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New parents got it bad. Because the second you come back home from the hospital, it’s just you, the baby and a whole lot of questions. How long should your baby sleep for? Are they nursing enough? Why is the second toe on their left toe twitching like that? Why are they staring at the ceiling? Your head is probably swimming with concerns based on every minute detail. But one of the biggest and most popular questions that every new parent has is “Can I hold my baby too much?” Carrying your baby is second nature to parents, and moms are hard wired to hold their baby the second they start to cry. But is it okay to do this every time they start to cry? Will your baby get too attached to you? Are you spoiling them by holding them too frequently? Should you just let them cry it out when they want to be held? Don’t worry. There’s no need to get overwhelmed. This article will help you answer these pressing questions in a simple way.
Why Do Babies Want To Be Held?
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To understand if you should hold your baby and how much, we must first understand why babies want to be held. Babies who are younger than 4 months old are in what some experts refer to as the fourth trimester. This is when your baby is getting accustomed to being outside their mother’s womb, which as you imagine, can be a confusing and overwhelming experience. After 9 months of being in a warm, safe environment that took care of their every need, the real world seems loud and cold. Not to mention that they can’t hear their mother’s heartbeat anymore which doesn’t sit well with them at all. Babies find this sound comforting. Hence their obsession with falling asleep or cuddling on top of your chest. They are just seeking that warm, safe, close environment they had when they were in the womb.
What Happens If I Hold My Baby Too Much?
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Holding your baby is a natural and important way to provide comfort, warmth, and a sense of security during their early months of life. In fact, research has shown that cuddling and close physical contact with caregivers can promote healthy emotional and social development (1). However, if you hold your baby too much, it can potentially lead to some unintended consequences.
For instance, your baby might become overly dependent on being held and may have difficulty self-soothing or adjusting to independent playtime. It’s essential to find a balance between holding and allowing your baby some independent exploration and tummy time to help them develop their motor skills and build self-confidence.
Additionally, excessive holding may leave you feeling physically exhausted and limit your ability to tend to other responsibilities or self-care. It’s crucial to involve other caregivers and family members to help share the load and ensure you have time for rest and personal needs. Ultimately, the key is to strike a balance between holding your baby to provide comfort and security while also promoting their development and gradually allowing them more independence as they grow.
What If I Can’t Hold My Baby When They Cry?
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Parents lead busy lives. Balancing work, house work and baby duties is probably the greatest magic trick in the world. So even though you might want to pick your baby up every time they cry, it’s just not realistic. Maybe you’re cooking a meal or have your hands full (literally) with work. Whatever the case may be, it’s okay if you can’t hold your baby sometimes. As long as they are in a safe and secure environment and that parent has an eye on them, you can let them cry it out. Reassure them that you’re still with them by talking to them. This will also teach them delayed gratification; a great lesson to learn from a young age. The bottom line is it’s not the end of the world if you don’t carry them once or twice.
Being a new parent can feel tricky. There are so many things to be mindful about when it comes to taking care of your little one. And it’s only natural to feel frustrated with yourself and worried that you may get it wrong. But there’s no need to hesitate when you’re going to pick up your crying baby anymore! Show your little one all the love and affection they need by keeping them close to you. As long as you give them their space to grow and explore you and your baby will be completely okay! Happy Parenting.
