Q&A Forum

26/5/20

Shantell

Hi my baby has just turned 8 weeks old and I can not get any sleep while my baby is sleeping as I am so scared of my baby suffocating during sleep. My partner and I do shifts watching our baby so we can get sleep. I’m so exhausted and wanted to know how can I relax more and stop worrying about this happening and now it is more stressful as my baby is starting to try and roll so I was wondering what can I do that is the safest option and most effective to preven her from rolling onto her side and stomach and are the sleeping bags safe for her so I don’t have to have her wrapped? Please help. I have also bought sensor monitors too so I could relax but nothing is helping I just can’t stop worrying. Is their any advise to stop me from worrying so I can sleep while she sleeps?

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Posted a response on 27/5/20

Red Nose Education

Rolling is a normal development stage for babies (just like sitting/crawling/walking)
This is not something that needs to be stopped, but it is important to make the environment as safe as possible for this to occur.

Most babies don’t roll intentionally when sleeping till about 3-4 months - some earlier, some later.
We have had regular questions in relation to babies rolling at an early age.
Red Nose recommends modifying any wrap from about 3 months (or before) in preparation for rolling by leaving arms free from the wrap, or start using a sleeping bag.
Regardless of age it is important to make some adjustments as you would if she was older.

As she appears to be starting to roll, it is time to move from bassinet into her cot.

All swaddling (muslin wrap or swaddle suit) should be ceased when baby is rolling.
https://rednose.org.au/article/is-it-safe-to-wrap-swaddle-my-baby


Red Nose recommends always place baby on back to sleep.

Red Nose has the following information when that your baby is starting to roll.

Give baby extra tummy time to play when awake and supervised as this helps baby to develop stronger neck and upper body muscles which in turn enables them to roll back over.
Make sure that baby is on a firm and well-fitting mattress that is flat (not tilted or elevated).
Make sure that baby’s face and head remains uncovered (do not use lambswool, doonas, pillows, cot bumpers or soft toys)

As babies grow and develop they become very active and learn to roll around the cot.
At this time, continue to put them on the back at the start of sleep time, but let them find their own position of comfort.
By this stage it is not necessary to wake during the night to turn baby over to the back position

Any product that is used as clothing on the baby or in the baby’s sleep environment should not restrict the movement of a baby who is able to roll. Wrapping should be discontinued as soon as the baby shows the first signs of being able to roll.
Positioning aids that restrict movement of the baby are not recommended and have been associated with infant deaths.
https://rednose.org.au/article/wrapping-babies
https://rednose.org.au/article/is-it-safe-to-use-products-designed-to-keep-baby-in-a-particular-position

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