Contact naps are a popular method among new parents to help their infants sleep better and bond with them. However, as your baby grows, they may develop a preference for their own sleep space, which can make contact naps less effective. In this article, we'll explore the benefits and drawbacks of contact naps, as well as provide tips for handling transitions away from contact naps.
Contact Naps: Benefits and Drawbacks
Benefits:
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Bonding and Emotional Security: Contact naps allow parents and infants to establish a close physical connection, which can increase emotional security and promote bonding.
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Regulation of Sleep:
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Infants who nap in close proximity to their parents are less likely to wake up in the middle of the night due to the regulatory effects of skin-to-skin contact.
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This close physical closeness can also aid in regulating your baby's heart rate, breathing, and body temperature, which is crucial for growth and comfort.
Drawbacks:
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Over-Tiredness and Night Waking: If a baby is excessively tired, they may be reluctant to nap in their own space, leading to night wakings.
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Maternal Fatigue: Contact naps can be demanding, and if you have other children or require time for yourself, frequent contact naps can lead to fatigue and decreased enjoyment of motherhood.
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Developmental Milestones: Contact naps are beneficial for the developmental milestones of young infants. As your baby ages and becomes more mobile, they may exhibit reluctance to nap in their cribs, leading to challenges with independent sleeping.
Transitioning Away from Contact Naps
Tips:
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Create an Age Appropriate Routine: Establishing regular sleep times and cues, such as turning off the lights or playing white noise, can help prepare your baby for naps in their own space.
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Choose a Soothing settling Method: Switching to a crib or bassinet with a supportive sleep surface or using a sleep cradle can help baby settle more easily in their own bed or crib.
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Gradually Wean: Gradually reduce the frequency of contact naps while increasing days in the crib, so宝宝 becomes accustomed to self-soothing.
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Encourage Self-Comfort: Encourage your baby to have a comforting object, such as a blanket or pacifier, to help them transition to self-soothing during sleep.
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Consistency is Key: Avoid confusing your baby by maintaining a consistent sleep routine and ensuring that contact naps are a regular occurrence rather than stopping and starting.
Conclusion
Contact naps can be a useful tool for bonding and helping infants sleep better, particularly in the early months of life. As your baby grows, they may develop a preference for their own sleep space. Understanding how to handle transitions away from contact naps is crucial for helping your baby establish healthy sleep habits and promoting a fulfilling partnership with your little one.
Resources
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment.
Bigelow and Williams. (2020). To have and to hold: Effects of physical contact on infants and their caregivers.
Scatliffe, et al. (2019). Oxytocin and early parent-infant interactions: A systematic review.
Motherly. (n.d.). How to wean contact naps: Tips for peaceful transition.