When scrolling through some social media feeds, you are likely to come across a cute picture of a baby sleeping on the mom’s chest. This makes people ask questions like how long can a newborn sleep on my chest? Mom’s love to hold their newborns close, and babies enjoy this feeling too.
Hearing their mothers heartbeat brings about a sense of security and love in newborns, and this also helps in boosting the mother and child bond. There is a confusion regarding how long a newborn should sleep on the mothers chest, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has something to say.
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How Long Can A Newborn Sleep On My Chest
The association believes that a child shouldn’t sleep for more than one hours as this is when it is still considered very safe. However, every mother must be awake while allowing their child to sleep on their chest, and the AAP believes that falling asleep while your baby sleeps on your chest is dangerous.
This is because doing this increases the chances of sudden infant death syndrome in babies, so allowing babies sleep for too long while you are falling asleep too isn’t a healthy idea. The best place a baby can sleep comfortably and for length hours is on a firm surface inside of the bedroom.
When babies want to sleep, they should be placed on their backs as this cuts down the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in babies. Play yards, bassinets, and baby cribs are all recommended for babies to sleep in, and they should be free from toys, blankets, bumpers, and beddings.
Bearing all of these in mind, the AAP still gives a greenlight for allowing your newborn to sleep on your chest. However, this should be done only when you are awake. So go ahead and soak your newborn in all the love, warmth, and cuddle, as long as you are not falling asleep soon.
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Can I Let My Newborn Sleep On My Chest?
Just like you read in the beginning of this post, allowing your newborn sleep on your chest is acceptable and okay provided you are wide awake and not falling asleep anytime soon. The reason why parents are asked to stay awake is to cut down risk of sudden infant death syndrome and suffocation in babies.
Staying awake while allowing your newborn sleep on your chest allows you to monitor how your newborn breathes, and it also makes you ensure that your baby is sleeping in the right position. You will pay attention to the fact that their mouth and nose isn’t covered while they sleep.
This tells you it is completely unsafe for you to fall asleep while your newborn sleeps on your chest. One fact about babies is that they will thrive on comfort and closeness from their parents. and it is possible for a parent to fall asleep with their baby sleeping on their chest.
However, this might not be their intention, but being aware of the risk involved in doing this makes parents more aware and conscious of the risks involved in falling asleep while their baby sleeps on their chest.
Why Will My Newborn Only Sleep On My Chest?
The short answer to this is your heartbeat. Listening to the sound of your heartbeat is the only reason why any newborn will crave to sleep on their mothers chest, and this is based on the fact that the baby slept listening to your heartbeat for many months before delivery date.
It is okay for your baby to learn new sleeping habits or other healthy ways to sleep, and here are some tips you can try out if you want to stop your baby from sleeping on your chest alone.
- Mae use of a white noise machine
- Try making use of a swaddle
- Practice sleep training
- Make use of a zipadee-zip
Trying any of these tips we have just mentioned will cut down on your baby craving to sleep on the chest alone. These tips will help in introducing new and healthy sleeping options and habits for your newborn.
Why Do Newborns Like To Sleep On Your Chest?
Naturally, babies are programmed to sleep more or desire to sleep on your chest. Another reason why babies will enjoy sleeping on your chest is because they are used to listening to your heartbeat, smell, and voice so close to them while they sleep.
Experiencing these three things makes them feel safe, secured, and relaxed. One thing you should know is your newborn would grow, and all of these feelings might start to fade away. So it is best you enjoy the memories of your newborn sleeping on your chest alone while it lasts.
Reflux Baby Will Only Sleep On My Chest
Reflux is one condition that is very common in infants, and this condition might be as a result of weak abdominal muscles, slow digestive system, overfeeding, and low esophageal sphincter. Sleeping on your chest might not really be the right sleeping position for your reflux baby.
It is important that babies and their parents get a good amount of sleep, but the discomfort that reflux brings makes it difficult for babies to sleep. When babies find it difficult to sleep, their parents will also find it very difficult to sleep as well. A consistent bedtime routine is needed in this case.
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The easiest way to get a reflux baby to sleep is to place them in an upright position while rocking them. This will help them feel drowsy, and the chances of falling asleep comfortably is high.
It is also one of the best positions that soothe them, and rocking them in an upright position helps in dealing with reflux symptoms. Getting your baby to sleep when they are struggling with acid reflux can be very tricky, so it will be best if you talk to your child’s pediatrician.
Your doctor will be in a good position to provide you with healthy tips and tricks you can adopt to help your baby sleep more comfortably.
I am a proud mother of two, a lover and home builder. My love for children gave birth to the bestofmotherearth.com with the aim to cover topics from child health, pregnancy, parenting, family, relationship, struggles in families and also food.
