Do Contact Naps Before 12 Weeks Lead to Bad Sleep Habits?

As a new parent, you've probably heard the advice to avoid contact naps with your newborn. The idea is that letting your baby sleep on you will create "bad habits" and make it harder for them to learn to self-soothe and sleep independently. But is this really true? Let's take a closer look at contact naps and their impact on sleep habits.

First, it's important to understand that newborns have very different sleep needs than older babies and toddlers. In the first few months of life, babies spend a significant portion of their time sleeping - up to 17 hours per day! And a large chunk of that sleep happens in short, frequent naps, many of which are contact naps.

Newborns are biologically wired to sleep best when they're close to their caregiver. Their tiny bodies and developing brains find comfort and security in the warmth, smell, and rhythmic movements of a parent or caregiver. Forcing a newborn to sleep alone in a crib or bassinet can actually be distressing and disruptive to their sleep.

So, while it's true that contact naps may make it harder for a baby to learn to self-soothe and sleep independently later on, this isn't necessarily a bad thing in the early weeks and months. In fact, allowing your newborn to contact nap can have some important benefits:

Promotes Healthy Sleep Patterns

Newborns who are allowed to contact nap tend to get more total sleep per day. This can help prevent overtiredness, which is a common trigger for poor sleep habits and frequent night wakings.

Supports Attachment and Bonding

Holding your baby close during naps strengthens the parent-child bond and helps your little one feel safe, secure, and loved. This lays the foundation for healthy attachment, which is crucial for their development.

Reduces Stress and Fussiness

The comfort and soothing of contact naps can help calm a newborn, reducing stress and fussiness. This can make for a happier, more content baby overall.

Of course, the goal isn't to contact nap forever. At around 12 weeks, many babies start to become more alert and independent, and it's a good time to begin transitioning them to independent sleep. But in the early weeks, don't be afraid to embrace those sweet contact naps - your baby will thank you for it!