During those early stages of parenthood, there’s nothing quite like the bliss of cradling your sleeping baby against your chest. Indeed, throughout the newborn phase, most of your baby’s naps will likely involve this soothing physical connection. But are these contact naps safe? As both a pediatric sleep consultant and a mother of seven, I wholeheartedly advocate for contact naps during your baby’s first year. I treasured this bonding time with all my children; however, it’s also essential to ensure your baby gets some nap time in their crib or bassinet.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind to ensure that contact naps are safe, allowing for an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby.
What are contact naps?
Contact naps are precisely what they sound like: naps that promote skin-to-skin interaction, with you holding your baby while they sleep. This can happen in your arms, a carrier, or resting on your chest.
Babies tend to favor contact naps as they provide warmth and comfort similar to their time in the womb. These moments also stimulate the release of oxytocin for both parent and child, enriching the bonding experience, and can aid in regulating your baby’s body temperature and breathing. This is one of the primary advantages of immediate skin-to-skin contact right after birth.
Many parents find that their newborns enjoy prolonged contact naps, sometimes lasting up to three hours, while they may struggle to achieve more than 30 to 45 minutes when placed in a crib or bassinet. This is perfectly normal—the transition from the softer cushion of the womb to the firmer surface of a crib can take time!
While babies often prefer the closeness of being held, this can create challenges for parents needing a little time for themselves or a chance to rest. Consequently, parents might consider co-sleeping or bed-sharing when their baby experiences difficulty sleeping independently.
How do contact naps differ from bed-sharing?
There are several key differences between contact naps and co-sleeping or bed-sharing.
Co-sleeping refers to parents sharing a bed with their baby during naps or overnight, typically while the parents are asleep. While this practice is common in many cultures, it’s not typically recommended in the U.S. for infants under 12 months due to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Are contact naps safe?
Contact naps can be a safe option for your baby if done correctly. When facilitating a contact nap, parents should stay awake and alert to mitigate the risk of dozing off. The safest approach involves holding your baby in your arms while you sit in a rocking chair, on the couch, or on the bed while remaining fully aware.
Proper posture is essential. Ensure that your baby’s airways are clear and that they’re not slouched forward or at risk of falling off.
If you start to feel sleepy while cradling your baby, it’s advisable to place them into their crib or bassinet for a nap instead.
You can carefully transfer your baby once they’re asleep, offering support if they stir. Even a short crib nap lasting 20 to 30 minutes can be beneficial. It may take time for your baby to adjust to sleeping independently, but introducing them to the crib is crucial for this transition.
Contact naps while babywearing
You can also enjoy contact naps through babywearing, even while engaging in household tasks, taking walks, or attending events. When using a carrier for naps, it’s important to follow the “TICKS” rule:
- T: Tight enough to secure your baby close to your chest
- I: In view at all times (you should always see your baby’s face when facing inward)
- C: Your baby’s head should be high enough for you to kiss
- K: Your baby’s chin should be off their chest to maintain clear airways
- S: Their back should have constant support
When should my baby start contact napping?
Infants can begin contact napping as newborns; I usually recommend starting with one to two contact naps daily. As your child grows, aim to gradually reduce these to one per day. This is also because contact naps can become more challenging as your baby gains weight and starts to engage more with their environment.
When should my baby stop contact napping?
After the newborn phase, typically around three months old, your baby may find contact naps too stimulating and may prefer a quieter, darker environment. Many families choose this time to conclude contact naps.
To help transition to a crib or bassinet, make sure their sleeping environment is dark, cool (between 68-72 degrees F), and equipped with white noise to mask other sounds. Placing your baby down during their recommended awake window and watching for sleep cues can help prevent overtiredness and reduce the likelihood of rejecting naps altogether.
Adjusting your baby to a crib or bassinet for naps may take time; it’s not an instant transition. Consistency is vital in facilitating your baby’s adjustment to this new sleeping space, but eventually, it will fall into place. Once it does, you’ll be able to savor some much-needed solitude while your baby rests peacefully.
However, if you choose to maintain one contact nap daily throughout the first year, feel free to do so! It’s important to make decisions that work for both you and your baby, and the timing for transitioning is entirely personal.
If you’re finding the process difficult and need more tailored assistance, consider reaching out to a sleep consultant for personalized guidance.
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