Why Your Baby Should Be In Your Arms

You are probably tired of hearing that you should not pick up your baby when they cry, as they will “get used to your arms”. This is far from reality. Your baby needs to be in your arms.

Your baby needs to be in your arms. We will explain why in this article.

Newborns must be transported in the arms of their parents. There are still many tribes who would never consider being separated from their children.

They carry them around all day, even when doing other activities, such as working in the fields.

Our society was once like that until the advent of strollers and other equipment developed by our consumerist, capitalist world. 

Strollers, highchairs and other contractions can make our daily tasks much easier to perform.

But as with anything that has been done a lot, they can disrupt the contact we need to have with our children. They can ultimately cause more complications than benefits.

As part of their natural development, babies go  through a phase where their favorite place is in their mother’s arms. As with their intellectual and physical development, following this phase as naturally as possible has enormous benefits.

Why your baby should be in your arms

Our natural and maternal instinct tells us to have our babies in our arms.

But sometimes we have to listen to other mothers and grandmothers who say it’s a mistake as the baby ends up “getting used to your arms” and they will cry just to get up.

They’re probably crying because they need you – you’re their mother. They want you to cuddle them, kiss them, hug them… What’s wrong with that?

Babies who are in their mother’s arms are happy babies. They cry less, complain less, eat more often when they have access to their mother’s breast and sleep without problems.

It is actually their natural position. This is where they feel comfortable and safe. After being in their mother’s womb for 9 months, they should be as close to her as possible.

They are used to hearing her heart beat. They have also gotten used to their mother’s heartbeat. This is why they relax when they get close. They remember what it was like inside the womb.

When they are born in a new world they do not know anything, they have to get used to the new rhythm and therefore they need mother. Your arms are an emotional need for your baby.

It is an embrace, love, a caress, security. In short, it is a resting place. It is also the best way to strengthen the bond between mother and child.

Skin to skin

Skin contact consists of quickly placing the newborn on the mother’s shiny breast after birth. There is scientific evidence to support the important benefits in both the long and short term. 

After birth, babies are in a special state where they are awake, aware of what is happening, with their eyes wide open. They have an acute sense of air and active reflexes.

It is important to recognize the significance of this moment. It lasts only for the first two hours, after which a phase of lethargy begins.

During the first contact between mother and child, they observe each other, smell and touch. It really is an unforgettable experience.

A mother’s innate odors are very important as the baby’s vision in the first months is still lacking. They recognize their mother through her smell and voice, it gets easier when your baby needs to be in your arms.

“Skin to skin contact” is being performed more and more in all Spanish hospitals. This  technique allows the baby to adapt to life’s extra uterus  and maintains their body temperature, which they cannot do themselves.

It also reduces the time they spend crying, strengthens the bond between mother and child and facilitates breastfeeding. The baby instinctively searches for the nipple to start the first feeding.

In other words, from the moment the baby leaves the womb, the baby must be in your arms in order to adapt to the world.

Of course, the role of the father is also important. It is true that fathers sometimes feel more insecure when it is their first child.

They observe how the mother cuddles, caresses and holds the baby in her arms. But when the child needs something, fathers can also take the child in their arms.

Baby carrier

There are many things on the market that can help us lift our babies close to the breast while keeping our arms free. For fathers, this can be very helpful. The baby may fall asleep in the baby carrier while doing activities (if they are not hungry).

They smell you, look at you and touch you. All this strengthens the bond between parent and child.

The lightest models are composed of a long piece of cloth that is tied in different positions. There is also fabric that comes in the form of a sling attached by rings that allows for easy change of position and size.

There are also backpack-shaped designs that combine beauty and comfort. Another option is a baby sling. It mixes the benefits of baby carrier and backpacks with a variety of different positions that you can easily choose from.

Additional benefits of the baby carrier that are scientifically proven:

• Minor trauma is caused during adjustment
• Allows synchronization with the mother
• Facilitates breastfeeding
• Stimulates baby’s digestion
• Provides better rest
• Safety for the mother
• Allows parents to do other things at the same time
• It helps to strengthen the bonds

The consequences of not having your baby in your arms enough…

If you leave the baby crying every time they ask to be in your arms, you will bring out the following in your baby:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Uncertainty
• Lack of trust
• Low self-esteem
• Loneliness

Mother and father’s arms have a purpose. Our children need them. Therefore, it is important that your baby should be in your arms. So do not hesitate to pick them up in your arms when they need you.