Carrying your child with you, how final is that? For many parents, it's a convenient way to take your child on the go and be nice and close to you. Yet a baby carrier or sling is not just a means of transportation. You can use a carrier super fine when your child is restless or has trouble sleeping.
Asa sleep coachfor babies and children, I often advise parents to use a baby carrier to ensure more sleep when their child is overtired. Many parents who ask a sleep coach for help are told that their child is overtired.
The first step is to ensure that the fatigue disappears and does not return. In other words: get some sleep. Even if your child is not used to being carried, this can work very well.
Most babies sleep better when they can be close to you. And that's not surprising, of course: they spent nine months safely in their mother's womb. In addition, the movement provides the same feeling as the movements in the womb.
Add to that the warmth of your body and the ability to smell your scent, and you'll understand why your baby loves this so much. Oxytocin (the cuddle hormone) is released, which in turn stimulates the production of melatonin (the sleep hormone) due to the stress-reducing effect of oxytocin.
You often hear about dependent sleep associations. As far as I'm concerned, these are only a problem if they are a problem for you. What has been proven is that a child who receives a lot of help falling asleep often has difficulty falling asleep independently when he or she wakes up in the middle of the night.
For example, when falling asleep at the breast: this may not be a problem at all, but if you are unable to stay with your child all the time, it can be very inconvenient.
A baby carrier is also a dependent sleep association, but it gives you more freedom (and the same sense of security as sleeping next to your baby). It really doesn't matter that this is a dependent way of sleeping, as long as it's not a problem for you. Your child needs sleep and needs you to help them get it, so do what feels right for you.
In fact, if your child is less than 3 months old, I would choose to keep your baby close to you as much as possible. You can't spoil your baby with that; it's actually very good for secure attachment.
See also the previous blog about carrying and bondinghttps://www.bykay.com/nl/stories/verwen-ik-met-een-draagdoek/. Sleeping in a carrier is also very pleasant for older children. It provides peace, closeness, and a feeling of security. Especially when your child is going through a new phase, carrying them helps to create a strong bond and a stable foundation.
If your child sleeps enough during the day and the distribution of these naps prevents them from becoming overtired, you will see this reflected in the night. The night is a mirror of the day: if sleeping during the day is not going well, you will see this reflected in the nights (in the long run).
So if you carry your baby during the day and give them enough sleep, there is a good chance that your nights will be uninterrupted or less interrupted (depending on whether your baby still needs night feeds and/or is restless).
Once you have established a good routine and your child is no longer overtired, would you still like to teach your child to sleep in their own bed? You can do this in small steps and for each nap. And even then, not all naps have to be in their own bed. You should do what feels right and works for you and your child.
Do you only want to carry your baby during the day? Go for it! If you notice that your baby also enjoys napping in a low-stimulus environment (and carrying them doesn't work), then alternate between the two. You can't go wrong here; whatever feels right to you is right!
If you need a little help or advice with sleeping, look for a good sleep coach. You can visitmy website. For advice or coaching on the most important thing in your life—your child—you need to feel comfortable with the coach you choose.
If you would like to get acquainted by phone first, that is always possible. If you don't feel that connection with me, no hard feelings. If you search for "dream rhythm coach," you can find other excellent coaches who work according to the same method as me: loving and responsive (no crying).
My own children spent many hours sleeping in baby carriers or slings. My youngest mainly used theClick Carrierfrom ByKay. I particularly like this one because it has crossed straps, which made a huge difference to the pressure on my shoulders. But it's very personal which carrier suits you and your child best.
Fortunately, there are many different ones available at ByKay. Need help choosing? Read more here:https://www.bykay.com/advies-over-dragen/or contact ByKay for advice from ababywearing consultant.
