5 Month Old Sleeping on Stomach

We were in the same boat. Weaned my little guy (now 6 1/2 mo) around 4 months from swaddle (fought w/ idea but enventually going to have to do it)and it took a few days but he sleeps great now and always on his tummy! :)

This happened with my oldest when she was 3 months, but she never liked to be swaddled. Can you try swaddling him to fall asleep, but then gently loosening his 'bindings' once he's sound asleep? That way if he rolls over at least he will be able to roll back. There is really no way to keep him on his back if he wants to be on his stomach, and I think using any kind of device to try and accomplish this could be more harmful than helpful. Good luck!

I am a former NICU Respiratory Therapist and now a midwife. Once your baby can turn over on his own the chances of SIDS drops dramatically. The theory behind SIDS is that when a baby is sleeping on his stomach a cloud of Co2 builds up and they start to rebreath that which causes the oxygen level in the baby to drop. In a bigger baby they can turn their head or turn over so that cloud does not build up. Let your baby sleep the way he wants to sleep. He will be fine.

Lisa

Oh boy, oh boy! this was me and my son! I asked the doctor about it because I would turn him right over on his back or side during the night. The doctor told me to make peace with it, and even the children who wear heart monitors are taken off of them at 6 months because they are usually ok. He stated it is a natural part of life for these little guys to flip over on their stomach. Relax and let it be.

Our pediatrician said that once they turn over- you can't stop it. My little one has been sleeping on her stomach since she was two months old - even though we always put her on her back. If he can't go without the swaddle, you might try to swaddle him with just his arms out. Good luck!

Gradually make it looser until it is gone. Is he managing to roll over anyway with the swaddle?

Have you tried a sleep positioner? It may make it harder for him to rollover. My daughter is 6 months and she still stays in hers for the most part.

Hi R.! I know it can be a little nerve wracking but your son is fine. I would suggest not swaddling him though. My son has been sleeping on his stomach since he was 3 months old. His pediatrician said that he prefers for him to sleep on his back but if he turns onto his stomach by himself and he continually does it then let it be. If it really bothers you, try putting him in a sleep positioner. That was absolutely useless for me but you can pick one up for around $20. It works for some children but son was just determined to be a tummy sleeper like his mommy!

I assume you're worried about SIDS. (And gosh, who wouldn't?) As others have said, once they can turn over, they'll be fine. But it's still hard not to worry.
I recently read (in Wondertime Magazine, I think) that research has shown that having a fan on in the room reduces the risk of SIDS by 72%. It just keeps the air moving so the CO2 doesn't buildup around baby's face.
So if you're not getting sleep because you're worried about it, turn on a fan in the room. You'll sleep better knowing you're doing everything you can.

If he can turn over onto the stomach himself and lift his head from side to side, he's probaby just fine.

Have you tried swaddling his body and leaving his arms out? You could try that at night.

Try a secure sleeper. It will keep him on his back. Good luck & God bless! H. B

I second the first comment. If your son can roll over and wants to sleep on his stomach then let him so you can both sleep more soundly.

My doctor told me once the baby could roll on his stomach let him sleep they way he wants but make sure there is nothing in his crib that he could choke on. The funny part is he loves to hold things when he sleeps and if I don't give him something to hold he will hold his bumpers.

If you think your baby will get cold at night not be swaddled put him in footed pjs.

They grow up so fast!

Try swaddling your baby more loosely so he can move his arms. My second and third babies all slept on their tummy as soon as they got home. If your baby can flip on their tummy on their own, then I don't believe SIDS should be a concern. Some believe SIDS is caused by environmental factors that produce offgassing such as vinyl wallpaper, vinyl blinds, new carpeting, certain baby mattresses, new paint, new furniture that has not been aired out before baby arrives, etc. If you have vinyl blinds or vinyl shower curtains, remove them from your home ASAP. Putting the ceiling fan on low is a good idea as well. Try to relax, and get some sleep!

I went thru the exact same thing at the exact same age. Unfortunately, you have to stop swaddling. It is too dangerous. Also, if you are using a sleep positioner take it out, my daughter flipped over the side of it so many times. I think it is dangerous once they start flipping over.

Your little one is going to have to get use to it. It took my daughter about 2 weeks of getting use to not being swaddled and on top of that it took her about 2 weeks to learn how to sleep when she flips over.

I checked on her for about a month and half. I was so nervous with her sleeping on her stomach especially considering she could not flip back over.

All I can say do not swaddle him any more and do not use the sleep positioner. Hang in there for the next few weeks until you both get use to it.

I used a sleep positioner. It had a mat that the baby's body was placed on with velcro tubed pillows that are placed by the belly and back. It will keep your baby on his side or back, if you prefer, until he's way too big to even be swaddled. I used it with each child. Eventually, they will be able to turn over and sleep on their belly, and they always sleep better that way; he'll be old enough too.

My son had really bad reflux and although my pediatrician could not recommend it, my son slept on his stomach starting at around 2 months old. He just slept so much better that way with the reflux. Once they can roll themselves over, there isn't as much to worry about, so if he's flipping himself onto his stomach, he could flip himself back if he needed/wanted to. Let him sleep how he's comfortable and you will both sleep like, well, babies!

I would let him sleep on his stomach un swaddled! I found this out the hard way for my son b/c he woulnd't sleep through the night until he was about that age b/c I was following orders and putting himon his side or back and he just didn't sleep well like that. Finally one morning at 2am with him asleep on my lap the light bulb went off and I put him in his crib on his tummy unswaddled and he slept through the night. I also am a tummy sleeper when not prego and my son at 6 years old still is a tummy sleeper. The first night I out him down on his tummy I was up every hour or so to check on him b/c they say not to do that but I needed sleep and so did he! It worked!!! Try it out and see what happens, espicially if he can roll over on his own and hold his head up on his own....the tummy might just work for you with him unswaddled.

Our daughter wanted to sleep on her stomach immediately- very young- 2 mos old or so. We swaddled her with arms out and made sure her bed was clear of all other stuff that could be dangerous and just let her sleep. It was a win-win situation as she was sleeping all night by the time she was 4-5 months old. Scary, I know but sometimes we have to practice due diligence, take all safety measures, turn on the baby monitor and go with it. Our ped. also said that once they can turn over to sleep- they will! Take care.

My daughter was a late swaddler like yours. When she started flipping over, I "weaned" her from the swaddle by leaving one arm unswaddled and then both arms. After a few days, I stopped swaddling her body and legs too. She had some trouble adjusting (to be expected) but it's definitely time to lose the swaddle for safety. Wishing you a good night sleep.

I LOVE the swaddle. I just "deswaddled" my 6 month old about 3 weeks ago. I know how important it is and I was very afraid to try and get her to sleep without it. Well the day came and she went right to sleep and slept through the night (11 hours)without a peep. I did a lot of researching on how to wean off the swaddle and a lot of people said that when they are ready...they will let you know. What I am getting at, is since he wants to roll on his tummy, maybe it is time to get rid of the swaddle. The main reason why my daughter slept so well in the swaddle is because her arms would still jerk. If he wants to sleep on his stomach...his arms won't jerk.

Good luck! :)