Baby Only Sleeps in Car Seat!!

My kids are 30, 27 and 25. They ALL slept on their tummies or sides from day one. According to the "new" sleep rules she is old enough to sleep on her tummy or her side. You might try wrapping her up tight and putting her on her side in bed with her back against the side of the crib. You didn't create a bad habit, you just did what worked for you and your baby so you could all get some sleep. If none of the suggestions from all these wonderful mamas works, let her sleep in her carseat, who cares? She will get it at some point

K.; first of all, we all get tired and we all can sleep when tired for the most part, and a ten minute nap may be all she needs during the day i had a son who did not take naps well, dont give them one if its not needed for the most part the nap is for us to rejuvenate ourselves, while they are down, its ok to lay her in the crip at night when good and tired, she should go to sleep it may be tough first few days but be consistant, consistancy is the key, hold firm to what you need to do, either hope for the best, and have a good day D. s

Hi,
I know this sound kind of strange, but your baby doesn't have reflux? Does she?? The only reason I ask is because if she does have reflux it is extremely painful to sleep flat (either on the back or stomach, it does not matter, flat is flat). So the car seat might be at enough of an angle to confort her.
Please don't just think it is a bad habit, first ask your doctor about any physical reasons...before you make her suffer.
I hope this helps you, I don't mean to scare you. But sometimes there is a medical reason as to why a little won't sleep flat. We didn't find out until my son was 3 1/2 months old and then it took 3 years before he slept threw the night. I just don't want a little one to suffer. If any questions, ask......but please check with your doctor, it's a quick phone call and a few questions. Good Luck!!
Lisa Jo

PLEASE don't listen to the people telling you to let your baby "cry it out"..... Do research on that. Its just not human nature, babies cry for a reason. Thats what parents are for, to soothe them and respond to their needs :)
Think how they must feel laying there crying, not knowing whether mommy/daddy fell off the face of the earth or not - and getting no response! ugh, i hate that method so bad.
Good Luck in what you decide, do what feels "right" :)
I have an almost 7 month old daughter, and until she was around 4 1/2 months she slept in her swing (cradle type) most of the time! And I say, oh well, if she was sleeping that way, who cares, lol... Then I started putting her in her crib with a wedge to keep her on her side and she did pretty good. She also didn't really like being flat on her back either. Once she was rolling really well I started just putting her in there kinda cocked up on her side a little and I let her find her comfortable position :) She still isn't the best sleeper but its getting better :) Hang in there

This is so funny...we are going through the same thing! Our doc suggested we put our son in his car seat to sleep because he had his days and nights mixed up. He is now 3.5 months and we put him in his crib to sleep. He will sleep, but not nearly as good as he did in his car seat. Doc suggested we MUST let him just cry it out and he will get use to it within a week. We started this past Tuesday and every night he is sleeping a little more. Getting him to fall asleep is a whole different issue...he has cried to 40 mins straight and we DO NOT go in the room, we just let him cry until he falls asleep. It is SO hard as a mom, but I know it will be for the best. Good luck to you and if you need any support (or someone to tell you are doing the right thing by letting her cry), email me!

One of my grandkids slept in a swing for months and months. I wouldn't worry about it. I don't think it could be unsafe. I certainly wouldn 't let her cry it out - how frightening for her. Just work on this very gently and gradually and lovingly. Not to worry!

Hi K., By 5 months of age your baby can sleep on her stomach. Let her lay in the crib what ever way she is comfortable. Usually by 4 months of age they are rolling over and sleep in many different positions. No worry, take her from the car seat when she is asleep and lay her in the crib on her belly with legs tucked up under. She should do fine. M.

"Secrets of the baby whisperer" - Best book ever. It can fix all those problems in a matter of days and in a very loving way.

My oldest child did the same thing. We had to take her for a ride for her to go to sleep.
The way we broke it was letting her cry herself to sleep..it took a few nights...it will be hard for you. but she will ok.
It is best in the long run...You can also try to play soft music in her room to try to keep her calm..

J.

My daughter would only sleep on her stomach. I know they tell you that you shouldn't let them but your Daughter should be rolling over by now anyway or close to I think (I don't remember when exactly they start rolling over) So sleeping on her belly shouldn't be to much of a problem. But it is a desicion you have to be comfortable with.

Have you tried putting the baby on the belly? I know everyone one says not to but mine all sleep better on bellies. Or you can keep putting the babyon the back and after a week or so the baby should get use to it.

Sorry K. - the sleepless nights will be nothing compared to the harm you can cause to your baby by allowing her to sleep in a carseat. It will be challenging at first, but remember that sleepless nights will only be temporary. Try a soothing bedtime routine -a bath, massage, a story, some soothing music, then lights out with maybe a soother & snuggly! She'll eventually catch on that this is the way it's going to be & that you're not backing down...stay strong! Check out the ferber method - it worked wonders for my children! Good luck...

My son slept best in his car seat until he was about a year because of reflux. It's is worth checking into. And perhaps since your baby is actually sleeping, sleeping in a car seat isn't that big of a deal. Kids do strange things, you know? If everyone is happy, it might not be worth changing it.

Really is it that big of a deal. She will be just fine. I wonder if she has reflux. My daughter slept in her swing until she was 6 months old.
I have even seen swings being sold that hold the car seat. I have only seen one once, but, they must be out there.
Good luck. Happy Sleeping.

K. ~
As a nurse, can I tell you that it really is a big deal? Sorry...but sleeping in a carseat can increase the risk of SIDS. It's the angle of the neck while sleeping in a carseat. You need to but her in her crib and maybe let her cry it out. I know it's hard...don't let her cry longer than half an hour...but you need to do it for your baby's health.
D.

Maybe you could transition first to a bouncy seat or swing and then try the crib? She may like the feeling of being surrounded by the seat. Also you might want to try a sleep sack tucked tightly around her (I would say swaddle but she's too old for that). I would also limit the amount of time she is in the seat for anything other than sleep or car (transfer to a stroller at the store, don't let her sit in it awake at home). I think too much time in the seat is not a good idea!