Naptime Issues

Hmmm, well you know I am sure, that sleeping on the back or side is the best right and tummy sleeping is linked wit SIDS? That is the only thing I would worry about. Can she roll over now? If so, she should be ok, but if she cant, you might want to try something else. I would suggest swaddling her still during the day. It will not hurt her and be to much for her. She obviously really likes it and it makes her feel more secure. We swaddled ours during naps and nighttime sleeping all the time until they became to mobil for that. I hope this helps you.

S. Bailey CLD
Aurora
www.tendermomentsdoula.com

If your child likes the "swaddle thing" they do it for her. They are bunched up inside of us for 9 months.

If this would be her "comfort" blanket. then use it often

J.

I say if swaddling works, do it. if your sitter is concerned about SIDS, you can compromise & get the bebesounds Angelcare monitor. it actually detects the motion of her breathing and a alarm goes off when there's no motion at all. I love it.

I am a home day care provider, and I therefore cannot have a baby sleeping on their tummy in my care because of the SIDS risk. However, my own kids have slept on their tummies ever since about 3 months old when that was the only way they would sleep. I could go on about why I chose to go with it for my kids, but I won't right now. :) That was also around the time they didn't stay swaddled anymore and their startle reflexes would wake them if they did fall asleep on their back unswaddled. I think a lot of the comfort babies find in sleeping on their tummies is that comforting pressure on their bellies and arms, kind of like they are hugging their bed, after being cuddled so tight in the womb, it makes sense that cuddling and that pressure that goes with it would comfort a baby. Swaddling helps that feel for them I think, like the blanket is "holding" them. Lying on their backs free gives kind of that free fall feel instead. Also, sleep begets sleep, so if she is getting overtired, it's going to be harder for her to fall asleep. Sleep is so important for health and immunity, growth, brain development, etc. I would try swaddling for naps too, so she doesn't have to sleep on her tummy and still feels comfortable enough to sleep. Also, the Angelcare monitor that somebody mentioned. Sounds good in theory, but as they said at the Sids seminar I went to, "it only tells you when". Even if you are right there with them, it's not something you can just wake them up from.
Just some thoughts. Hope it helps.

I'm sure swaddling during naps is fine as long as your daughter gets plenty of 'free' time to move & stretch while she's awake. If it comforts her then go for it!

The sleeping on her tummy thing is a very personal issue. As a mother & daycare provider, I always put my son to sleep on his back. Now he's bigger, he'll flip onto his tummy & I leave him there. When I have other young babies with me, I always put them to bed on their backs, even if they sleep on their tummies at home. There is plenty of research to show that there is a significant increased risk of SIDS in babies who sleep on their tummies. What you do with your own baby is up to you, but I would allow your nanny to do what feels comfortable to her.

I'm sure your nanny will figure out what works for the 2 of them - you can tell her what you do and let her find her way. As long as your daughter is safe and well cared for she'll be fine. And, she will nap even if its not quite as long as you'd like!

Good luck,

R.

A.,

We swaddled our daughter for all sleeping until she was about 6 months old. She spent the rest of her time being active and everything is just fine. If it works, why question it? She feels safe and secure when she's swaddled...that's why she's sleeping so well. When she's ready, gradually ween her from the blanket. Worked great for us and we were all better rested and happy.

How is she with sleeping on her side? My son wouldn't stay in that position, but my daughter seemed to like it and would sleep really well with a blanket wrapped around her middle (not binding her legs or arms) and set down on her side. I was waiting and waiting for the day each of my kids started rolling over so I could lay them on their tummies.

I have to agree with the previous mamas who say that the babysitter will find a way. I couldn't believe what a better sleeper my son was at daycare than at home. It's amazing how they can adapt to different caregivers' "rules".

I can speak for the babysitter as I am a child care provider. If your provider has a problem with your child sleeping on her tummy it is because, if he/she is licensed, they instruct us to put the child to sleep on his/her back. Now, as a mother myself, I do know that your child will roll on his/her own in their own time and swaddling may not accomplish what it is meant to do as the child becomes unfolded during his/her rolling process. In my opinion, allow the sitter to do what he/she is instructed to do and very soon, your child will be the one to set the pace for sleeping on her own. Going back to work will be a transcition for you and for your child anyway. By the time you both are adjusted to this, the sleep thing will become second fiddle and possibly not even be an issue because of her rolling on her own. I hope that this helps. My best to you. K.

Get a new babysitter! You're the boss. She's 4 months old, there shouldn't be any issues of her being able to lift her head. Is there? As long as she can roll or lift her head, she should be safe sleeping on her tummy. Otherwise, consider getting a TV monitor so the babysitter can watch her take a nap.

hi
You have to do what you feel is right there is nothing wrong with the swaddling. Sleeping on the tummy is your call. One thing my son would nit sleep on his back for long petiods of time. I needed sleep and so did he so i had to do what was best for us and so do you.

First of all, once your baby can roll over, I don't think that the tummy sleeping is an issue any more. It sounds like she is really active and not in danger of suffocation anymore.
Also, it sounds like she is getting tons of sleep! 11 hours at night & another 5 during the day is a lot of sleep. Those are some very long naps, which are wonderful for her & for you : ) But maybe not necessary... 14-16 hours is probably the normal range... I don't think every child sleeps that long every day though.

We always put our son to sleep on his back (still at 17 months) but he has long long been a tummy sleeper by preference and has been rolling around since he was really little. Talk to your doctor about the tummy sleeping at your next appointment. Chances are that your doctor will say that if the baby is that active, it's totally fine....

hope this helps
C.