Baby Nightmare?? Baby Sleeping on His Tummy

Updated on August 02, 2011
T.O. asks from San Leandro, CA
11 answers

My 7 month old slept in his pack and play until last week..we finally purchased his crib.. well he's not a very good sleeper but since we got the crib its been getting worse..he tosses and turns all the time. Well last night we didn't sleep at all.. he was moaning and groning till I finally got him out the crib and woke him up. We got really scared it looked like he had a nigtmare, I put him back t sleep with us in the bed and he slept for a lil but than started doing the same thing. So my question is could he have nightmares or could this be something else..another question.... is it bad for babies to sleep upside down? He has been turning for a couple of days he wants to sleep like this we get really worried.. and flip him back.. but again we find him like that at times..thanks a lot fo any advice I get:)

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J.C.

answers from New York on

My daughter staarted sleeping on her tummy around three months. I asked the Dr. and he said it is best for her to sleep on her back and if I can flip her without waking her - then do it. If she wakes, forget it. So if I flipper her, she would roll back over in about 15 minutes. So I forgot it.

I'd put him back in the pack n play - whatever works.

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D.B.

answers from Charlotte on

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1 mom found this helpful

M.M.

answers from Chicago on

Leave him be!
When they learn to flip over and start sleeping on their tummies, it takes awhile to learn how to get comfortable with them.

Give him a week and he'll figure it out.

If you keep going in and flipping him back, you're actually hindering him. It's perfectly safe for him to sleep on his tummy as soon as he's able to turn over himself.

1 mom found this helpful

R.B.

answers from La Crosse on

my youngest daughter slept in a pack in play for the first part of her being a baby until my son was old enough to be moved out of the crib. When we tried to move her to the crib she hated it!!! We put her back into the pack n play and she was fine. I think its because that's where she was use to. ( She also has been a horrible sleeper)

As far as the sleeping on the belly. All 5 of mine have slept on thier bellies since coming home from the hospital. That is the only way they would sleep. If he is rolling on to his belly and is able to roll from his belly to back on his own, I would let him sleep how he is comfortable.

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L.A.

answers from New York on

speak with your pediatrician about "night terrors." these are different from nightmares. Your little one might have these.

We thought our guy was having trouble sleeping, because he'd toss, and turn, and make noise, and yell. Turns out he's sleeping the entire while, giving us a heart attack, and absolutely oblivious to what he's up to.

it isn't known what causes them, its thought to do with transitioning badly between sleep cycles. apparently, better napping during the day, is thought to help.

good luck.

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V.T.

answers from Dallas on

My daughter was a stomach sleeper at 4 months when she figured out how to roll over. At first I freaked out, but everyone is right, once they know how to roll over the risk significantly decreases and he should be strong enough to move his head. Also, my daughter slept along side the sides of the pack n play and when she moved to the crib she didn't like the feelings of the bars. I would suggest a bumper pad. They make breathable ones. This may help with comfort. My daughter is 2 1/2 and still sleeps along side the crib.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi T.,

Is your little one's crib new? If it is, the mattress is probably still outgassing the synthetic chemicals it is made of (unless of course you bought an organic cotton one that most of use can't afford :). These chemicals are terribly dangerous and are linked to SIDS as is chlorine bleach that is used to disinfect bedding. If it is new, let the mattress sit outside for a couple of weeks on a covered porch or carport. If it's made in China, you may need to let it sit out a little longer. Also Urine mixed with some of these chemicals make it worse so make sure baby doesnt leak a lot. Nightmares and night terrors can be provoked by neurological stimuli like the toxicities in laundry supplies and new bedding and the multiple combinations of chemicals.

The reason that many think that tummy sleeping is dangerous is because the baby's face is directly in the mattress and laundry detergent. These two things can also contraindicate like other chemicals, e.g. pharmaceuticals, and mix a deadly cocktail. Not all little ones know to move their faces if they are in respiratory distress.

If you use non toxic laundry products (non toxic for humans not just the environment) and your mattress has outgassed most of the chemicals already, your little one should stop having nightmares/terrors. Detoxing your home can be simple and very inexpensive. Most people think it is costly and it can be if you don't know exactly how to shop. My house has been detoxed for 7 years now and my household budget/spending is less than it was before we detoxed.

Hope this helps!

M.

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

Once kids can roll over they get to sleep however they want. Good grief, are you staying up all night turning him back over? The back to sleep in for newborns up to the age they turn themselves over. Take it easy on yourself sweetie. He is going to be a tummy sleeper.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

I'm a little confused on one area. You're putting your baby to sleep on his back, and he flips over onto his tummy? A person does not sleep "upside down". Let him sleep in whatever position he wants to. There's no need to flip him back.

Yes, it is possible that your child is having nightmares. However, it appears that he is just trying to get used to his new crib and to find a comfortable sleeping position.

M.P.

answers from Sacramento on

He should be fine sleeping on his tummy. If he can roll over to get there, then leave him. All 3 of my girls slept on their tummy from the get go - that is the only way that they would sleep. My Dr. said it was fine. He said to put the however it is that they will sleep, so that is what I did. They are all just fine!

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S.B.

answers from Chicago on

Babies do dream, even as early as before they are born. They are learning and seeing so much everyday, their brains need to process it all and they do it through dreaming. I remember going to my son who was crying in his sleep, just a little whimper, but he was still fast asleep. I starting doing some reading and that's what I found out. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Since your baby is strong enough to roll over, he could likely roll back onto his back if he needs to. Just make sure that there is nothing near him that could suffocate him, like a pillow or a soft blanket or toy. You can keep flipping him back over if you want, but as you see, it's a futile attempt because he will get in his comfy position again :) I wouldn't let him sleep on his tummy in your bed though, the mattress is too soft and he might get stuck and not be able to flip himself back over.

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