Most mums purchase a baby carrier and so often I am asked if it poses a problem for sleep.
CARRIERS ARE AMAZING
A carrier gives a mamma free hands to get things done, be it a book, a coffee, cooking dinner, playing with an older child.
Your carrier is worth its weight in gold.
Consider the colicky baby, the reflux baby who can’t be laid down, the overtired bub, the premmie who longs for skin to skin contact. The carrier is your friend when your little one won’t settle. A carrier allows you to walk off road, it allows you to travel with more ease, it allows you to get sleep amongst busy and noisy shopping centres, it means you can get groceries done (how do people do it without one?!?)....
The carrier is your friend when your little one wont settle
For the first 12 weeks a carrier should be your go to... baby thrives in naps on time especially when they are close to you. But..... After the first few months you can use it too much.
And this is where the carrier could become a sleep association. If every sleep happens in the carrier your baby may depend on that motion and closeness to get them to sleep. This is only a negative sleep association if its a problem FOR YOU.
Independent sleep isn’t happening when baby sleeps in a carrier. But not every single sleep needs to be in a cot to see sleep success. I suggest to my clients to try at least one sleep per day in the cot. And for the last sleep of the day it’s more important to get sleep than it is to battle getting it in the cot. The carrier is the perfect place for that last catnap of the day.
So my advice, do your research. Try on different carriers. Find one that fits well and feels comfortable. And when you find a good one, use it. Worry not for the negative association it may cause, if it gets you a little peace, a nice walk or the cup of coffee you are longing for. Use it. If it starts to become a problem it’s relatively easy to wean a baby off a carrier. Book a FREE 15minute call and we can organise a personalised plan to enhance your sleep today.
Sleep deprivation is torture. Tessa Gow is a midwife and certified sleep consultant working with families across the globe. She offers nurturing methods with lasting results. Let her be the support and guidance you need to get through this. On the other side of a consultation with Enhance Sleep is rested, functioning families. Take the first step towards healthy sleep by contacting me today.