My newborn hates sleeping on his back!

[Palestrina]

He's 12days old and hates sleeping on his back. In fact he hates being put on his back period. We've been a little frightened of him spitting up in his sleep so have been putting him on a slight incline in his crib, swaddled up and turned slightly on his side. I've heard that babies are only supposed to sleep on their back, is this safe? I can't stand the thought of him spitting up or being uncomfortable on his back!

 

[alocin22]

It is recommended due to SIDS that babies are to sleep on their back. Sleeping on their back should not cause any issues of choking.
I have had the same problem with my LO from birth that she just never liked sleeping on her back. Eventually i gave in after about a week and always put her on her side to sleep of a night time. During the day she has always sleeps on her belly.
x

 

[amy19604]

my lo has always hated being on his back, and gets very windy and sicky and starts kind of choking, so i lay him the same as you, either propped up or on the side. sometimes he does lay on his back if he seems comfy like that, but then when he wakes and we sit him up he is sick usually. x

 

[LittleBoo]

He could have reflux? Maybe try a wedge pillow, I hear they're quite good

 

[Flipsy]

If it's any consolation my daughter has slept on her tummy since two weeks old ... i gave in after no sleep for two days lol .. she's a happy healthy three month old STTN since 8 weeks xx

 

[xnmd1]

I wouldn't put him on his side TBH. An incline I believe is okay as long as there's nothing in the crib itself. A lot of newborns hate being on their back, mine included, but they do get used to it. Its also possible he could have reflux and that may be why it's bothering him.

ETA: There is very little choking risk if your baby does spit up. The vast majority of babies will simply turn their head to the side.

 

[Chaos]

He's 12days old and hates sleeping on his back. In fact he hates being put on his back period. We've been a little frightened of him spitting up in his sleep so have been putting him on a slight incline in his crib, swaddled up and turned slightly on his side. I've heard that babies are only supposed to sleep on their back, is this safe? I can't stand the thought of him spitting up or being uncomfortable on his back!

He might have a bit of reflux (most babies do in the first couple months) if he's spitting up and that can be painful, laying on his back can make it worse. You could try elevating the head end of his crib by putting a small towel under the mattress.

My DD was a side sleeper from day she was born in the hospital. Even the nurses put her on her side. She never rolled over as she was swaddled and once she could finally roll over by her self she was fine. If you've overly worried you can roll a small towel behind the back to keep him in position.

Gotta do what works for you and YOUR family

 

[alynn6758]

None of my babies liked sleeping on their backs, my oldest had bad reflux and did choke to the point he wasn't able to breathe, the cat i had ran into his room and there he was choking on his back...the doctor advised that babies with reflux should be placed on the side, and that's what we did...it was really severe reflux though, so I would talk to your child's pediatrician...I learned that you can elevate the mattress with my 2nd baby boy, he had silent reflux, that just came up to his throat which caused him severe discomfort...my baby girl sleeps on her side or stomach as she rolls over on her stomach now...and she can move her head really well...she doesn't have reflux or anything for non reflux babies, the risk of choking is minimal but if its severe reflux please be aware that they can choke if on their back...not trying to worry you but I didn't think my baby could choke on their back, I thought he would turn his head, but his reflux was so bad, it was too fast for him to turn is head before it got all over his face and nose and he when he went to cry he started choking. He's ok though, thanks to the cat.. he's 9 1/2 years old now...the reflux went away when he was 4 months old.

 

[Spunky]

My little man also hates to sleep on his back. He's almost 3 weeks and sometimes we can get him to sleep on his back, during the day we let him tummy sleep, and at night when he wont sleep on his back he sleeps on either my chest or my husband's (or grandma's when she spends the night). Can't wait till he sleeps through the night or sleeps on his stomach!!! He tries to roll over now, but doesn't get very far.

 

[LockandKey]

My LO spit up while on her back before, and she was fine, she just turned her head and it ended up on the mattress of her bassinet. We have the head of her bassinet mattress elevated too due to silent reflux. I know that a baby shouldn't sleep on their side or their stomachs unless they are closely monitored the entire time, so you might just have to put him on his back and hope he gets used to it quick. He might not like it, but it's for his safety.

 

[sarajane]

My little boy is nearly 4 months old and in the hospital in Spain they always recommend putting them on their side for some reason. Anyway, as a newborn he always slept on his back or slightly tilted to the side, but as he got a bit bigger he started hating it a lot , and just not sleeping at all. He´d sleep for 5 minutes and kinda startle himself awake. I started letting him sleep on his tummy in the day time and he´d sleep for hours! And now at night he rolls himself over on to his tummy and sleeps right through the night! All baby´s are different and you just have to find what´s best for your LO, but I admit I was really scared of letting mine sleep on his tummy at first, but since he has enough strength to roll himself over now I´ve started to worry a little less!