Healthy and adequate sleep for an infant is the most important factor in its development. For proper sleep, it is necessary to create comfortable conditions, which parents should take care of. The most complete and correct sleep for a newborn is in his crib, but what to do if your child falls asleep only in your arms?
Reasons for baby sleeping in arms
There are several reasons for anxiety in children. If a child has colic or increased excitability, then he seeks protection, of course, in the arms of his mother.
Nature has established a close and strong bond between mother and child, which draws them to each other. Close contact with the mother, especially in the first months of the baby’s life, is of great importance for the formation of the newborn’s character. It has been proven that children who were carried in their arms are more independent, successful and inquisitive at an older age. A child deprived of the affection of his mother's hands can grow up timid, fearful, and withdrawn. Now your baby needs you. Very little time will pass, he will grow up and will no longer need you so much.
If, without any serious reason, the child does not get away with it, then this can already be called a habit. Sometimes this is facilitated by a family environment - negative emotions, extraneous noise, uncomfortable room temperature. Parents and others should help create a favorable and calm environment for the baby.
The habit of falling asleep only in your arms needs to be gradually eliminated. The baby must learn to be in his own space, and the mother must have free hands to do household chores. Staying in the crib develops patience, self-confidence and independence in the baby.
Child psychologists are confident that following a certain ritual promotes normal and restful sleep. You need to accustom your baby to this from the first days. Bathing with the addition of chamomile, lavender or valerian is suitable for this. After this, give your child a relaxing massage with light stroking movements. Rock him, tell him a story or sing a lullaby. Do this every day and at the same time. Gradually, the baby will develop the feeling that everything is in order and going correctly. Your baby's sleep will be timely and restful.
Getting rid of the habit of falling asleep in your arms is not easy, regardless of the reason. For the first time, you can use a design for carrying the baby - a sling. The baby will be close to the mother, while she can calmly go about her business. This can be used as a temporary measure from moving from hands to crib.
The cause of restless sleep and the desire to calm down in your arms may be a consequence of increased excitement the day before. To solve this problem, follow some rules:
- do not allow the child to become overexcited;
- when the baby is awake, give him as much care and a sense of calm as possible;
- practice co-sleeping (lower the side of the crib and move it close to you)
Personal experience of parents
The topic of falling asleep in your arms is actively discussed on forums on the Internet and on social networks.
Victoria Sergeevna advises putting the baby in the stroller first, and then transferring it to the crib. The stroller rocks well and calms the baby. She also recommends feeding the baby in the crib and changing clothes there, so that after that he falls asleep peacefully.
Svetlana Kutlugildina says that the baby calms down in the crib if he is dressed warmly and a diaper is placed on his chest.
Marina Gold advises buying a vibrating bed for your baby.
Marina Rubtsova , sharing his experience, believes that there is only one way out - to put the baby in bed with you.
Victoria Bogdanova I used a sling to solve the problem.
Olga She didn’t do anything and continued to carry her in her arms until the child lost the habit. She asked relatives to help with household chores. The child grew up calm and sociable
