Contact napping, the practice of letting your baby sleep in your arms, has been a part of many cultures for centuries. While the concept may seem simple, there are numerous benefits of contact napping for both you and your baby. This article explores some of the key advantages of contact napping.
Calms Both You and Your Baby
One of the most immediate benefits of contact napping is that it calms both you and your baby. The physical closeness that occurs during a contact nap can help to reduce irritability and settle the nerves of both parents and infants. Importantly, this calming effect can also help your baby relax and drift off to sleep more quickly.
Promotes Bonding and attachment
Contact nailing is a wonderful opportunity to slow down and bond with your precious bundle. Although some parents may be concerned about their baby becoming reliant on contact naps, the emotional connection achieved through physical contact can increase your baby's feelings of security and result in a deeper sleep. Research has shown that babies who nap in their parents' arms tend to have stronger attachment and bonds, which can have lifelong benefits.
Helps with Bonding and attachment in Fathers
Kangaroo care, which involves holding your baby on your bare chest, has been shown to enhance bonding and attachment between fathers and infants. In a study published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, fathers who engaged in kangaroo care had increased oxytocin levels, which can reduce feelings of depression and anxiety and increase relaxation. This finding suggests that contact napping, which involves similar physical closeness, can also promote bonding and attachment in fathers.
Provides Comfort
For many parents, the act of being held and comforted by their baby is a primary reason for using contact naps. Newborns often rely on the calming embrace of their parents to fall asleep and stay asleep. Contact napping allows parents to provide this comforting presence that can help their babies cope with the stress and noise of the world outside the womb.
Improves Sleep Quality
Contact napping can also improve the quality of your baby's sleep. During skin-to-skin contact, most newborns easily fall asleep within a few minutes and achieve deep sleep for an hour or more, which is particularly beneficial for a baby's developing brain. By napting in your arms, your baby receives the gentle rocking motion that helps to soothe and lull them into a peaceful sleep.
Helps with Night Sleep Consistency
Contact napping can also help your baby get through the night sleep more consistently. When your baby has had a contact nap during the day, they may find it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. This consistency can help establish a good night sleep routine, which is crucial for your baby's overall development.
Reduces the Occurrence of Sleep Disorders
Recent studies have also found that contact napping may reduce the occurrence of sleep disorders in children. Contact napping has been linked to improvements in breathing patterns, heart rate, and bedtime crying in neonates, all of which can contribute to a healthier sleep cycle.
##Contact napping may not be appropriate for every baby, but it is a popular and effective method for promoting sleep in many families. Contact naps help to calm both parents and infants, promote bonding and attachment, provide comfort, improve sleep quality, and help maintain consistent night sleep. Whether it's through skin-to-skin contact, gentle rocking, or swaddling, contact napping can be a valuable tool in the parenting toolkit.
References:
- Bigelow, K., & Williams, D. (2020). To have and to hold: Effects of physical contact on infants and their caregivers. *Scatliffe, E., Hauck, B., & Gozal, D. (2019). Oxytocin and early parent-infant interactions: A systematic review. *American Academy of Pediatrics. (2016). SIDS and other sleep- related infant deaths: Updated 2016 recommendations for a safe infant sleeping environment.
