Putting your baby down in his crib once he’s asleep is often a real challenge. This perinatal nurse shares her magic trick for successfully completing this challenge.
Every parent has experienced this moment. You’ve just put your baby to sleep in your arms, but he wakes up when you put him in his bed. And there you have it, you just have to start all over again. So, to succeed in this dreaded transition from arms to bed, this pediatric and perinatal nurse reveals her ultra-simple technique.
First of all, it is important not to forget that it is completely normal and common for a baby to only want to fall asleep in their parents’ arms. When a baby is born, he needs to find the warmth, closeness and smell that he enjoyed for 9 months in his mother’s womb. This may seem confusing at first for young parents, but know that putting your baby to sleep in your arms does not give him bad habits. On the contrary, it preserves the bond of attachment and allows your child to grow up in complete serenity. So relax on the subject.
On the other hand, once your baby is sound asleep, you may need to put him in his crib so that he can sleep comfortably and you can go about your various activities. This is where things usually get tricky… When you are about to transfer your baby to his crib, he wakes up, it’s inevitable!
Specializing in pediatrics, perinatality and baby sleep, Audrey Ndjave aka Audrey_hmb on Instagram publishes her tips and tricks daily to more than 300,000 subscribers. To help you, this nurse has shared her method to keep your little one asleep when you put him in his bed.
First, take the time to swaddle your baby in a swaddle so that he feels safe, like in a cocoon. Then, make sure that baby is sound asleep, then make sure that his feet touch the mattress first, and finally, have the rest of his body follow, with his head placed last. Then turn your baby on his side and gently pat his back. Gently put him back on his back while maintaining contact with him, by placing a hand on his chest for example.
The professional explains that this method is the first tip she gives to parents who come to see her for a consultation. Also, remember to be patient. This technique may not work the first time, it is very important to be gentle and understanding with your baby. It’s up to you!