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Home › Articles › Sleep Issues › Common Infant Questions Answered

Common Infant Questions Answered

Expert Answers to Common Newborn Questions

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"They certainly do start to get heavy after a while, don't they?" says Vimala McClure, a parent educator in Boulder, Colo., and author of several books on parenting, motherhood, infant massage and pregnancy. "My first baby was also an 'in-arms' baby for the first year of his life, while my second was done with that after three months. A lot of it has to do with the baby's needs and temperament."

Do you have a snuggle pack that you could use that would both stabilize your back and keep your hands free? "That is one solution; often in-arms babies will want to start getting away and moving around by themselves by around 5 to 6 months when they start scooting and crawling," McClure says.

Another thing to consider is that the baby may actually need to cry some, to release stress and tension. "So if you can relax yourself and be present for her, listening to her, you can try putting her down, allowing her to cry for a while as you listen attentively, then giving her comfort again," McClure says. "You can lengthen the period you put her down a little each time. You may find that eventually the crying subsides as baby is 'heard,' releases pent-up energy and realizes you are still there and do not go away."

But you may still have an "in-arms" baby on your hands, one who wants a lot of attention and affection. "It may be a strain on you, but remember it is a short period, and your limits are a lot greater than you think they are," McClure says. "Babies who are very demanding of attention and affection early on tend to be very creative, independent and loving peple as they grow up. So consider the extra attention a 'deposit' in the baby's 'emotional bank account'!"


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