How do you lay your baby down to sleep?

Question

On their back or on their side?

I have a 3 month old and after weeks of laying her on her back (current guidelines in the UK) and her waking up non stop with jerky hand and arm movements, I have started to lay her down on her side and then just let her find her own way onto her back when she's settled and she seems to be sleeping like an angel.

Anyone else experienced this?

Answer 1

On her front. She refused to sleep for more than 15 minutes on her back or side so after 3 weeks I gave in and put her on her front - complete angel from that moment on.

And consider this, at the moment guidelines say on the back.

When I was a baby, 22 years ago, babies were supposed to be on their fronts.

40 years ago, they had to lay on their sides.

What does this tell you???

Answer 2

for the first couple months my son laid flat on his back. but ever since he was 4 months old, i started laying him on his side. he loves it. that is usually the position i find him in the morning (if he already hasnt woken up before me).

But when its bed time, i lay down next to him on my bed, get him settled down... then once he is in dreamland, i move him into his crib... laying him on his side. and he sleeps great

Answer 3

Mostly I try and lay my 2 week old on his back but he always rolls onto his side on his own anyway, so sometimes I also lay him this way - the midwives in hospital did it too. If he's on his side, I make sure he has something preventing him from rolling onto his tummy.  

Answer 4

On their back.  She could roll to her stomach and suffocate because she's too young to flip back over.  Swaddle her and that will control her jerky hand and arm movements.  Please don't lay her on her side......  

Answer 5

I put mine down on her back.  

Answer 6

My baby has a really bad moro reflex also.  It helps a lot to swaddle him, then he can't flail himself awake.

Answer 7

My son is 3 months old.  I know you are not supposed to lay them on their stomachs..but he can hold his head up by himself and I feel he is okay laying like that. However, there are chances of SIDS.  I would probably put him on his side.  They do scare themselves with they are laying on their backs and move their arms. it wakes them up!

Answer 8

I always laid both of mine on their backs but if they wouldnt settle id put them on their sides and they were just fine. I know its all well intentioned advice these guidelines keep going on about but they change every so many years, my mum always said she was told to lay me on my tummy!

Answer 9

I know I'll get a lot of thumbs down for this but my daughter loves sleeping on her stomach. As much as people act like it's a big deal, everyone my age was put on their stomach as a baby. As far as I know, we're all ok. She is able to hold her head up and move it side to side and I would rather have her this way if she would spit up. Do you want your baby swallowing that or choking on it? Plus, when she was in the NICU, they always had her on her stomach(and then told me not to). After being there for over two weeks, that's what she is used to. If I am not watching her sleeping, she is propped on her side with a sleep positioner in her bassinet. Sorry to those who act like I am hurting my child. She is the love of my life and I would never do something that I thought would cause her harm!

Answer 10

My daughter did the same thing, so I swaddled her and laid her down on her back.  But if you have found something that works, then use it!  

Answer 11

I either lay him on his back or side.

Answer 12

People will think what they want about me but none of my 3 kids would sleep on their backs. I am old school and don't think it is as much of a threat as it's made out to be.  

Answer 13

If you've found what works...stick with it!!!

I used to swaddle mine, wrap them up tight in a shawl and then lay them on their side. Probably old fashioned, but it was effective!!

Answer 14

On his back, and always on his back. Try swaddling him, we did until my son was about 7 months old - he loved it. It will make him feel safe and secure and normally stops the baby waking up when they have their 'jerky' moments. These jerky moments will pass as he gets a bit older.  

Answer 15

I always lay my baby down on his side. To stop them rolling over just place a rolled up towel at their backs. It worked for me...

Answer 16

I always laid him on his side. . .he sleeps best this way.

Answer 17

I work for the NHS with newborn babies. A baby should be put to sleep on their back with their feet at the bottom of the crib/moses basket/cot. You should ensure that you use thin blankets (cotton cellular are the best as they have holes for ventelation). NEVER use QUILTS/DUVETS on a baby under 1 year. This is the advice given to parents as it is the safest position to help prevent cot death (which sadly claims the life of 1 baby a day in the uk) DO NOT swaddle your baby when she is in bed as some people have advised as it may cause her to overheat (we all sweat more when we are asleep).And do not put her on her side with a rolled up blanket by her back as one person advised, this will prevent her from rolling onto her back and could make her turn onto her front!!! If a baby is laid on its side then it could roll onto its tummy and suffocate. When she begins to roll over (if she isnt already) then she will find her own comfortable sleep position, until then follow the guidelines. The jerky hand/arm movements sound like the moro reflex (startle reflex).It is normally present in all infants/newborns up to 4 or 5 months of age. Speak to your health visitor for more advice and mention the jerky movements if you are concerned at all. Hope this helps

Answer 18

My baby has been sleeping on her tummy since she was 4 weeks...she is now 9 weeks and sleeps very well...she also would jerk and wake herself up.

Answer 19

my son never wanted to me on his back from birth so he lay on his side and tummy