Why Baby Sleep Habits Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All: The Truth About Contact Naps

Why baby sleep habits aren’t ‘one size fits all’

When it comes to baby sleep, there’s a lot of pressure to follow “good sleep habits.” You’ve probably heard advice like “Put your baby down drowsy but awake” or “Avoid contact naps or you’ll create bad habits.” But here’s the truth: sleep isn’t one-size-fits-all, especially for babies!

Your baby is an individual, your family is unique. These are 2 facts that you should always remember and always be proud of!

These truths matter because what works for one family may not work for another. For many parents, contact naps, whether in a sling or cuddling on the sofa, are not only normal but enjoyable. They provide closeness, comfort, and calm during a time when babies crave connection. These naps can help regulate your baby’s nervous system, promote bonding, and even improve overall sleep quality.

Why contact naps are not a “bad habit”

Contact naps are often labelled as problematic, but research and experience tell a different story. Babies are biologically wired to seek proximity, we are carry mammals, which means that we should be keeping our babies close, not seeking every possible gadget to facilitate separation. Holding your baby during naps can:

Regulate their nervous system.
Promote bonding and emotional security.
Support better overall sleep quality because your baby feels safe.

These benefits are especially important in the early months when your baby’s brain and body are developing rapidly.

The myth about holding your baby too much

As a holistic sleep coach, I hear this concern all the time during my free 15-minute introduction calls:
“We’ve been told that holding our baby too much during the day is why they wake frequently at night.”

This advice is not only misleading, it can create unnecessary guilt. Night waking is normal and developmental, research shows that over 80% of 18 month olds wake at least once overnight. Babies wake for many reasons:

Comfort and reassurance.
Hunger or growth spurts.
Natural sleep cycles.
Periods of increased development.
Temperament variations

Daytime cuddles do not cause night waking. In fact, meeting your baby’s need for closeness during the day can help them feel more secure and calm at night because they feel confident and safe in their secure attachment to you.

What really matters

Instead of focusing on rigid rules, prioritise:

Safety First: Always follow safe sleep guidelines, see the lullaby trust or basis online.
Flexibility: Adapt routines to your baby’s needs and your family’s lifestyle.
Connection: Responding to your baby builds trust and supports healthy development.

Sleep independence is a gradual process, not something that happens overnight. There’s no quick fix or magic solution but there are plenty of gentle and nurturing strategies that can support your baby’s sleep development without disrupting your secure and loving bond.

baby sleeping in the sling

If you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted and unsure how to move forwards, please reach out for a free 15 minute discovery call to learn more about the holistic sleep coaching approach and how I can support you and your family.