My Baby Sleeps on My Chest - Is This OK?

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My Baby Sleeps on My Chest - Is this OK?

Will your baby only sleep on your chest? You put them down in the crib, but they wake right up and start crying! You're wondering if your baby can continue sleeping on your chest, or if will cause sleep problems for your baby?

You'll find all the answers in this video! It is okay to let your baby sleep on your chest? When should you get your baby to sleep in their bassinet or crib? Plus, learn a gentle method to get your baby sleeping in their own bed.

Link to Jilly's 'Drowsy but Awake' video:    • What Is 'Drowsy But Awake'?  

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Transcription:

Irene asks me: “I let my 3 month old nap on my chest because it really helps with the startle reflex. Sometimes she’ll have a startle reflex 10 minutes after her nap starts and that would normally wake her. Otherwise it would normally wake her, but if I have her on my chest she naps longer. Is this OK? Do I have to stop doing it?”


I would say, Irene, that everything is OK. Nothing is bad, nothing is wrong until it’s causing you a problem.

If your baby is napping on your chest and you’re awake, supervising her naps. She’s sleeping fine. You’re OK with it. You’re loving that special moment! I still remember my daughter napping on my chest when she was small, and thinking it was the most beautiful moment I’d ever experienced!

If that’s where you are, Irene, and you’re OK with it, then keep on doing it! You’re awake and supervising her. She’s having long, blissful naps that she needs. I think it’s completely fine.

When Your Baby Stops Napping Well
It’s only when you get to the point where she’s not napping so well. Or you realise that you’ve gone from a beautiful napping environment to being trapped under a sleeping baby. If now your baby is older and you want to start getting things done during the day. You’ve got things you need to do! If you get to that point, then that’s a sign that you need to stop having her nap on your chest.


Naps for 0-6 Month Olds:
Naps for this age are short and unpredictable. So I don’t like to be strict with the rules for babies under 6 months. The only rule I have would be to make sure your baby naps often.
A 3 month old should be napping every 1-1.5 hours throughout the day. Keep an eye on your baby’s awake times!

As long as your baby is napping often throughout the day, it’s OK if her naps are a little bit short. What’s important is that she doesn’t have too long of an awake time, because that can overtire and overstimulate her. That makes it harder for her to sleep later.


Use Motion Naps
A great way to transition is to use motion. Motion is a great way to help babies sleep, especially for daytime naps.

You could start to use the swing or the stroller for her naps. Most babies will nap well with motion and it’s really easy for them.

So once you’ve hit that awake time of 1-1.5 hours, you could pop her in the stroller and go for a nice long walk. Rather than settling her down on your chest for her nap. The chances are that if you’ve hit the right awake time and it’s a time when she’s used to napping, she will probably fall asleep.


A Gentle Method to Stop Baby Sleeping on You
I would do this for several days. This is a slow, gentle way of breaking the association of always having to be on top of Mommy to nap. I would use the swing at home or the stroller if you’re out and about.

You could use the car seat, but I find that the stroller and the swing are better. The car seat is at such an angle for young babies. It’s better to have them closer to lying flat.


How to get your baby to sleep in the crib
After several days, I would then start to get her napping in the crib. Then, I would walk her in the stroller until she gets drowsy, and then transfer her into the crib. And then shorten that time every day that you do it.

It’s the long game – I wouldn’t push a young baby too much, especially with naps.


As long as she’s not super fussy all day and her moods are as stable as a baby’s can be, then you’re doing OK!