How To Get Baby To Sleep Without Being Held

Baby Will Not Sleep Unless Held

Ever had this problem? You lay your baby down as gently as possible, but the second pajamas hit sheet, the screaming starts. Plop your baby back on your chest? The crying immediately stops. This common struggle exhausts parents and makes them feel…stuck.

Babies aren't dummies! They know a good thing when they find it. To him, your warm, familiar, subtly moving body is so much more welcoming than that quiet, cold, still bassinet. And while it feels very sweet (or more truthfully, like your only option) when he crashes on your body, it's actually risky to let him. Happiest Baby's founder, Dr. Harvey Karp said, "I have gotten emergency calls in the middle of the night after babies sleeping perched on mom or dad fell to the floor. Plus, co-sleeping on unsafe surfaces like couches, reclining chairs and adult beds, increase the chances of SIDS."

Things That Can Help

Many parents find that giving their babies a "4th trimester" of comforting stimulation –just by using the 5 S's – can help improve sleep. Unfortunately one of the 5 S's is not safe to use for sleep…that is the side stomach position. So if you have a baby who really loves that particular "S" you want to do the other 4 S's, even more, to try to help your baby sleep on their back.

Swaddling can help a baby feel more enveloped–like in the womb–which reduces startling and helps babies feel more comfortable on their back. Also, using the right type of rumbly white noise all night long can keep babies sleeping longer…and less dependent on sleeping on top of their parents.

Working with thousands of families, Dr. Karp recognized that many babies still prefer sleeping on top of their parents, despite being swaddled and having white noise. It was because of that that he's worked for 5 years with MIT-trained engineers to develop a bed that is highly effective at soothing babies and promoting sleep by adding womb-like motion to the best swaddling and white noise to create a sleep environment that truly give the babies a "4th trimester" of soothing care.

SNOO imitates the pulsing sounds and movement of the womb and makes baby feels "at home again," by calming crying and easing him into slumber. Yes, swaddling, rumbly white noise and dummys are great cues in their own right, but think of SNOO as a one-stop solution. In addition, after your baby has gotten to sleep, SNOO drops to a level to "maintain sleep" through the night. This is incredibly helpful to finicky babies who shun the still bed because it prevents them from rousing at any little bump in the night. And, SNOO gradually weans your baby off sound and motion by 6 months to make for an easy transition to the big kid cot. And meantime, the mom, dad and baby will be better rested and without the worries.

So while SNOO should solve your "I-Can't-Get-Him-Down" agony, you'll still want to teach your baby self-soothing skills. Thewake-and-sleep techniquedoes it best–and is a great help to all parents, whether or not SNOO is right for your family. While it sounds counterintuitive, waking your baby slightly before putting him down actually helps your guy put himself to sleep. That's the ultimate goal, for him to do it on his own without entire routine!

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.