Why Do Babies Need To Be Held?

Surely you are tired of being told that you shouldn’t hold the baby in your arms when you’re crying because he’ll “get used to being in your arms.” Well then, nothing could be further from what actually happens .  The truth is, babies need to be held. In this article, we will clarify all issues related to this topic.

Babies are born to be carried in your lap.  There are some communities that do not agree with the ideals of separating from their children. In these groups, babies stay in the lap all day, even while adults carry out other activities such as working in the fields, for example.

Our society also did not agree with the idea of ​​separating from the little ones until cars and other devices from the capitalist and consumer world came into our lives. The strollers, the car seats, the rest seats, the highchairs can facilitate many of our tasks. But today we live in a world of excess. These devices interfere with contact with children and, in the long run, cause more complications than facilities.

As part of babies’ natural development, little ones go through a phase where their favorite place is their mother’s lap. And, both for intellectual and physical development, as well as for the affective aspects, going through this phase as authentically as possible produces enormous benefits.

Our natural and maternal instinct drives us to pick up our baby without thinking twice. However, we hear from our mothers and grandmothers that this is a mistake because the babies will eventually “get used to the lap” and will start crying exclusively, and with the intention that they will be placed in the lap again.

Well, babies probably cry because they need their mothers to rock them, kiss them, hug them… What’s wrong with that?  Babies in your lap are happy babies. At least they cry less, feed more easily when they come into contact with the chest, and sleep without problems.

In fact, it’s their natural state, the state in which they feel comfortable and secure. After spending nine months inside Mommy’s belly, they need to be as close to her as possible because they are used to hearing their heartbeat. They’re used to hearing her heart rate, so when you put them close to her heart, they’re relaxed because they remember when they were inside her belly.

Babies are born in a new world, they don’t know anything, they need to get used to a different rhythm, and for that they need Mom. For babies, the lap is an emotional need. A hug, love, affection, a caress are security in a moment of crisis. Kisses are definitely rest. And it’s the best way to strengthen the attachment between baby and mother.

skin on skin

Skin-to-skin contact involves placing the newborn, immediately after birth, on the mother’s bare chest.  There is scientific evidence to support skin-to-skin contact with important short-term and long-term benefits.

After birth, babies go through a very special moment in which they are awake, aware of their surroundings, with their eyes open, their sense of smell very keen, and their reflexes very active.

It is important to be aware of the importance of this moment, which lasts for the first two hours right after birth, since after this period a phase of lethargy follows. This first contact in which the baby and its mother look at each other, touch and smell each other is an unforgettable experience. The mother’s scent is very important, as in the first few months the baby’s vision is not very adapted to the outside world, so they recognize the mother by smell and voice.

Increasingly, “skin-to-skin contact” is taking place in all maternity hospitals in Spain .  This technique helps babies adapt to life outside the womb and maintain their body temperature as babies do not regulate it correctly.

In addition, it reduces crying time, enhances the bond between mother and baby, and facilitates breastfeeding, as the baby instinctively seeks and finds the nipple and starts to breastfeed.

In other words, from the moment the baby comes out of our belly, it needs to be in the mother’s lap to adapt to the world.

Of course, the role of dad is also essential. It’s true that dads feel more insecure when they’re first-time parents. But, if they observe how the mother rocks, caresses, takes the baby in her arms, and does everything the baby needs, they will also be able to be part of these moments.

The baby carrier cloth

Currently, there are many baby carrier backpacks on the market so that you can leave the baby on your lap and, at the same time, keep both hands free.  For Dad they are also very useful.  The child in the baby carrier, if he is not hungry, will sleep while you do any other activity. Your baby will be smelling, looking, and touching you, which makes the emotional bond between the two of you grow stronger.

The simplest model is a long piece of cloth that can be tied in different positions. There are also cloths that are placed over the shoulder by means of rings that allow changing the size and position .  There are models in backpack format that combine beauty and comfort. Another option is kangaroo backpacks. They combine the advantage of baby carrier backpacks with the different positions that a tied cloth can offer.

In addition, the benefits of the baby carrier cloth are scientifically proven:

• Less trauma in life-changing uterus-outside world
• Synchronization with the mother
• Favors the start of breastfeeding
• Stimulates baby’s digestion
• More quality in moments of rest
• safety for mom
• perform other tasks
• bond with daddy

Consequences of not holding your baby as long as necessary…

If you leave the baby crying every time he asks for you, you will contribute to generating:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Insecurity
• distrust
• Lack of self-esteem, confidence and attachment
• Individualism
• Loneliness

Mom and Dad’s lap is not a whim. They are a necessity for our children. So don’t hesitate to pick up your baby. He needs you.