Does your baby cry when it's time to put him in the crib? Here are some possible reasons why your baby always wants to be held.
In this article, you'll read:
- Why do babies always want to be held?
- Tips to ensure baby's long and restful sleep
Do you struggle with putting your baby down in his crib every day? You're not alone, mama. A lot of moms also encounter this with their babies.
For this reason, we asked the advice of our resident TAP doctor, Dr. Gellina Suderio-Maala. Doc Gel is a pediatrician from the University of Perpetual Help Medical Center in Las Pinas City to clue us in on this common dilemma among moms.
Reasons why your baby always wants to be held
According to Doc Gel, a baby who always wants to be held is not really a problem. Because at this age, it's normal for them to seek the comfort and warmth they feel in your embrace.
"There are really babies who always want to be carried because they feel the comfort. It's also normal for them to want to be held all the time because, during the newborn stage, the baby's senses are being developed. So the sense of touch is really important and it's great if they are always looking for it," Doc Gel explained in Filipino. "It may seem difficult, especially when you think about all the chores that you have to finish. But it's okay, because your baby is just looking for comfort and security, that's why they always want to be held. And they also like the warmth they feel against your skin," she added.
Another possible reason why your baby doesn't want to be put back in her crib or down on the bed, especially when she fell asleep after breastfeeding is that she wasn't able to burp properly.
"If a baby gets enough milk after feeding, the tendency is they get very sleepy. This is especially true when they are full. If you notice that your baby is restless and fussy when you put her down after she falls asleep after feeding, that can mean that you have not burped her properly," said Doc Gel.
This is probably one of the reasons why your baby wakes up the moment you put her down after she fell asleep in your arms.
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"Hindi mo panghihinayangan na parati mong karga ang baby mo"
Does your baby always want to be carried? Here's what you should do
1. Make sure you burp her after feeding.
If your baby falls asleep while breastfeeding, Doc Gel's advice is to burp her first. You can do it by carrying her in an upright position and resting her head on your shoulder or chest while gently tapping her back. You can also try these other burping positions:"One position you can do is put the baby in your lap like in a sitting position. Make sure that one hand supports your baby's chest and neck area, while the other hand is gently tapping baby's back," Doc Gel suggested. "Just continue with the gentle taps until you hear a loud burping sound coming from your baby," she added.
The pediatrician also reminds parents that the taps should be firm but gentle. Because a loud hit on the baby's back might injure her lungs.
The goal in tapping is to release air bubbles that might be trapped in your infant's stomach. Because if this stays in her tummy, she will feel fussy and irritable and you'll have an even harder time putting her down in her crib.
Doc Gel also stresses the loud burping sound that you should hear to make sure that your baby has burped. And you can still burp your child even if she's asleep, so there should be no reason not to do it. In fact, ensuring that your baby has burped can add to her having a long and restful sleep.
2. Swaddle your child
Another trick that can help put your baby down without a fuss is by swaddling him. Swaddling refers to wrapping the baby's body snuggly in a cloth or baby blanket which mimics the feeling of being held.
“You can do swaddling. It can add heat sa baby on your baby when he sleeps, and pag comfort as well. Especially when you start swaddling him as a newborn because it mimics the natural environment inside the mother's womb. Your baby will feel security, warmth and comfort with swaddling if you do it at an early age," says Doc Gel.
3. Create a conducive sleeping environment for your child
Finally, to help your baby sleep soundly, make sure that his environment is comfortable and conducive to sleeping. Make sure that the room is in the right temperature - not too hot and not too cold. Avoid loud noises as well. Most of all, the room has to be clean and free from elements that might put baby's health at risk.
"To help them get comfy and learn how to sleep soundly, part of that is making environment comfortable for them, very relaxed,” said Doc Gel.
Mommies, don't worry if your baby always wants to be held. It's normal at this stage. Asking you to carry them all the time is just their way of adjusting to the outside world, and also a way for them to show how much they love having you around.
However, if you notice anything strange or unusual with your baby's actions, don't hesitate to consult her pediatrician about it.
For additional tips and information about taking care of your newborn, check out the newborn safety video in the media section of theAsianparent app. It also features articles that can help you in your motherhood journey. You can download it for free on Google Play and the Apple Store.
Click here to read the original version of the article in Filipino.