Newborn Sleeps Only in Arms: Advice from a Sleep Consultant
Many parents agree that their newborn baby needs constant contact, even during naps.
But why does the newborn only sleep in your arms? Is it the fault of the mother and father who have accustomed him as many think?
Sleep consultant Marika Novaresio answers these questions and reveals some tricks for putting your little one in the crib without waking him up in this article!
1. Why does the newborn only sleep on his arm?
To understand the newborn's need for constant contact even while sleeping, it is necessary to take a step back.
The baby spent nine months in his mother's womb, in a welcoming, warm and protected place. He learned to recognize the rhythm of his mother's heartbeat, her breathing and her voice.
At birth he suddenly finds himself in an unknown place, full of noises and lights. It is not surprising that he seeks his mother to feel safe and protected again .
Physical contact is absolutely physiological for the newborn because it is first of all a functional mechanism that has determined the survival of the species, but it also supports balanced and harmonious psychophysical development .
In fact, it is precisely thanks to the closeness between mother and child that the production of endorphins and oxytocin increases for both.
Is it a bad habit?
Surely you have heard or experienced the classic phrase “don’t always hold him in your arms or he will get used to it badly”.
Can a physiological need become a bad habit? I don't think so!
If your newborn sleeps only in your arms and you are fine with it, keep doing it. In fact, there is nothing wrong with it , but rather it is something wonderful and healthy.
2. Newborn sleeps only in arms: risks
The problem of always holding the newborn in your arms can arise as the months pass and the little one grows bigger. Therefore, it could become very tiring and exhausting to rock him to sleep and maintain the position for the entire time of his nap.
Furthermore, it can become dangerous during periods of psychophysical tiredness as it could happen that you fall asleep and accidentally drop the baby.
3. Using the band
If your newborn likes to sleep only in your arms, you can use a baby sling or baby carrier to do something else at the same time.
These devices allow parents and child to stay in contact, but also allow a certain freedom.
Some babies may need their mother’s closeness more than others, and getting them used to sleeping in a crib can seem like an impossible task. A sling can be a great ally in the transition as you try to get them used to sleeping in their own crib.