Herbie Murray
It can be frustrating and exhausting when your newborn baby won't sleep on their back. This is a common issue for new parents, and there are several reasons why your baby might be struggling to sleep flat. Firstly, newborns crave closeness and comfort, often preferring to sleep on their parent's chest. They are biologically predisposed to want to sleep close to you and don't yet understand that they are separate from you. Additionally, babies born via C-section or quick delivery may want to stay in the foetal position, curled up like they were in the womb. Babies with reflux may also experience discomfort when lying flat on their backs due to the contents of their stomach moving back up into the oesophagus. Other factors that can contribute to reflux include their all-liquid diet and the amount of time they spend lying down.
Why does my newborn hate sleeping flat?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Biological predisposition | Crave closeness and comfort |
| Physiological flexion | Returning to the foetal position |
| Reflux | Discomfort when lying on their back |
| Hunger | Resist sleeping on their backs |
| Time of day | Trying to settle the baby too early in the evening |
| Safety | Babies are safer sleeping on their backs |
| Other | Babies may be used to sleeping in a caregiver's arms |
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What You'll Learn
- Babies crave closeness and comfort, often preferring to sleep on their parent's chest
- Newborns may be hungry and resisting sleep if they aren't adequately fed
- Babies with reflux experience discomfort when lying on their back
- C-section or quick deliveries may result in babies wanting to stay in the foetal position
- It may be too early in the evening for your newborn to sleep
Babies crave closeness and comfort, often preferring to sleep on their parent's chest
It is completely normal for newborns to only want to sleep on their parents' chests. In fact, it is common for babies to crave closeness and comfort, especially in the first few weeks of life. They are biologically predisposed to want to sleep close to you and don't yet know that they are separate from you, so they want to be held by you all the time.
Babies also feel more secure sleeping on their tummies, but this sleep position is linked to a much higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts recommend always putting your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm and flat surface, within a separate sleep space located in the same room as the parents. This is because babies who sleep on their backs are much less likely to die of SIDS.
However, this can be challenging for parents, as newborns are adjusting to a regular sleeping pattern and may not be ready to sleep on their own yet. Additionally, babies with acid reflux may resist being put down flat on their backs to sleep. They may feel uncomfortable due to the contents of their stomach moving back up into the oesophagus. To help with reflux, feed your baby while they are upright, burp them often, and keep them in a sitting position for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding.
To help your baby sleep on their back, you can try swaddling them, giving them a pacifier, or using white noise. Rocking your baby can also help, as it is reminiscent of the jiggling they experienced in the womb. If your baby is struggling to sleep on a flat surface, try warming their sleep space with a heating pad or warm water bottle before laying them down.
Remember, it is important to gradually transition your baby to sleeping in their crib. You can make their sleep space more familiar and comforting by tucking an old t-shirt or another piece of material that smells like you under the crib mattress.
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Newborns may be hungry and resisting sleep if they aren't adequately fed
Newborns generally sleep about 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, waking up frequently for feedings both day and night. A 1- and 2-month-old should get about the same amount of sleep, 14 to 17 hours a day, broken into eight to nine hours of nighttime sleep and another seven to nine hours of daytime sleep over the course of several naps. A 3-month-old needs 14 to 16 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period.
It is important to differentiate between day and night for newborns. This can be done by limiting daytime naps to three hours and making clear distinctions between day and night, such as keeping the baby's room dark when they nap and avoiding turning on the TV during nighttime feedings. Most 2- to 3-month-old babies, particularly breastfed ones, still need to feed at least once or twice during the night. However, waking up every two hours for feedings is typically unnecessary and not advisable.
It is also worth noting that newborns are biologically predisposed to want to sleep close to their caregivers and crave constant touch. They may prefer to sleep on their parent's chest or in their arms while breastfeeding or with a bottle in their mouths. They may also be accustomed to being rocked to sleep and only being placed in their bed when they are already asleep. While this behavior is okay during the first few months, these bedtime habits need to be modified once the infant does not need to be fed every couple of hours.
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Babies with reflux experience discomfort when lying on their back
It is common for newborns to only nap in their caregiver's arms in the first few weeks of life. However, this can be challenging for parents, especially when the baby hates sleeping flat. One possible explanation for this is reflux.
Reflux in babies occurs when food or milk travels back up the food pipe from the stomach to the oesophagus, often resulting in spitting up or vomiting. This happens because the ring of muscle between the oesophagus and stomach is not yet fully developed in babies, allowing food or milk to flow back up easily. Reflux is very common in babies, with about 50% of infants up to 3 months old experiencing it at least once a day, and it usually resolves by itself as the baby's digestive system develops.
Babies with reflux may experience discomfort when lying on their back due to the pressure exerted on their stomach. This can cause the stomach contents to flow back up, leading to spitting up or vomiting. To alleviate this, it is recommended to feed the baby while they are upright, burp them frequently, and keep them in a sitting position for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding. This allows gravity to keep the stomach contents down.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the baby is adequately fed and getting enough nutrients. Babies with reflux may struggle to take in enough nutrients due to frequent spitting up or vomiting. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional, who may suggest changes to the feeding routine, such as shorter but more frequent feeds or the use of special formula for babies with cow's milk protein allergy.
While reflux is usually harmless and resolves within the baby's first year, it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). If you notice any concerning symptoms, such as blood in the vomit, poor weight gain, or frequent ear infections, it is important to seek medical advice.
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C-section or quick deliveries may result in babies wanting to stay in the foetal position
It is common for newborns to resist sleeping flat on their backs, and this can be due to various reasons. One reason could be that they are used to sleeping in the foetal position in the womb, especially if they were born via a quick delivery or C-section. C-sections are often recommended when a fetus is in a breech or abnormal position, and in such cases, the baby may not have had enough time to turn into the ideal position for birth.
Babies born via C-section sometimes experience breathing problems due to the remaining amniotic fluid in their lungs, which usually clears up within the first few days. Additionally, C-section deliveries can put babies in a state of shock, making them want to stay in the familiar foetal position.
To help your newborn sleep flat, you can try various methods. One method is to ensure they are adequately fed, as hunger can be a reason for resisting sleep. You can also try using white noise during their bedtime routine, as it can help them fall asleep faster and sleep longer. Rocking your baby can also be soothing, as it reminds them of the comforting jiggling they experienced in the womb.
Another suggestion is to change their position in the crib each day. You can place their head towards the head of the crib one day and then towards the foot of the crib the next day. This will give them a different view and encourage them to move their head to look around. It is also important to provide supervised "tummy time" when they are awake, as this helps prevent flat spots on their heads and promotes overall physical development.
Remember, it is always recommended to consult your baby's doctor if you have any concerns or if the flat spot persists.
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It may be too early in the evening for your newborn to sleep
It is important to remember that newborns are still adjusting to a regular sleeping pattern. They generally sleep about 14 to 17 hours in a 24-hour period, waking up frequently for feedings both day and night. A newborn's nocturnal ways should correct themselves as they adjust to life outside the womb, but there are a few things you can do to help them differentiate between day and night.
Firstly, it may be that you are trying to settle your baby to sleep too early in the evening. Newborns can have very late bedtimes. If your baby sleeps in a cot at night but will only sleep with contact during the day, this is normal. It can be helpful to get your baby into a regular pattern of sleep, so they come to expect sleep at certain times of the day.
Additionally, newborns are biologically predisposed to want to sleep close to you. They don't yet know they are separate from you, so they want to be held by you all the time. This is why they often prefer to sleep on their parent's chest. You can try to settle your baby by having the side of the crib down and offering comfort at arm's length. You could also try putting a piece of clothing that smells like you under the crib mattress, so your baby can reach and smell it without being able to pull it over their face.
It is also important to note that babies feel more secure sleeping on their tummies, but this sleep position is linked to a much higher incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Experts recommend always putting your baby to sleep on their back on a firm and flat surface. However, if your baby has acid reflux, they may resist getting put down flat on their back. To help with this, always feed your baby while they are upright, burp them often, and keep them in a sitting position for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding.
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Frequently asked questions
It is natural for newborns to crave closeness and comfort, often preferring to sleep on their parent's chest. They are biologically predisposed to want to sleep close to you and they don't yet know they are a separate entity from you.
The Lullaby Trust provides clear guidance that the safest sleeping position for babies at night is on their back, on a firm and flat surface, within a separate sleep space located in the same room as the parents.
Here are some tips to help your newborn sleep on their back:
- Feed your baby while they are upright, burp them often, and keep them in a sitting position for 20-30 minutes after feeding.
- Warm their sleep space using a heating pad or warm water bottle, then remove it before laying the baby down.
- Turn on some white noise during your baby's bedtime routine and keep it on all night long.
It is important to get your newborn into a regular sleep pattern so that they come to expect sleep at certain times of the day. You can also try putting a mobile on the side of the crib facing the room to encourage your baby to look that way.
