baby still hates lying on back on flat surfaces - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Ol'Line Rebel · 07-25-2008, 07:33 PM

Anyone have this problem with standard sleep surfaces?

We have sleep problems with our baby who is now 4 mos, but any problem he has seems to be exacerbated by putting him on a flat surface (on his back, presumably). Unless he is dead tired, he'll wake up immediately from being placed on such. Or, at least, he'll wake up a half hour later. He almost never has that problem being placed in a sitting position - e.g., the swing, or car seat. But cribs/playpens - he despises them.

How do you adjust a baby to this? Any ideas?

Or just any commiserations?

G8r4evr · 07-25-2008, 09:12 PM

We have the exact same problem. She can be out cold, but if you lay her down flat...in her crib, pack n play or anywhere else, she will be wide awake within 10 minutes.

She is almost 5 mths and still will not sleep on a flat surface, period...never has and Im wondering if she ever will. She slept in her swing the first 2 months and since then has been in her cradle, but to get her to sleep, I laid one of my pillows the length of the cradle and stuffed blankets all around it to keep her from rolling. She ABSOLUTELY loves it (I think she likes being "cradled" as the pillow literally conforms to her body). It takes some time to get the bed just right for her, but it is so worth it...she typically sleeps 10-12 hrs each night =)

Ol'Line Rebel · 07-26-2008, 11:20 AM

I actually have been using a nice blanket (often several) or a quilt with a nice blanket on top of it to make it more palatable. The no-nothing on a flat bed seems absolutely ridiculous to me. The softness helps, but still isn't perfect, obviously. I don't think he likes being straightened up. I think he still prefers the "fetal position" - and I bet that's natural.

I still think it's more natural for them to be on their tummies because of the fetal position. I bet it's weird for them to be straightened out this early. But I've put George on his back so much that now he doesn't like being placed on his tummy. He just likes the fetal position facing upward!

JenW67 · 07-27-2008, 07:44 AM

We have the same problem. Our boy (4 months old) still sleeps in his car seat most of the time. We just strap him in.

With my first son, I really fought to get him in the crib. We had many bad nights. So, with son #2, we just let him sleep in the car seat.

-Jen