Baby wants to sleep on stomach

My LO is 5 months old and just started sleeping in her crib. When she first falls asleep for the night, I lay her on her back and she sleeps like this for about an hour or two. However, EVERY single night after about an hour, she rolls right onto her stomach and wants to sleep like this. It scares me because she doesn't really turn her head to the side, so her face is down on the mattress. SOMETIMES she does slightly move her head so that half of her face is to the side and her nose is up and she can breathe. I'm constantly getting up and running into her room to lay her on her back again until I just eventually bring her back to our bedroom and put her in the RNP. She wears a sleep sack/swaddle (arms out) and there is nothing else is in the crib with her. It freaks me out that she doesn't turn her head completely to the side when she rolls onto her stomach. The pediatrician said back is best but she should be okay sleeping on her stomach. I was like.... . She's been rolling on her belly since 4 months but hasn't really mastered rolling from belly to back quite yet. I've seen her do that maybe twice during tummy time. Anyone else have this problem? She's a big baby so she's starting to outgrow the RNP for night time sleep but I'm thinking maybe I should let her sleep in RNP a little longer until she learns to roll onto her back better?? I do have the angel movement monitor, so this gives me a little peace of mind. Any advice/help is appreciated. TIA

Message edited 4/21/2013 10:38:56 PM.

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

When this started happening I had many sleepless nights of going in to turn her back only to have her keep rolling onto her belly again. Everyone told me to leave her and stop freaking out. I also had a motion monitor. Took some time to let go but in a couple of weeks she was able to roll back over. She prefers her stomach and would eventually just always roll right over. Completely normal at that age. .

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

I am pretty sure my ds did this before 5 months. I think I posted about it. Ped said to leave him as he will just rollover again so that is my only advice! Good luck!

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

This used to freak me out too. My ped said as long as DS can hold his head up, he can move it to breathe better. Still didn't make me feel any better & I didn't sleep very well for a week.

Now all he does is sleep on the side of his face with his butt up in the air.

Baby wants to sleep on stomach

My ped told me to leave him when my oldest did this...he is now 3 and 1/2 years old, still sleeps on his stomach. As long as the can turn there head they are fine is what everyone told me.

Baby wants to sleep on stomach

DS is also 5 months and does the same thing! I'm constantly checking on him. If it gives you piece of mind, try buying the Angelcare sensor.

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

My one DD does this. She sleeps in the fleece sleep sack unswaddled and I shove rolled up A and A blankets on her sides so she cant roll. I found her on her belly with her head turned once but i didnt hear her fuss like she normally does and she also puts her face down at times. My other DD rolls to her side. She has rolled belly to back but she forgot how and doesnt usually do it. Sometimes I put the rolled blankets under the sheet protector.

Baby wants to sleep on stomach

Once a baby can put themselves on their stomach you can leave them like that. DS started at 4 months.

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

I was really nervous when DD first started sleeping on her tummy too. But, I agree that if she is strong enough to get onto her tummy, she is strong enough to get herself out of trouble if need be. As far as her being face down, I know it's unsettling, but think of how many times she has probably slept on you with her face smushed against you. She will start rolling the other way soon too. She'll be ok!

Baby wants to sleep on stomach

Dd did this too. Seems common although I was nervous. Now at 7 months she still does it and is sttn so I guess that is how she is comfy

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

Baby wants to sleep on stomach

One of mine started doing this at 4 months. It was so terrifying. Pediatrician told me the same that yours told you that it was ok if they were doing it by themselves. I didn't believe that at all. She also slept completely face down, almost all the time. Totally freaked me out. I spent many many nights sleeping with her in my arms and checking on her all night long when she was in her crib. I stopped using sleep sacks, I got paranoid it would get twisted around her legs and not let her move herself around. I switched to feety PJs when she started flipping over.

Do whatever you need to do to keep your sanity. Hold in there, keep counting down the weeks. 6 months will come before you know it. For me that was my turning point.

Re: Baby wants to sleep on stomach

DD turned 4 months yesterday, and she just started flipping onto her stomach to sleep Friday night. It scares me so much! I woke up 3x last night just to check that her head was turned.

She also started sticking her legs and arms through the crib slats, and then getting stuck.

I cannot wait until she passes this stage!