Putting newborn to sleep on front

[madmillie92]

So my 4 day old girl is refusing to sleep at night unless she's in my arms, I'm trying to stay up all night as I'm so paranoid of the sids risk that I'm probably making things more dangerous, last night I fell asleep while sitting up burping her face down over my legs on the bed! it's too risky for me to keep letting her sleep on me and I've tried everything to get her to sleep on her back, she won't sleep even in the bouncer at night (but will in the day strangely enough)
Just how risky is front sleeping? Thinking if trying her on her front in her moses basket tonight? Do you think it's safer than her sleeping in me (propped up on my arm in bed is how I've been sleeping with her for past couple of nights) thanks in advance from a tired mummy

 

[WolfMamma]

My girl was a tummy sleeper from about 3 weeks old and so was I. All we did was to get a sense pad monitor to be on the safe side but the only time it ever went off was when she learned to wriggle around her cot and moved off the pad!

She still sleeps on her tummy to this day!

 

[madmillie92]

What a good idea, hadn't thought of a movement monitor! She current fast asleep in her moses basket for the first time ever! On her front happy as anything, being extra vigilant with not overheating etc to try keep all risk now but I'm so relieved she's asleep somewhere that's not me!

 

[Shanivy]

Personally I wouldn't have her on her front as it's all about her breathing and carbon monoxide. Bouncer sleeping is also dangerous at night due to the head position. It's a definite sids risk and since you're asking for advice I'd like to be honest

Have you tried swaddling your baby? Most babies love swaddling as it stops the startle reflex they get on their back. You can get her on her back that way. With my dd I swaddled her and had to rock her for a bit first in the first week or so. Then you can swaddle and rock her in the Moses basket. It was a lifesaver for me. Either way if you persevere and put her on her back during the day she will get used it.

She's probably used to being on you/being cuddled and is like wtf when you try and put her on her back. Also they're sometimes more comfy on the tummy. Not your fault at all and I'm not judging either, I've been there.

If you still want her on her front I'd speak to your midwife about it tomorrow as I'm sure they can give you better advice than we can. Then at least you'll feel comfortable in whatever decision you make.

Also I fell asleep once probably day 6ish with dd on me and woke up with the blanket almost covering her and I cried like a baby. Then I started swaddling. Early days are hard, I hope she starts sleeping better for you soon. Congrats on your baby girl xxx

 

[Elspeth]

Hiya, my first baby was similar.
She would not sleep on her back in her moses basket.
I tried and tried and tried, spending hours and hours at night with her waking immediately and then resettling her.
Me and my partner took it in shifts the first month or so and took it in turns to hold her through the night. Then I took over and I got around 3 hours sleep a night. Generally my daughter slept on my chest.
It was really tough.
At 4 months when I was getting quite depressed I put her on her front to sleep with an angel care breathing monitor. She slept so much better and has slept on her front ever since.
I was very aware of the guidance but felt the risks to my own mental health were much greater at this point than the risk of sids.
I felt better that my daughter could lift her head at this stage.

I hope things get better for you. Chronic sleep deprivation is hell.

This time around I have co slept from day 1 but my son sleeps beautifully on his back. It's such a revelation to me to actually have a baby that sleeps!!

I wish there was more info out there about what to do if your baby won't sleep on their back. I would imagine that baby sleeping on their front with a breathing monitor is less risky than falling asleep holding your baby (falling asleep on a sofa is the most risky so don't do that)

Good luck, this time will pass, hopefully it won't last long

 

[millielaura]

Would she sleep on her back if co sleeping? Could look into safe co sleeping if so which will defo be safer than falling asleep by accident .. I was anxious about cosleeling but then I kept falling asleep with her holding her as she just wouldn't lay down flat on her own so I ended up co sleeping most nights xx

 

[megsmeadow]

We've had two tummy sleepers! I felt awful, like I was breaking all the rules! But it's best advice and there are sids risks whichever way you put them to sleep. Like you mention, baby is at greater risk falling asleep on you in an awkward position than in a cot or moses on his/her tummy.
That said we did everything we could to minimise the risks. We used the angelcare motion sensor and our first son used a dummy. It's akin to breastfeeding debates. We know breast is best but you wouldn't deprive your baby of any alternative if you had no milk breastmilk to give!

 

[GBLiz]

ive had two tummy sleepers too. the first i got a movement sensor, the second i didnt bother!

 

[Blueclass]

I know how you feel my baby wouldn't sleep unless she was on me. I did co sleep abit which made it better and she was in the chicco next to me crib. Personally id never lay a young baby on their front. Summer hated swaddling and hated laying on her back but i didn't let her sleep on her front till she was able to roll over as thats what i was told. Was hell and didnt sleep much but i wasnt prepared to put her on her front. Each person is different and only you can make the decision. The sensor pad is an idea I use one now. I think you should talk to the hv or mw as they may offer some advice. I know its hard but she will sleep eventually. X