Sleeping Positions and Sleeping Positioners for Infants

Tummy or Side Sleeping Positions for Infants

Research has shown that babies reflux less when on their left sides and tummies because the stomach acid is furthest from the esophagus. Talk to your doctor about swaddling and putting your baby on his left side or getting an angelcare monitor so you can allow baby to sleep on his tummy. This type of monitor tracks your baby's movements and alarms if they stop, indicating that your baby has stopped breathing.

Infant Sleep Positioners

Bolster-style infant sleep positioners used to be basically two pieces of foam attached together by a piece of fabric. The baby is laid on the fabric in between the foam bolsters so that he could not roll over. A bolster-style baby sleep positioner may be helpful in keeping your baby on his side but be sure your baby is able to pull up his legs if he has gas. Many bolster-style baby and infant sleep positioners pin the baby in such a way that they do not have enough mobility to move around and resolve gas on their own. Dex has recently come out with new memory foam infant sleep positioners that have a slight elevation to them and prevent flat head syndrome.

Infant sleep positioners help prevent flat head syndrome and keep your baby on his back

Visit our online store for infant sleep positioners and other baby products.

     

Sleep Positioning with Crib Wedges, Propping the Crib and Baby Hammocks

You may also consider a crib wedge. These are inexpensive (about $15), very slight angles and can be purchased at most chain baby stores. These *may* work for less active babies but most babies simply slide or kick down and end up sleeping at the flat foot of the crib anyway. You can also try propping the head of the crib up on bricks. The motion of a baby hammock can be great at soothing your fussy or colicky baby but beware the position it puts a baby with reflux in. In a hammock the baby is curled into a "U" position with the head and feet higher than the bottom. This creates a nice womb-like environment but it is not an upright, straight spine position and puts some pressure on the tummy. For most babies this is not an issue but if you have a baby that is sensitive to positioning then this is not for you! If your baby is not sensitive to positioning then this can be a fabulous sleep solution.

Acid Reflux Sleep Positioners - Acid Reflux Pillows for Infants and Baby Sleeping Wedges

It is easy to find an adult sleeping wedge or acid reflux pillow online that you can place under the crib or sheet to bring the mattress into an upright position but most babies will simply roll down to the foot of the crib.There are several baby sleep wedges with harnesses on the market. We believe the Tucker Sling (crib mattress sling) and Tucker Sling with Wedge to be the best made and safest options. The Tucker Sling allows you to control the incline of your crib mattress and the Tucker Sling with Wedge can be used in any room, including a family bed arrangement.The velcro is very strong and they have a secondary buckle to make sure it cannot come undone. Some babies with reflux need to sleep on their stomachs and should only do so on a secure baby and infant sleep wedge like this. The harness allows for babies to sleep on their stomachs, sides or backs on both the Tucker Sling with Wedge and the Tucker Sling. These are also great for babies with apnea or congestion.

Sleeping Positions for the Family Bed

Until your baby’s reflux is managed, he will likely not sleep or nap well. It’s important for you to expect this. Parents can benefit from co-sleeping so that the baby can comfort nurse as frequently and for as long as necessary during the night while allowing you to rest. Many babies with reflux need to nurse in an upright position so nurse in bed with caution. If you do co-sleep, you should always follow safe sleeping advice. A baby sleeping wedge can come in bed with you and alleviate any concern about rolling onto the baby. This will also keep a baby with reflux on a good angle which may mean longer sleep cycles.

Sleeping Positions for Co-Sleepers

Some parents prefer to use a co-sleeper, or sidecar bed that attaches to the side of their bed. These can be elevated in the same manner that a crib or pack-n-play can, by placing phone books or foam crib wedges under the mattress. Wedge-style baby and infant sleep positioners can go on top of the mattress in a co-sleeper as well as a regular crib. If you are unable to co-sleep with your baby, or Baby chooses to play rather than sleep in your presence you may need to put him in a separate room.

What About Sleep Training?

Because your baby may be a poor sleeper, you may be encouraged by friends, family members, or parenting books to try “sleep training”. It’s important to remember that your baby is ill and in pain. Sleep training methods that encourage you to ignore your baby’s cries are especially inappropriate for babies with reflux. Babies who cry without response from a parent are not learning trust and security.

Helpful Sleep Resources

Once you have discovered treatment and feeding methods that are effective for your baby he should sleep better. See www.askdrsears.com for more information on infant’s sleep habits. Also pick up copies of The Happiest Baby on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp and The No-Cry Sleep Solution by Elizabeth Pantley at your local library or bookstore.

Baby Sleeping Aids

Sleeping aids can help your baby to sleep. White noise sound machines are a highly effective sleep aid for new babies, especially when they mimic the whooshing sound of a mother's womb. White noise sound machines are also an effective way to signal sleep cues and begin a predictable bedtime routine. We carry an inexpensive white noise sound machine that has womb and other sound options, like wind and rain.

Swaddling is another important baby sleeping aid, re-creating that snug and warm womb-like environment. When looking for swadddling blankets only consider 100% cotton blankets that are intended to swaddle correctly, rather than those designed with "tails" that wrap around the baby many times. Overwrapping can cause overheating, which is thought to contribute to SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. And always be sure your baby's thumbs are in the up position so he can suck on them. Thumb sucking is an important self-soothing technique that babies should not be denied. We carry wonderfully softd 100% cotton large swaddling blankets that are made in the USA and designed by a nurse practitioner.

One final baby sleeping aid you may want to consider is the smell of mother's bosom. Mama can tuck a small cotton hankerchief or other small piece of soft fabric in her bosom for several hours to take on her scent. That can then be placed in the crib close to your baby, reassuring him that Mama is close by.

More information:

Baby reflux or colic?
Reflux and colic home remedies
Alternative treatments for infant reflux
Reflux medications
Reflux tests

It is important to note that babies with reflux are at a higher risk for SIDS. This is because the spit-ups may spill over the windpipe, even in babies with silent reflux. See www.mcghealth.org for more information and be sure to follow all crib safety rules such as those found at www.askdrsears.com.

 

Looking for infant sleeping positioners and baby sleeping aids?

Visit our online store for white noise and other items to help your baby sleep.

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