Ashwin Lewis
It is biologically normal for newborns to need contact napping, and many parents report that their babies only sleep when held. Babies, especially in the first few months of life, are still adjusting to life outside the womb and crave closeness with their caregivers. Holding your baby close promotes parent-child bonding and helps them regulate their body temperature and breathing. However, co-sleeping increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and parents should aim to establish healthy sleep habits to promote their baby's sleep independence as they grow older.
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What You'll Learn
- It's normal for newborns to seek comfort and safety by sleeping on their parents
- Babies may develop a bad sleep habit of needing to be held if this continues past 4 months
- Safe sleep guidelines must be followed to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
- Swaddling, white noise, and rocking are great ways to soothe your baby to sleep
- A consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine can help your baby sleep independently
It's normal for newborns to seek comfort and safety by sleeping on their parents
It's completely normal for newborns to seek comfort and safety by sleeping on their parents. In fact, Balinese babies are held almost constantly, day and night, according to anthropologists. In Japan, the most common sleeping arrangement involves the baby sleeping between the mother and father. However, it's important to note that co-sleeping increases the risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI), including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and fatal sleep accidents.
Co-sleeping can be intentional or unintentional. Intentional co-sleeping is when parents bring their babies into bed with them, while unintentional co-sleeping can occur when parents fall asleep on a couch or chair while holding their baby. While co-sleeping can facilitate breastfeeding, bonding, and responsiveness to babies during the night, it is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) due to the risks associated with SUDI.
To reduce the risks of co-sleeping, it is important to ensure that your baby's face and head are uncovered and that they can breathe easily. Remove any hats or hoods before sleep, and keep the baby's sleep space clear of pillows, sheets, blankets, toys, and other items that could create a strangulation risk. Additionally, avoid smoking near your baby, as exposure to second-hand and third-hand smoke increases the risk of SUDI.
Instead of co-sleeping, the AAP recommends room-sharing, where your baby's crib, portable crib, play yard, or bassinet is placed in your bedroom instead of a separate nursery. This allows you to keep your baby nearby for feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night while providing a safer sleep environment.
To help your baby sleep independently, you can establish a bedtime routine that includes soothing activities such as bathing, reading, and singing. You can also try swaddling your baby (wrapping them in a light blanket) until they start to roll over. Rocking your baby can also help soothe them and improve their sleep quality, but it's important to put them down when they're calm and drowsy rather than already asleep so they can learn to associate their bassinet or crib with sleep.
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Babies may develop a bad sleep habit of needing to be held if this continues past 4 months
It is biologically normal for newborns to need contact napping. They are used to the constant movement and swaying they experienced in the womb, and being held can provide a sense of security and comfort. However, if this continues past 3 to 4 months, it may become a bad habit that becomes harder to break as they age.
Babies who are older than 4 months and still only sleep when held may have developed a sleep association of needing to contact nap. This means they rely on being held to sleep and have not learned to self-soothe. Independent sleep is a skill that all babies are born with, but some may need extra help to get comfortable with falling asleep on their own.
To avoid this, parents can start weaning their babies off contact naps around 3 to 4 months. This is a good time to begin teaching them how to self-soothe and fall asleep independently. Babies can be encouraged to sleep independently by creating a calming sleep environment, using swaddles, and giving them time to "play" in their sleep space. Rocking bassinets, such as the SNOO bassinet, can also help soothe babies and promote sleep with womb-like motion, safe swaddling, and white noise.
Additionally, parents should be consistent with their baby's bedtime routine. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal the end of the day. It is also important to put the baby down when they are calm, drowsy, and on the verge of sleep. This will help them associate their bed with sleep and improve their overall sleep quality.
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Safe sleep guidelines must be followed to prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
It is common for babies to only fall asleep on their parents, despite swaddling and white noise. This is because they crave the rocking motion that reminds them of the womb. However, sleeping on a parent increases a baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Safe sleep guidelines must be followed to prevent SIDS. Firstly, always place your baby on their back to sleep for all sleep times, whether it is nighttime or a nap. Use a firm, flat sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and keep soft items like plush toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers away from the baby's sleep area. Dress your baby for the room temperature and avoid covering their head while they sleep.
Additionally, it is recommended to keep your baby's sleep area in the same room where you sleep, ideally until they are at least six months old. This allows for easy feeding and comforting without having to get out of bed. If you bring your baby into your bed, ensure that all soft items and bedding are removed from your side of the bed to prevent suffocation. As soon as you wake up, put the baby back in their separate sleep space.
To help your baby fall asleep independently, establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing. Bathing, reading, and singing can soothe babies and signal that it is time for sleep. You can also offer a pacifier at sleep time, but it is recommended to wait until breastfeeding is well established. Most importantly, always follow safe sleep recommendations to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths.
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Swaddling, white noise, and rocking are great ways to soothe your baby to sleep
White noise can also be effective in soothing babies to sleep. White noise machines or apps can be used to play soothing sounds, such as rain or waves, to create a calm and relaxing environment for the baby. This type of auditory stimulation can mimic the sounds babies heard in the womb, promoting comfort and aiding sleep.
Rocking or using movement is another common technique to help babies fall asleep. Newborns are used to constant movement from their time in the womb, so rocking or gentle jiggling can be soothing and calming. This technique can be done using a buggy, hammock, or even car rides when other methods seem ineffective. However, it is important to gradually teach your baby to fall asleep without relying solely on movement as they get older.
Combining these techniques with a consistent bedtime routine can help your baby associate these steps with sleeping. Bathing, reading, and singing can be part of this routine, creating a familiar and relaxing environment for your baby. It is also crucial to ensure that all sleep surfaces and products meet safety standards and that there are no hazards, such as loose items or sharp objects, in the baby's sleep area.
While it is natural to want to soothe your baby to sleep, it is important to gradually encourage them to fall asleep independently. This can be done by putting them in a crib or bassinet while drowsy but still awake, allowing them to learn to fall asleep on their own. This way, you can prevent your baby from relying solely on rocking or other movements to fall back asleep every time they wake up during the night.
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A consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine can help your baby sleep independently
It is normal for a 2-month-old baby to only sleep for 45 minutes to 1.75 hours at a time. Frequent waking and short naps are typical at this age. However, you can help your baby sleep independently by establishing a consistent sleep schedule and bedtime routine.
Firstly, it is important to be responsive to your baby's sleepy cues, feeding needs, and nap lengths. Follow your baby's "wake windows", or the amount of time they can stay awake before needing to sleep again. At 2 months old, this is typically 45 minutes to 1.75 hours, or 60-90 minutes according to another source. You can put your baby down for a nap or bedtime before their wake window closes to avoid overtiredness and bassinet refusal.
Secondly, establish a bedtime routine that is familiar and relaxing for your baby. This could include bathing, reading, singing, or swaddling. Consistency is key, as your baby will soon associate these steps with sleeping. For example, you might want to start with cuddles and a feed, followed by a walk in the stroller or carrier. After your baby's afternoon nap, it's tummy time, and then babbles in the rocker.
Thirdly, create a consistent bedroom environment. Ensure the lighting is the same at bedtime as it is throughout the night, and that the room is dark, cool, and quiet. Put your baby to bed drowsy but awake, which will encourage them to fall asleep independently and teach them to soothe themselves back to sleep when they naturally awaken during the night.
Finally, decide on a sleep space for your baby and stick to it. Babies should always sleep alone, on their backs, in a crib. Keep the sleep surface firm and flat, and cover the mattress with a fitted sheet. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet, and avoid hazards such as plush toys, pillows, blankets, and bumpers.
By following these steps, you can help your 2-month-old baby sleep independently and establish healthy sleep habits.
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Frequently asked questions
It is normal for newborns to require help falling asleep and staying asleep. Babies, especially in the first few months of life, are getting used to life outside the womb and crave the comfort and security of their primary caregivers. Skin-to-skin contact promotes parent-child bonding and helps regulate the baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature.
While it can feel sweet and comforting to have your baby sleep on you, it is important to prioritize safety. Co-sleeping on surfaces like a couch, recliner, or adult bed increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Instead, follow safe sleep guidelines: ensure your baby sleeps alone, on their back, in a crib, and in the same room as you for at least the first six months.
You can start encouraging your baby to sleep independently by establishing a consistent bedtime routine. This may include bathing, reading, or singing to soothe your baby. You can also try swaddling, which can help recreate the feeling of being held and prevent the startle reflex. You can also offer a pacifier to satisfy your baby's sucking reflex and help them self-soothe. Additionally, try putting your baby down when they are drowsy but still awake, so they learn to associate their crib or bassinet with falling asleep.
Consistency is key when establishing a bedtime routine. Maintain a consistent sleep schedule with regular sleep and wake times. Create a soothing sleep environment by keeping the room dark, cool, and quiet. You can also introduce white noise, which mimics the sounds of the womb. If your baby has reflux, feed them at the start of the bedtime routine, burp them often, and keep them upright before putting them down.
At 2 months old, infants typically take between two and four naps per day and sleep between 9 and 12 hours at night. By 6 months, most babies are physiologically capable of sleeping through the night without nighttime feedings, but 25-50% continue to awaken. Remember that every baby is unique, and factors like illness, developmental milestones, or changes in routine can temporarily disrupt sleep.
