It is common for every parent to receive unsolicited advice on raising their baby. But new moms are the ones most flooded with an endless stream of “words of wisdom” from people around.
One of the common pieces of advice many new mothers listen to is that they should not hold their baby too much as it can spoil their baby.
It seems some people believe that spoiling a kid with affection and love is a bad thing.
So, is holding your baby too much bad? There have been many research studies over the years discussing the fact that whether you can spoil your little one by holding and comforting them when they need you.
Many people still keep telling new parents that they should not hold their baby too much to let them learn to be independent.
A new study proposes that holding a baby, touching them, and cuddling them will not spoil your baby and even act as a stress reliever.
Table of Contents
Is holding your baby too much bad?
The answer to this question is no. There is nothing wrong with holding your baby all the time. Young babies require a lot of love, care, and attention, and attending to them or holding them all the time in the first few months will not create bad habits. Responding to their needs and holding them all the time is perfectly fine. In many cases, your parental instinct will inform you to hold your baby and keep him close to you and your instinct is right. Holding your baby close to you offers several benefits to you and your baby
Is it possible to hold your baby too much?
Until your little one is not disturbed from sleeping, it can never be held too much. The feeling of attention and closeness for infants is important for their growth and development.
However, if you are holding your infant so much that you are ignoring your family or yourself; it means that you are holding your baby too much. It is fine to put down your baby or pass it on to any other caregiver.
Young babies love to be held but it is also advantageous for them to have solo time. It is also important for your baby’s development to bond with other close family members.
When you hold your baby close to your body, it will feel your heartbeat, rhythmic breathing, and warmth. It will make your baby feel relaxed, secure, and safe which lowers crying and helps regulate its body functions.
Holding your little ones will support your parental bond and make your kid feel safer. Overall, it is better to keep your baby close to you for their mental, emotional, and physical development.
If your baby is fussing and crying, it may be due to some issues like hunger, cold, pain, or a dirty diaper. Your baby may only want to see you nearby.
Neglecting your baby when they are crying will not teach them to sort it out themselves as babies can’t do that yet.
Why you should respond to your baby?
Your little ones depend on you to give them what they need for development and growth.
If you consistently and calmly respond to your infant’s calls for attention by finding out what they require or just by being there, your little ones quickly learn to trust that you will fulfill their needs.
It will also help your baby become confident and secure over time.
Infants who receive consistent nurturing relationships in the early stages of life quickly develop a secure attachment with their parents or caregiver.
These babies are better able to cope with stress when they grow up. They are probably healthier physically and emotionally as adults.
Babies need touch
Babies first develop a sense of touch, even before they are born. Infants begin to receive stimulation by touch while in the womb. Through the first 3 years of life, each touch helps shape the brain development of your baby.
Touch is important for babies and there is no such thing as spoiling a baby or holding a baby too much.
Holding your baby helps them grow
It is a scientifically proven fact that “touch” stimulates growth-promoting hormones in growing babies. Therapeutic touch helps premature babies put on weight fast. On contrary, little ones deprived of touch show prominent stunted growth.
Babies need touch to grow healthy, so snuggle them and hold them as much as possible.
Holding your baby helps them sleep better
Many people believe that holding a baby too much can cause them to wake up more at night and not fall asleep on their own.
It is probably a common piece of advice we all receive from a relative or friend. You may also hear this line “don’t hold them every time they cry or you will spoil them.”
In contrast, touching or holding is an effective tool that parents used to soothe a baby.
Holding your baby helps them sleep better as it let them experience a sense of security, comfort, and warmth from a parent. As we know that babies don’t sleep throughout the night as adults do.
On average, babies and adults both wake up 3 to 6 times each night. However, there is a difference, adults know how to go back to sleep on their own whereas infants can’t.
They need your assistance and holding them can help them go back to sleep easily.
Conclusion
I hope that reading the article “Is holding your baby too much bad?” help you find the answer to your question.
You can’t hold your baby too much. It is not bad and perfectly fine to hold your baby all the time unless it is not disturbing their sleep.
So, whenever someone tells you not to hold your baby too much or avoid going to your crying baby because you can spoil them, rest assured that you are not spoiling your baby by giving them attention and love.
By holding your baby, you will be actually offering them much-needed comfort.