Flipping over during sleep

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FutureHKmom

Registered User
My five month old son sleeps in his crib in his room by himself at nights. He sleeps on his back and this morning we found that he had flipped himself over to his stomach and had his head down to the side. He knows how to flip himself back to his stomach but sometimes has a hard time doing it himself. I'm concerned that he will suffocate on his stomach. I'm also concerned about SIDS. We have our monitor on but this morning he didn't make a sound when he flipped. Any ideas and advice on what we should do? Thanks!
 
Oops - typo in my first message, my son can easily flip from his back to his stomach and also knows how to flip from his stomach to back, but sometimes he has a hard time flipping from his stomach to back which gets him really annoyed and in turn makes it even harder for him to get back to his back. This is what worries me the most - that he will be stuck on his stomach and suffocate!
 
My baby was the same - I just moved him from his hammock to a cot at 6 months and he couldn`t yet flip back to his back from his stomach. What ended up happening is me waking up to his calls several times a night to be rescued. I was also paranoid about him suffocating, and I still always do breathing checks on him, even during naps. I have even moved his head more to one side from time to time. What I noticed is that even if he gets stuck, he won`t suffocate (I hope!) because he can lift his neck up so well. and then call for help. sometimes he just gives up and goes back to sleep on his tummy but his head is always turned to one side.
He will eventually learn how to flip back over. Mind did, thankfully, but that`s just a recent thing. Though with the cribs (mine is a smaller one) there`s not always room for them to do it. Try practicing rolling with him while he`s awake and maybe it will help strengthen his muscles.
 
My baby is just learning to turn now- being 4 months and I have the same worries. Was told by my friend to get the 'Angelcare' baby monitor, which comes with a sensor pad which you place underneath the baby's mattress to detect her breathing. I find it rather amazing, since the mattress is not exactly thin. We have not had an actual incident yet (touch wood) but sometimes when we lift her off the bed and forget to turn off the alarm, it does go off immediately. Not sure if a breathing monitor is absolutely necessary but we just have it for our peace of mind.
 
Hi FutureHKMom

We used a wedge for our son which you can buy from Eugene and other places. It is two triangles of foam with material between. It stops the baby rolling over onto their tummy. This gave us some peace of mind with the SIDS risk.

SB2
 
My daughter has been sleeping on her belly since about 6 months, when she learned to roll over. I've tried rolling her onto her back, but she seems to really prefer sleeping on her belly, so I've pretty much given up flipping her (several times a night) which usually just woke her anyway. I do check her breathing often and sometimes re-position her head. She is 10 months and her crib is still in our room, so its been pretty easy to monitor her. We are moving her to her own room soon and have bought an Angel Care monitor, a movement and sound monitor that can apparently monitor the smallest movements made by breathing (I hope I never have to find out if it really works). I think its added piece of mind, especially since she won't be right there with us, but I'm sure I'll still be in checking for breathing every hour, as I've gotten pretty used to it!
 
That's right. Get an Angel Care Monitor that can detect sound and motion (baby's breathing). Some babies sleep better on their sides/stomach.
 
I should add that we also had a Tommee Tippee (sound and) motion monitor which sets off an alarm if the baby does not move for a few seconds. Picks up the breathing. It has a blinking light on the part in our room and it was a real comfort when I was having my crazy "baby is in the bed with us and is suffocating" dreams when he was little! I could just look at the blinking light that blinks every time he breathes and was reassured.

SB2
 
Thanks for everyone's helpful advice!

Was wondering where to buy the Angel Care Monitor and the Tommee Tippee one. Will definitely look into it.....
 
Out of interest does anyone know up to what age SIDs is still considered a risk factor?
I always assumed it would be mainly for the first few months and then once they can lift their head or roll over it was no longer an issue?
 
SIDS also relates to overheating and not just suffocating. I think that the age is 6 months.

Remember - babies are survivors and they will move their heads if they cant breathe. Just make sure that there are no teddies etc that can get in their way.
 
Smiles said:
Out of interest does anyone know up to what age SIDs is still considered a risk factor?
I always assumed it would be mainly for the first few months and then once they can lift their head or roll over it was no longer an issue?
Click to expand...

I read that 90% of cases happen before the 6th month, when they don`t have as much control over their bodies.
 
sorchului said:
I have a related question:

My 7 months old baby does not know how to flip over yet. Is that rare?
Click to expand...

Does your baby sleep in a crib? Mine slept in a hammock til 6 months and I think it really inhibited his abilities to roll over since he just didn`t have the space. According to all the developmental milestone stuff I have read, however, babies should be turning over by then. But then again, each baby is different, right? If you`re concerned, I would bring your baby to the doctor for a check up about that.
 
Hi

See the below article

Cot death (SIDS)

which says risk descreases at 5 - 6 months. Also lots of factors involved - premature baby, smokers etc. Have a read.

Sorchului - my baby didn't roll until about 9 months so don't worry. I remember a friend saying to me that she was certain that almost every adult can roll over so she was sure my baby would get it eventually! Of course she was right and it helped me to have some perspective. Of course, if you are concerned, see your doctor but I am sure your baby is fine.

SB2
 
Something I found on the Babycenter website, under the "when to be concerned" section:

If your baby hasn't figured out how to flip one way or the other by the time he's about six months old and isn't showing any interest in getting around by any other means, bring it up the next time you talk to your doctor or health visitor. Babies develop skills differently, some more quickly than others - and some babies never really take to rolling over - but if your child hasn't moved on to sitting and trying to scoot or crawl instead, ask your doctor about it. Keep in mind that premature babies may reach this and other milestones later than their peers.

So, I guess have a look at the whole picture, rather than just pinpointing on the one milestone? What does your baby do when you put him/her on their tummy?
 
Shenzhennifer, starbucks 2, Purple Flower

Thanks for your advice. I just have to wait when my bb learns to flip over. Meanwhile I will give her tummy time and time to play on the mat. Hope that helps.

She is not sitting up either but loves to stand with support.
 
if your baby is strong enough to flip over, he/she is strong enough to move his/her head when sleeping. suffocating should not be a problem. you do NOT need to wake up to flip them back...in a few weeks, you would be getting up dozens of times per night.
 
sorchului said:
I have a related question:

My 7 months old baby does not know how to flip over yet. Is that rare?
Click to expand...

don't worry...my baby did not flip till about 9months...now whenever we put her down for belly time, all she ever does is flip - left and right! i guess you just have to be more vigilant at this age when they sleep...check to see if your baby turns his/ her head to the side when on the back...if so, you don't need to worry too much...
 
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