Caleb's been having trouble sleeping on his back in the crib. He's spending most of the time on his back grunting and groaning (but not crying)... the doc says he just hasn't learned to coordinate his poop muscles and so he can't toot or poop well in that position. But if I put him on his tummy, he sleeps great (not that I've allowed him to do it for more than a 20 min period, I'm so afraid of SIDS and would die if anything happened to him because of my own risk-taking), and if I put him in his baby swing seat (with the swing turned off) he sleeps up to 5-6 hours at a time. I'm just nervous because I don't want to start a habit that's going to be too hard to break, like not being able to sleep in a crib instead of a swing seat. I think maybe it might be a good idea to continue trying to put him down on his back, so that he CAN learn to use those muscles, but it's soooo hard to listen to him uncomfortable and straining all night, and of course, we both still need some sleep, too. What would you do if you were in my shoes?
I had the same problem with my boys when I brought them home from the NICU. They were used to sleeping on their tummies and sides that being on their back kept them (and me!) up all night. Swaddling really helped them sleep better on their backs though and now they sleep that way pretty easily. Mine are on monitors, so I occasionally still let them sleep on their tummies if they are having a rough night. As for the swings, mine sleep way better in those than anything else. They sleep 4-5 hours in them as opposed to 2 1/2 to 3 hours in their cribs. I don't think they can develop bad habits this early. I just read HSHHC and he didn't say anything all that against sleeping in swings in the early months, just to turn off the motion once they fall asleep. These are my first, so I'm by no means sure what I'm talking about, just figured I would put in my 2 cents. =D
Mine slept in their swings or carseat or on us at night until close to 4 months due to really bad reflux. We went cold turkey into the cribs for naps at 3 months and then at 4 months put them down in the cribs at night. I dont think letting him sleep upright at night will start a bad habit at this age.
Put him in his swing!!! If it works, then do it. You won't establish bad habits at only one or two months old. If he's still sleeping in his swing at nine months old, then you've got an issue. But really, use the swing and transition him around four or five months. So many women on here have said they did that it it worked just fine.
Mine did that for the first couple months too, then we changed their formula at 2 months and it stopped... They always slept swaddled in their crib at night. We never gave in to tummy sleeping, I don't think a bit more sleep is worth taking such a risk IMO. The swing would work but it can be a hard habit to break.
oh yeah, I forgot to mention that he hates swaddling. He always manages to get out. He's always enjoyed his space
So the Dr didn't think it was reflux? Mine grunted and groaned all night long, they really had no other symptoms...The Dr. finally put them on reflux meds and they slept in their carseat swings for a few months which helped. We had no problem transitioning to cribs eventually. Oh mine were so quiet on their tummies too, but didn't want to take that chance! Honestly, If I were in your shoes i would opt for swing sleeping at this point! JMO
Our DS was also a grunter- we called him our "little caveman". Turns out, it was reflux- oops, sorry son, no more nickname! He slept in his bouncy seat once he was diagnosed, has been on Axid since about 1 month old. He hardly has symptoms now, usually one short bout of grunting when waking up in the middle of the night for a meal. He has been back in his crib for a few weeks now consistently. We started with naps, and when he seemed comfy we moved to longer sleeps in the crib. If it's not reflux... well, I don't know. GL!
