Is your baby only able to sleep if you’re holding or cradling him/her? Despite how difficult it might be for new parents to have a few minutes of peace, it’s common for very young newborns to just want to be held. The sound of a mother’s heartbeat reverberates through the baby’s body when you embrace them.
He’s got a whiff of you. He feels protected when you hold him; it brings back memories of the good old days when he was in your womb. For one thing, when you’re nearer to him, you’ll have an easier time cuddling up to him.
Benefits of Getting Babies to Sleep Without Being Held
Your baby will be able to sleep on her own
One of the first challenges you’ll encounter as a new parent is getting your baby to sleep without being carried. A baby who is taught at an early age to go to sleep on their own has an increased chance of returning to sleep if they wake up throughout the night. A baby who is used to sleeping in the arms of their parents may cry out for them when they awaken in the middle of the night.
Increases the amount of time available to the mother
Teaching your baby the ability to soothe himself or herself can be advantageous to you as well. Once your baby learns how to soothe himself, he will no longer need to be comforted by you or anybody else. However, this does not exclude your baby from crying in the future since this is the only method he can communicate with you when he is in distress.
Encourages babies to be self-sufficient.
As newborns learn to fall asleep on their own, self-soothing helps them to become more independent. Teaching them this ability at an early age also helps to build their self-confidence. Kids are then encouraged to experiment and become self-motivated.
In the Long Run, it is controlled emotional outbursts
As kids grow older, those who have mastered the art of self-soothing are better able to control their tantrums. When their parents are not there, they become less demanding and more capable of dealing with stressful situations.
5 Ways to Get Your Baby to Sleep Without Being Held
1. Place your infant in a sleepy but alert position
If your baby has always slept in your arms, it’s no surprise that he screams when he sleeps in any other position. Putting him down sleepy but aware is an excellent beginning to start changing those patterns and connections. That way, he’ll be able to fall asleep away from your arms, in the surroundings in which he’ll finally awaken.
Your baby will also come to understand that he doesn’t need to be held to sleep. As he has been accustomed to falling asleep in your arms, he finds any other method of slumber disconcerting. I put him to bed, sleepy but aware, to help him understand that it’s good to fall asleep this way.
2. Allow your infant to sleep in a comfortable position
Having spent so much time in your womb, babies feel comfortable in tight areas. It’s best to put your baby down in a cot or crib, but many parents have found better results in other, cozier areas. It’s like being “cupped” and held in your arms with them.
3. Place a heating pad or a warm water bottle in the crib to keep it warm
Your baby may have a hard time transitioning from your loving arms to a chilly, hard cot. Try this approach to make the bed as appealing as possible:
To help him get ready to sleep, place a heating pad or warm water bottle in the cot. You may, for example, warm the mattress while he breastfeeds before going to sleep. As a result, letting him go may still be a comfortable experience when the bed is just as warm and comforting.
Leaving the pad or bottle close for a few minutes before removing it will allow him to feel it still. Make sure the bed isn’t too hot for your infant before you put it to use.
4. After putting your baby down, keep your hands on them
One of the sensations of being held in physical contact with your body, such as the warmth on his chest as it brushes against yours. But as soon as you put him down, the warmth begins to disappear, leaving him exposed.
If you want to achieve the same result, use the following strategy to make the transition more seamless:
Keep your cradling arm wrapped around his body and one hand on his chest when you lay him down right before he drifts off to sleep. Maintain a light touch with his chest as long as you are able, as though you are still hugging and holding him when he is lying down.
Slowly withdraw and slip your cradling arm from beneath him as he goes off to sleep while maintaining your other hand on her abdomen. Finally, carefully take the other hand away from him so he may sleep alone.
5. Use music or white noise to help your baby sleep
Your baby will be startled awake if the room is entirely quiet. Using white noise as a sonic barrier is a good idea. It won’t only block those noises; it’ll remind him of the continual hum he experienced while in your womb, which will be comforting.
Alternatively, you might use an app or purchase a white noise machine. There are various ways to keep yourself warm, like downloading an app, playing static music, or using a fan or heater. You may use the white noise machine after you’ve put him to bed to help him sleep through the night.
Bottom Line
There are several ways to get a baby to sleep, but not all work for everyone. As a parent or caregiver, you should trust your instincts, pay attention to your baby’s indications, and seek professional assistance if you’re having difficulty.
