My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

I'm having such a hard time at night after feedings, he just wants to be held. I'll hold him for an hour after to make sure he's sleeping and as soon as I put him down he cries. I tried the pacifier, gliding the cradle back and forth, leaving the tv on, the soothing bear in the crib but nothing helps. He loves to sleep on his stomach when people come over and hold him. I'm thinking he got used to be held all the time, even though he is only 6 days old I feel like he has a bad habit and that its our fault.

After feedings during the day if he gets held or passed around he will defintely sleep a good 2.5-3.5 hours. I try putting him in the bassinet during the day but it doesnt really last and even we put him in sleeping its not more than 1.5-2 hours in there on his back.

I dont know what to do, I'm nervous to have him sleep on his stomach while we're sleeping also even though he is closer than arms reach in the cradle next to us. I even tried the sleep positioner really tight and close to his body but he still cries.

I dont know much, but I know its way to early for him to cry it out especially if it something that he's just used to.

Any suggestions??? TIA!

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

When Emmy was in the NICU they had her on her side with a small burp cloth proping her that way. I was ok with it and rotated that with the positioner, but 2 days ago I went into her room and there was vomit EVERYWHERE and she had this glassy look on her face and when I lifted her up she let a bunch more out of her mouth and started screaming. I now ONLY put her to bed on her side with the small cloth to hold her. It's a minimal incline, but enough that she won't choke if this happens again. It scared the cr*p out of me!

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

had ds on his belly from 6 weeks.... it works!!

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

I slept my son on his belly at 5 weeks old but at 6 days I old I couldn't comfortably recommend that to you.

Have you tried the miracle blanket? I hear great things about that.

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Okay thank you so much. I didnt even think about the vomit or spit up. I was just worried about him not being able to turn his head even though he does like CRAZY. I know 6 days is a little early. Maybe I'll try to put him on his side for a few more weeks first. Thank you!

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

My DS had this problem - could be reflux. As soon as I put the positioner with the incline in the bassinet (on the peds suggestion) and laid him on his side he started sleeping just fine. B/f that he would only sleep on us or in his car seat. HTH!

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Posted by carissa1643

Okay thank you so much. I didnt even think about the vomit or spit up. I was just worried about him not being able to turn his head even though he does like CRAZY. I know 6 days is a little early. Maybe I'll try to put him on his side for a few more weeks first. Thank you!

Message edited 1/17/2010 2:28:31 PM.

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Are you swaddling? When we were first home, DS slept the best on his belly while being held or in the swing. We started using the Swaddle Me and he started sleeping well in his bassinet (at about 10 days or so).

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

when they're that young, they are not going to sleep very long no matter what you do. I'd say it takes about a month for them to get better at sleeping. I didn't swaddle DS for the first 5 weeks because I thought he hated it, too, but I was wrong. He needed it and still does at 11 weeks. Once we started swaddling him, he was like a different baby. He started sleeping for 5 hours at 5 weeks, 6 hours at 6 weeks, 7 hours at 7 weeks and now at 11 weeks he's at 8-10 hours and I owe it all to the miracle blanket! Babies startle reflex is so bad for the first few months so they really need to be swaddled to feel secure. I also fought with swaddling him or not swaddling him while he eats, but I realized that it's better to put them in their bassinet or crib awake so they can learn to put themselves to sleep. When I'd try to rock DS to sleep and the put him in the bassinet, he would just wake up within 5 minutes of putting him down anyway. So I just find it easier to feed him, rock him for 5-10 min to relax him (not put him to sleep) and then swaddle him. Give it some time and you will figure out what works best for you and your LO. It's a lot of trial and error. Good Luck.

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

He's way too young for any kind of habit to be formed. You carried him for 9 months and he was cozy and secure. It makes sense that he wants that same secure feeling by being close to you and held. Don't give up on the swaddle. He may struggle with it at first, but he'll probably sleep better swaddled.

DS wanted to be held 24/7 as a newborn and we ended up doing it. He had reflux and would cry as soon as we put him down. I never thought I'd co-sleep, but it was the only way any of us got some sleep.

You can always try the bouncer or swing if you think he prefers to be more upright. Try warming the mattress before putting him down so he thinks he's still right near you. You can also put a shirt that you wore in the crib or bassinet so he can still smell you. Hopefully you'll find something that works for you soon.

Re: My newborn doesnt sleep for a long time on his back

DD will only sleep on her back swaddled! Works every time! I used to swaddle her for naps too, but not anymore. She will fall asleep in my arms and I put her down on her stomach or in the car seat.