The new adventures of Houdini Baby...
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4934
Printed Date: 02 October 2025 at 6:45am
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Topic: The new adventures of Houdini Baby...
Posted By: jax
Subject: The new adventures of Houdini Baby...
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 11:43am
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aka Miss Erin Bird.
Our 'new' routine has been going well, with her now sleeping from 7:30pm to 6:30/7am. We ran into a hiccup last night though, where I woke up twice to her having houdini'd out of her wrap AND trying to turn over inside her safety sleep. I'm not 100% sure I want to pin her to it, although I'm ok with not wrapping her as she seems to get her arms free anyway. I guess my "question" is whether putting her in a sleeping bag would help, ie: minus covers and / or safety sleep? And in the end, if she manages to turn over (sans safety sleep), should I just let her sleep on her tummy? She has no problems holding her head up or turning it from side to side etc... Ultimately, I'm just trying to find the solution that will allow all of us to get unbroken sleep, as even though I am up for just a couple of minutes at a time to resettle her, I still have to get up in the morning and feel like death warmed up. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated ladies, TIA ! ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater 
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Replies:
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 12:24pm
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Just a side note:
Am trialling Erin now during her nap time with a sleeping bag on, and the safety sleep, but no wrap to hold her arms down. I can hear her chattering away to her mobile at the moment, and hopefully she will nod off soon ! ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: james
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 1:08pm
james started sleeping in a sleeping bag at that age aswell jax and he sleep fine but he never rolled in his sleep but now the prob is that hes to long for his sleeping bag its a tigger one and i still cant let it go ------------- <a href="http://lilypie.com"><img src="http://b4.lilypie.com/nLJ5p13.png" alt="Lilypie 4th Birthday Ticker" border="0" /></a> |
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 1:13pm
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perhaps contact your local Plunket Rooms? Our local one has a "sleep group" session where you can go in a discuss your "problem" and brain storm with other mums and nurses etc.
My only thought is that if Erin REALLY wants to sleep on her tummy, and no matter how you try to stop her she tries to turn and wakes the house up in the process... is it such a bad thing to sleep on your tummy at 5 months old? Remember how often the recommendations change (both myself and DH slept on our tummies as babies and still do, we're ok). A recommendation is exactly that - not the rule. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
 
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Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 1:28pm
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my girls are both tummy sleepers no matter how much i tried for them not to be, Paris would roll over in her safety sleep and i started worrying that myabe that would actually hinder her being able to get back onto her back or lift her face if she needed to, so stopped using it, but started again when we moved her to a bed to stop her getting out, lol. (didn't work, she managed to houdini out of that one too!) With Ayja we didn't use a safety sleep, but she tummy sleeps all the time too. usually when i go to bed I just go and roll her back onto her back or side and put her back under the covers (for my own piece of mind so i can sleep) but she always is on her tummy when we got to get her in the mornings, same as we used to do that with Paris too, they almost never wake up - if they do it was probably likely that they were going to anyway. I think my girls were a teency bit older though when they started that, maybe 9/10 months.
I think that sleep group sounds like a good idea. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: BabyCam
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 1:31pm
| That sounds just like my little monster. He has actually managed to roll in the saftey sleep. Our problem is that he rolls on to his tummy but wont settle, he just wont put his head down, so we have to go in roll him over and wrap him up. Its such a pain. I would love for him to sleep on his tummy but he just wont. |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 1:53pm
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My 'personal' Plunket nurse would be of no help, although there is a family centre reasonably close by.
The thing is that I know what the problem is - Erin wants to roll over. The reason that I'm so anxious about it though (besides being prone to anxiety) is just because it is so drummed into us that babies need to sleep on their backs - and I *do* understand the SIDS risks and all that. The sleeping bag / safety sleep combo didn't work - about an hour after I'd put her down (this avo) I started to hear whimpering, and she was trying to turn over ! I swear I'd done the safety sleep up as tight as I could (without making her too uncomfortable), but she was trying hard out anyway - and not sleeping in the process. I know re-wrapping her is no good, no matter how well or tightly we've tried to do it, in the last few days she will always get out of it. There is one more 'nap' to come today before overnight bedtime, and I will just take the safety sleep off the cot altogether. If THAT doesn't work, then I'm off to the parents centre, or the worry over this will eat me alive (and that's bad ! LOL). Broken sleep just doesn't work for me, and it makes Roland grumpy too - which I hate just as much ! I'm sorry if this sounds like a neurotic ramble, in my head I can work things out ok, but then my emotions and hormones get out of control and it's all downhill from there... As I mentioned, all advice is VERY much appreciated, and I will definitely keep you all updated. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 2:08pm
Ella is a tummy sleeper, and has been since 6.5/7 months. If she is trying to get there, it might be more comfortable for her. They do change recommendations all the time, wasn't it when we were young they were saying to sleep babies on their tummies? Well we survived, didn't we? 
I do understand what you're saying, but sometimes what the experts say isn't always best for your baby, as babies are all different. If you want to give it a go, just keep checking on her to make sure she's okay.. Ella could turn her head from the day we brought her home from hospital! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 2:38pm
| Sorry i have no advice Ella has always been good and stayed on her back i hope you get answers soon. |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 2:51pm
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Hannah is a tummy sleeper as well - in a sleeping bag and safety sleep and she can still get onto her tummy! The safety sleep is only on when she goes to bed to stop her standing up, when I go to bed I undo it.
Jax, my advice would be to just see how she goes in the sleeping bag like you are planning, and try not to worry about the tummy sleeping. If she is strong enough to get onto her tummy in the first place, she will be strong enough to move her head if she cant breathe. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 2:51pm
Hey Jess, so you're saying babies who prefer their tummies are not good?  ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 3:08pm
Ouch. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Jezsika wrote:Posted By: Sarah Beth
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 3:19pm
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from my tired memory form antenatal the problem with stomach sleeping with young babies is that they can't lift or turn their heads as they have no head control so to speak. If Erin can lift her head, she will should she run into trouble I would think. I am no expert however and haven't even been through all this! ------------- "> 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 4:00pm
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oh nah im just saying that i havent had any probs. Im not saying erin is norty im just saying that she hasnt done what your having a problem with.
Easy to take things the wrong way on the internet. |
Posted By: emeldee
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 7:39pm
*sigh* give it 16-18 years and it will be the reverse - only the *bad* girls will stay on their backs... ANYWAY - as a bad tummy sleeper, married to another bad tummy sleeper with three bad tummy sleeper boys I have to say that there are much worse things than tummy sleeping. The main concern with tummy sleeping is suffocation and Erin is a strapping girl with strong neck muscles and a great survival instinct. You and Roland aren't smokers, your house is well ventilated and Erin has no other health concerns. Back in the dark ages when I was a baby Mums were told to sleep their kiddies on their sides or tummies to avoid babies choking if they upchucked while on their backs - when Sean was a baby he slept on his side and they even had safety equipment to keep them that way. Take the baby advice with a grain of salt and go with your instincts. All will work out well - really. And remember, there is always the Plunket family centre at Milford for extra help.
Here's a piccie taken yesterday of my bad-boy during his morning nap yesterday...  ------------- |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:12pm
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Awww cute! I "second" what everyone else has said. If she's so determined to be on her tummy, and has good head control (as she obviously has), then I'd let her be. SIDS is really about young babies who can't move their head.
Some babies prefer to not be wrapped over summer anyway because it gets so hot. Erin's well old enough to regulate her temperature without being wrapped. So go for it, just do a couple of checks (like when you go to bed) for your peace of mind and let her choose. ETA: I hope that doesn't sound bossy, it's just meant to be my opinion.... I'm a bit tired tonight and thinking how to phrase things is a bit difficult  -------------  |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:23pm
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Thanks Maree - what a gorgeous photo !
We are going to try the sleeping bag / safety sleep combo for tonight, DH was a bit freaked out by the idea of just 'letting her loose' but he is also on duty if she wakes during the night ! (Work or no work!) ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: Rachael21
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:27pm
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I couldn't understand if Erin rolls over by herself or just tries. If she rolls over on her own I would maybe try stop the wrapping and let her choose how she sleeps.
I know you want her to sleep right thru but if you are only up for a few minutes each time you will get used to it but lets hope she starts sleeping thru. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:41pm
| Just wondering have you tried safety sleeping her on her side? I did that with Ella one night when she kept chucking and she slept really well. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:45pm
I could totally take that the wrong way coz it sounds harsh via the world of the internet but you could mean it another way but then again who knows?
FFS i was not stating Erin is a bad baby for tummy sleeping! |
Posted By: Two Blondinis
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 8:53pm
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I think this good child = back sleeper v's Bad child = Tummy sleeper" has got a bit out of hand! I don't think that's what Jess meant at all.
So is my baby good or bad for sleeping on her side only - gets there herself no matter if she is wrapped, strapped (in a safety sleep) or wedged?!?!? *walks off muttering about people misreading posts to suit own agenda* ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 9:09pm
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I second that post Toni. Surely we dont have to watch every little word we type, thats the great thing about this forum, normally we can all take things with a grain of salt and read comments for what they are, just comments.
Anyway Addison has started rolling onto her tummy too, except she somehow lies the wrong way as in across the cot and then gets up to the very top and onto her tummy so she in wedged in and then wakes up. I was going to try the safety sleep but maybe that wont even hold her! |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 9:18pm
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Hehe i let Ella loose in the morning when shes awake to fuss around in the cot for awhile and i went in one morning and she was across the cot feet sticking through the crib bars and had a HUGE grin on her face! They certainly are cheeky!
Anyway back to the ORIGINAL content of this thread. If shes gonna roll onto her tum jax and you cant stop her, if shes strong enough she will be fine, and from what i have read on here she is pretty strong. Last resort would maybe be pinning her in? |
Posted By: aimeejoy
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 9:20pm
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Robyn - I have the safety sleep pinned together underneath the mattress (as Hannah can stand up and pull the ends out from underneath) and then the actual bit around baby is pinned together as well. She can still roll around but cant turn around or move up and down. ------------- Aimee Hannah 22/10/05 Greer 11/02/08 |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 9:41pm
| hmmm might give it a go then. I had to move her toy that hangs on the side of the cot because i went in this morning and she had her head stuck underneath it (could still breath etc.. wasnt dangerous just very uncomfortable) just got to find the safety sleep in amongst the 20 odd boxes in the garage we havent unpacked since moving! |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 10:44pm
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Erin would roll if the safety sleep wasn't stopping her, and I'm sure eventually she will roll inside the safety sleep. I can't put my finger on it but part of me is uncomfortable with pinning her into it *shrug* who knows, maybe a fear of safety pins?
And I know I didn't write about this in my original post as it is not really part of the problem I was asking about - but I don't feel I should get used to broken sleep as it plays almighty havoc with my anxiety disorder, whether the break in sleep is for an hour or for two minutes. Ultimately she is actually a really good sleeper and this has only cropped up in the last couple of days, I pray that in a couple more days Erin will settle down again and I will look back and laugh at how worked up I am / was. As far as mis-reading posts goes, I must say I mis-read Jess' post, I felt at the time like it implied Erin was being "naughty" in a way - whether it was Jess' intention to write it that way or not. I think my point here is that while Robyn is right and we shouldn't have to watch every little word, we do need to be aware of how stressful some situations can be, and how what we have to say might affect the balance of things. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 20 December 2006 at 10:45pm
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PS - I am still incredibly grateful for the support I am getting, AND the different perspectives from each one of you. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 9:20am
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*lightbulb moment*
I am such a dimwit !
After reading another post in this section it hit me - Erin's disrupted sleep is probably from teething, argh ! It would make total sense, and so I really really really really REALLY hope it passes soon. *sigh* Oh, and I say this now because she woke last night, but when I went in to check on her it didn't appear that she'd been trying to turn over as far as I could tell... Now, where's that bl**dy baby instruction manual... I'm sure I left it lying around here somewhere !!!  ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: my2angels
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 9:30am
| hehe good one Jax. Thats whats been happening with Addison i think. |
Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 9:49am
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Hey Jax Alan started turning to his tummy at about 5 month's I just rolled him when I went to bed each night.
Thank's for starting this post tho we are having trouble with Mikey and sleeping so got some great idea's. As far as the teething goes "PAMOL" I know it not good to use all the time, but for a couple of nights to get her back to sleeping through the night might not hurt. We have often given it to Alan for teething with no problem's. Hope thing's work out for you and you get your full night sleep. Oh and want to reassure you. You are doing an awsome job with Erin. I am also alot like you must have my full night sleep or it really stuff's me around emotionally as well. So I totally agree you don't have to get use to it. You are an awsome chick have really enjoyed reading your many post's.------------- Deborah Mum to:   
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Posted By: 11111
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 9:56am
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Oh hope that not sound too bossy with the pamol thing it just an idea don't want anyone to take it the wrong way. ------------- Deborah Mum to:
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 2:10pm
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I was going to suggest Pamol too. I don't like using Pamol etc too much, maybe it stems from me not using much Panadol as I grew up cause I could only swallow it if I crushed it in water and believe me, it tastes horrible!
But I did use Pamol recently for Briona who is cutting molars, just two nights in a row then everything settled down and she went back to sleeping through. My position on rolling over at nights is simply this: if I put my babies in a safety sleep I'm going to have to wean them off it eventually, and the earlier they get used to sleeping without it the less problems I'll get when it comes to the big move from cot to bed. (By earlier I'm meaning by 6-10 months though.) ------------- |
Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 4:58pm
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Going to try the Pamol tonight for sure ! Thanks for that idea ladies. I mean, I know I should have thought if it seeing as how I have an ENORMOUS bottle of it around here somewhere LOL
And I think it's easier for me sometimes to quell the anxieties I get over sleeping (her AND me!) if I know it's for a "reason"... Um, that might not make much sense - but Nikki will know what I mean 
Plus I went to counselling today and got a whole lot of other stuff out (besides baby issues), so feeling much much better. ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 8:51pm
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Bonjela is my friend hehe Just have to get it past Ellas tounge onto her gums before it gets slurped off my finger
I so wish sometimes there was a baby manual Like last night when she was SCREAMING like she was dying from hunger after being fed lots of solids and a bottle after 3 hours where normally she will go easy through the night if not 6 hours.
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 10:49pm
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Jax, I sent you a PM, not sure if you got it or not though? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: jax
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 10:55pm
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Yup, I got it, and replied... ? ------------- Jacquie - Mama to Erin, 13.07.06 - Chief Cat Chaser & Marmite Sammie Eater
Love many, trust few, harm none. ~Anon~ |
Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 10:57pm
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Okay that's cool.. didn't get it though, weird.. was just checking as I had trouble before with PMs not going through ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: meow
Date Posted: 21 December 2006 at 11:11pm
umm.. okay  just realised my inbox was full and I hadn't deleted the messages yet sorry!------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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