My baby is almost 5 Weeks old, and just won't settle unless he's on his tummy. I've been sleeping him on my chestbut it's becoming impossible to get anything done as he won't let me put him on his back. Im a single mum of 2 other kids, 2 and almost 4 (neither had this problem) so I need to be able to care for them as well as my bub, this makes it impossible to stay sitting or laying with bub on me. Baby will settle on my chest fine after feed, burp, nappy change etc(so he isn't windy or hungry or anything else) but as I try to put him in his crib or anywhere on is back he wakes straight up and is extremely unsettled. I let him have plenty of awake tummy time, and naps on his tummy while I'm watching and he's fine then, he just hates being on his back to sleep. My question is has anyone had this problem with their baby and what can I do? I need advice asap as my other kids need care too and having a screaming baby because I can't watch while he's on his tummy is horrible for the whole house but mostly baby, so I need to find a solution and quick. Thanks!
7 Replies
I have a 6 week old that loves sleeping on his tummy too. Fine at night sleeping on his back but during the day he won't have a bar of it! I've started leaving him to sleep on his tummy in his bassinet now that he can lift his head up and just check on him regularly. Otherwise he's in the baby carrier and happy to sleep in there and I at least have 2 hands free
Does he have reflux?
Put him in a baby carrier and do everything with him strapped to you :)
I often had my babies sleep on their bellies during the day. Do you have a bassinet? Bring it in the lounge/living area so he can nap on his belly and just check on him every time you go past.
Or baby carrier when you need to be on the go.
Sounds like he might have reflux - this is a really common issue with reflux bubs. You could consider popping bub in a carrier and having sleeps in them so you can still do stuff. Or try some reflux tips like raising the head end of the cot.
My boy used to only like being on my chest, in my arms or on his side he had reflux, I ended up having to give up breastfeeding early due to supply issues and put him on Novolac Reflux and he slept on his side when in the bassinet i used all measures possible to make sure he wouldnt accidentally roll (sleep positioner and rolled up towels etc) I also elevated the top end of the mattress ever so slightly to help the milk stay down while hes lying down, he does kind of sound like he might have reflux issues from what you are describing. A baby carrier like the others have suggested will probably help during the day but if you want him to sleep in his bassinet or cot maybe try him on his side with a positioner (i think its left side as thats the way the stomach tips from memory will have to check that) you can get some medication from the dr for reflux but i know mine was not willing to give my son anything for it as they tend to grow out of it.
Wear him