Sleep issues-cross post

[mama2rey]

Reyes has an active startle reflex. His hands move alot when he is asleep. We have been swaddling him and this helps. However DP is holding him right now as he sleeps-and just realized that he wakes up every time his hands move-which is alot. It explains his waking up every hour-and that he seems to fight sleep. I'm wondering if he's afraid to fall asleep because of this reflex. We were putting him in a bassinet during the day to sleep-but now I think I may have to wear him.

I've also noticed him thrashing around in his sleep at night-he wakes up for a second fusses and falls back asleep before I have a chance to soothe him-he does this mostly in the early morning (3-5am) Is there anything I can do in addition to swaddling to stop this? I feel so bad for him that he's having such bad sleep-it also makes my sleep really bad-as I wake up after every wimper then I can't sleep because I'm listening to him and waiting for the wimper that means he needs to be fed/changed etc...

[VickV]

We had the same issue with Isabel, and she refused to be swaddled - I started tummy sleeping her for all her naps at around 5-6 weeks. She had good head control, and I'd check her often, and it really helped her sleep a lot more deeply, since it seems to circumvent the startle reflex.

[mama2rey]

Hmmmm-since we co-sleep-Reyes has been know to fall asleep on my lap as I burp him or on my chest-and then I'll fall asleep. I've been trying to avoid it as I worry about SIDS-so he sleeps swaddled in between DP and me on a Boppy-I am going to try him on his tummy either on my lap or my chest at night-we did not have this issue pre-Boppy-so he slept on us-usually face down.

I'll try it!

[YummyYumYumMama]

i got a sleep positioner for maya (by "first years" - it cost like $10, i can find the model if you're interested) and have her sleep on her side. she startles really bad on her back, but not nearly as much on her side!

[bluesymama]

Toren is an arm waver too. He wakes himself up constantly when on his back- but will not tolerate swaddling. I have resorted to sleeping him on his tummy :- with lots of supervision 'cause I worry- and it has helped a ton! He sleeps soooooo much better that way! At night he's on his tummy snuggled against me- head in my armpit. (Unless nursing- then he's tummy-to-tummy, but turns himself back over when he's done. ) I think as long as you keep an eye on him it's OK...:
Maybe Muffin's idea of a sleep positioner will work for you, though!

[mama2rey]

Originally Posted by MmeMuffin

i got a sleep positioner for maya (by "first years" - it cost like $10, i can find the model if you're interested) and have her sleep on her side. she startles really bad on her back, but not nearly as much on her side!

Can you show it to me? I would like to try that. Reyes woke up today every hour and was soooooo fussy! Until DP held him for a 3 hour nap just holding his hands every time they startled. He woke up so calm. It was like we had a different baby. It was cool though he was cooing and vocalizing instead of crying!

[GearGirl]

i'm glad i'm not the only one, i really can't make "back to sleep" work with Calvin, he startles constantly. I try swaddling, but he always gets his arms free, he's really strong. I try side, or even tummy and it works better, but definitely worries me a little.

[YummyYumYumMama]

here you go! i got it figuring it's only $11 so if it doesn't work, not a huge deal. but it seems to help!

[SheBear]

yeah, ime, tummy sleeping makes a huge difference in the startle reflex. in fact, i once read (can't 'member where) that this the actual reason that back-to-sleep is supposed to guard against SIDS--the babies aren't able to sleep as deeply or as long, so the parent has to check on the more frequently.

personally, i would not worry for one second about tummy sleep if you are co sleeping, assuming your mattress is "safe" and all that.