Sleeping and Babywearing
Posted by: Anna on: November 16, 2010
Recently, I have been asked about babies falling asleep while babywearing. This is a good question! I thought I would share my opinion (edited to not disclose information about the original questioner). And added with more details to elaborate.
I have no problem with them being close, I follow Dr Sear’s advice as well as Gregory Popcack (Parenting with Grace) and the anthropological view that babies SHOULD be in their natural habitat, which is mom for the first 9 months out of womb. Our kids sleep on us, and with us. Sheila Kippley is another big name that shares this view. Is it really wrong for you child to associate safety and love with mom and dad? I do not think so. But again, it will depend on the parenting philosophy you prescribe to. Let me put it this way – when our children have asked for their own beds, usually around age 2, not a single one has come back to bed with us overnight. Not once. Can it be a pain sometimes? Yes. But so can getting up every 30 min to soothe a scared child. The scientific benefits of cosleeping are now well established. Remember that coseleeping does not always equate to bed sharing – though similar, they are not the same. But you have to do what you think is best. It is OK to let you baby sleep on you and with you – when using some common sense. Here is Dr Sear’s Take. Kellymom.com is another great resource. Dr. McKenna is another researcher/doctor from Notre Dame who does sleep studies of infants.
For us, that association, that safety and sleep while babywearing IS one of the main reasons we do babywear! The baby feels so snug and comforted and loved by being close to mom (or dad) and hearing their breathing and heartbeat. Many times, it is the only way our baby was able to nap or sleep without becoming overly tired or over stimulated. The joy of babywearing came in not having to stop everything while getting them to sleep. The older kids are able to continue their activity while the younger one gets a much needed nap. Wouldn’t you rather fall asleep in your spouses arms than in another room after a hard day? The association of touch while sleeping is not a bad thing in the early months. It is something people long for and crave as they grow up. It is a ‘need’ not a want for the infant. You can not spoil a baby by holding them too much, by loving them or meeting the needs. That is not possible – to spoil means to go bad. In fact, it has been shown that people need at least 4 hugs a day to survive. Touch is essential to survival. Babywearing provides that need to the infant while allowing the parents to still feel productive. Trust me, these precious days will be over all too soon, and your little one will run off without you. Enjoy these cuddles with your little one, feel peaceful that you can provide the the atmosphere or serenity to them where they feel safe, comfortable, and loved enough to be thoroughly relaxed and able to sleep. You will blink, and this phase will be over before you know it. And you children will be more secure knowing they are surrounded with love. Enjoy wearing your sleeping ones while you can!
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November 17, 2010 at 4:39 am
Very well said, love it! I miss the times when he slept in the carrier!