Pros and Cons of Contact Naps for Newborns and Infants

Contact napping is when your baby falls asleep while being held by you—typically on your chest or in your arms. While it can be a cozy bonding experience, it raises questions for parents about safe sleep, baby development, and independence. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Contact Napping?

Contact napping occurs when your baby sleeps while directly in physical contact with you. Unlike co-sleeping, the caregiver is awake, ensuring safety.

Are Contact Naps Safe?

Yes, contact naps are generally safe if precautions are taken. The main concern is the risk of falling asleep yourself, especially on soft surfaces like a couch, which could lead to accidental suffocation or falls. Always stay awake during the nap to ensure safety.

Benefits of Contact Naps

1. Promotes deeper sleep: Babies who are held often stay in deeper stages of sleep and wake less frequently.
2. Supports bonding: Contact naps foster a secure attachment between you and your baby, which can be comforting for both.
3. Reduces crying: Close physical contact can calm a baby, making them less likely to cry.
4. Mimics the womb: The warmth, sound of your heartbeat, and gentle movement mimic the comfort of the womb, making it easier for babies to sleep.
5. May support breastfeeding: Proximity can encourage more frequent nursing, which might help with milk production and breastfeeding success.

Drawbacks of Contact Naps

1. Nap trap: Being stuck under a napping baby means missing out on personal time to do other tasks (like laundry or rest).
2. Potential for dependency: Prolonged contact napping may make it harder for your baby to learn to sleep independently.
3. Transition challenges: Babies accustomed to contact naps may resist sleeping alone in a crib, leading to longer transition times.

When to Stop Contact Napping

There’s no set age to stop contact napping, but many parents start transitioning around 4 months. By this age, babies often begin developing more consistent sleep cycles. If you’re ready to make the transition, that’s a good time to start.

Tips for Stopping Contact Naps

1. Use white noise: This helps babies adjust to sleeping in a crib by providing familiar sounds.
2. Avoid feeding to sleep: Try to break the habit of letting baby fall asleep while feeding to promote healthy sleep patterns.
3. Wake them slightly: After baby falls asleep in your arms, try placing them in their crib and gently waking them just enough to help them learn to self-soothe.
4. Practice at night: Start transitioning during nighttime sleep when babies are more likely to settle on their own.
5. Partner with daycare: If your baby attends daycare, use their routine to help with the transition to crib naps at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you spoil a baby with contact naps? No, babies can’t be spoiled by too much cuddling. They need closeness for comfort and security, and it doesn’t create bad habits.
• Do babies outgrow contact napping? Most babies gradually learn to sleep independently as they grow, but some may need more time.
• Should you wear baby for contact naps? Wearing baby in a carrier can provide the benefits of contact napping while giving you some freedom to move.

Ultimately, contact napping can be a wonderful bonding experience, but as your baby grows, it may be time to slowly introduce independent sleep methods. Trust your instincts and adjust based on what works best for you and your baby.