following all the other advice you should perhaps let this one go. You certainly can't stay awake all night turning her back because you'd end up putting her at much greater risk by being exhausted and falling asleep on the sofa with her or similar.

There are special mats with rolls at the side which you can get to stop them rolling over but I don't feel comfortable about them. Perhaps you can ask your HV about them and whether they are safe or helpful?

In the meantime you're probably putting her at greater risk by putting her in the car than by letting her sleep on her side if she is choosing to do so.

Original poster

Msbluesky32 · 26/04/2013 16:14

Thanks gold no neither of us smoke and we are careful to follow the advice. I will ask about the pillow

OP posts:

lollipoppi · 27/04/2013 08:27

Hello, my DD was exactly the same, I I raised my concerns with the HV who basically gave me a good telling off rather than offer any advise!
DD slept on her front for about 7 weeks which was a big worry but it was the only way she would sleep.

Anyway, turns out she had reflux, was put on baby gaviscon and now sleeps through the night on her back x

bumpitybumpbump · 27/04/2013 22:27

According to my maternity nurse most babies hate sleeping on their backs, so my 5 week old sleeps swaddled on her side with blankets tucked tightlybover her so she can't really roll on to her front. In ther morning she is mostly still on her side or on her back! Quotepften before i had the comfort the mayernity nurse offered, i would put dd on her side and when she was in deep sleep move her lower body so it was flat but her torso and head were still slightly sideways, and then tuck blankets tightly so her lower body was anchored flat so if she did wriggle she wouldn't end up on her front. I generally found she stayed asleep and then I could sleep without worrying. Good luck!

Snowflakepie · 29/04/2013 16:13

Not sure if it helps but my DD would never settle on her back and would cry nonstop anytime we laid her down. Turned out it was silent reflux for her too. You don't mention if your baby has trouble with sleeping or if it is just the position she chooses. As we had none of the other risk factors for SIDS, the hv suggested we put her on her tummy to sleep from about 7 weeks and it did help a lot, other than freaking me out with worry until she was able to roll herself anyway. She is still a tummy sleeper now at age 3. If she sleeps well and seems comfy, don't worry. You could always try a cushion to stop her rolling but if it hurts due to the bruising then she will just be more distressed. Keep covers etc away from her head and face, if she gets herself onto her side then she won't get tangled up in them. Good luck!

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