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The Daily Insight

Why does my newborn wake up every time I put him down?

Author

Chloe Ramirez

Updated on February 17, 2026

"Babies usually wake up when they are laid down because of a change of environment. They go from being snuggled in a parent's arms to a cool mattress or surface," certified sleep consultant Christine Stevens with Sleepy Tots Consulting tells Romper.

How do I get my baby to stay asleep when I put her down?

The next time you put your baby down for the night, try any or all of the following tricks.

  1. A bed Goldilocks will love. Create a comfortable and cozy oasis that no baby can resist falling asleep in. ...
  2. Just the right angle. ...
  3. Make some noise. ...
  4. Fill 'em up. ...
  5. Cuddle up. ...
  6. Don't rock-a-bye-baby. ...
  7. Swaddle. ...
  8. Night and day difference.

Why do babies wake up after being put down?

Your child's vestibular sense senses the sudden change in position. Through sensory inputs from the skin, joints and muscles their proprioception tells them their body is in a different place in relation to their environment. Understandably, a sudden change in position and movement can wake a person up.

How do you put a newborn down without waking up?

Just lift your baby over the crib's side and hold him/her there (it's like allowing your baby to flow over the crib mattress). Count to 10 or 15 seconds and if he/she doesn't wake up, you can then slowly lower your baby toward the mattress. Move so slowly and gently as you lower your baby toward the mattress.

Is it normal for newborn to only sleep when held?

“Infants like skin-to-skin contact with mom and dad, as they find it very soothing,” she explains. And no, despite what anyone tells you, you're not doing anything wrong letting baby sleep in your arms in those first weeks. “Holding a baby during this time period will not make an infant clingy later in life,” she says.

What should I do if my baby wakes as soon as I put him down for a nap?

Why does my newborn cry every time I put her down?

Babies love to be held, touched and reassured that you're there, so settling in a cot on their own can often be difficult for them. Your baby's missing your touch and attention, and they're letting you know about it (NHS, 2019). From their very first hours of life, babies will cry when separated from their mothers.

What should I do if my baby only sleeps when held?

So as far as his napping goes, you can either let him fall asleep in the baby carrier, or you can help him start learning how to sleep on his own. Try swaddling him, to mimic the feeling of being held, and then putting him down. Stay with him and rock him, sing, or stroke his face or hand until he settles down.

How do you sleep train a newborn?

Sleep training tips

  1. Establish a bedtime routine. Follow a consistent 30- to 45-minute baby sleep routine to help transition your little one from awake time to sleepy time. ...
  2. Time it right. ...
  3. Know when baby's tired. ...
  4. Put baby down awake. ...
  5. Delay your response time. ...
  6. Keep nighttime interactions brief.

How can I get my newborn to sleep in his bassinet instead of his arms?

How to Get a Baby to Sleep in a Bassinet

  1. Have a Steady Routine. ...
  2. Make Your Presence Felt in the Bassinet. ...
  3. Place the Bassinet Close to Your Bed. ...
  4. Swaddle Him. ...
  5. Lay Him Down Awake. ...
  6. Sing Lullaby or Read a Book. ...
  7. Get an Inclined Bassinet. ...
  8. Make the Sleeping Environment Comfortable.

How do you get a newborn to sleep at night?

Helping Your Baby Sleep

  1. Always place your baby on his or her back to sleep, not on the stomach or side. ...
  2. Use a firm sleep surface. ...
  3. Do not put anything else in the crib or bassinet. ...
  4. Avoid overheating. ...
  5. Keep your baby away from smokers. ...
  6. Put your baby to sleep with a pacifier.

Why won't my newborn sleep in his bassinet?

If you find that your baby isn't sleeping well in their bassinet, there could be a variety of causes at play: Your baby is hungry. Little stomachs empty quickly and need to be refilled. Especially during periods of growth and cluster feeding, you may find your baby wants to feed instead of sleep.

Why does my baby hates lying flat?

Here are three very likely reasons why your crib's a Nuclear Zone: Your baby feels the wide open space is frightening. He prefers the close touch of your body against his skin. Your baby has acid reflux or colic and laying flat on his back kicks up the acid factory.

Can you hold a newborn too much?

Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically and intellectually.

Why do babies sleep better when held?

While cuddling, your baby can actually hear your heartbeat, and your presence is soothing. Babies can also smell your scent, and when you hold them, it makes them feel safer. If your baby is less than 4 months old and still the newborn wants to be held all night, they're still getting used to life outside the womb.

How do I get my 2 week old to sleep in his bassinet?

4 things you can do to help your baby sleep in the bassinet.

  1. Work on the first nap of the day in the bassinet. This is usually the easiest nap to get a baby down for. ...
  2. Focus on the timing of sleep. ...
  3. Swaddle. ...
  4. Move the bassinet a few feet away from your bed. ...
  5. Be an observer.

Why is my newborn up all night?

Around-the-clock feedings also play a big role in this, since little ones have a high biological need to eat, and their tiny tummies empty quickly. Newhook adds that a new mom's oxytocin and prolactin levels are elevated at night, which means she produces more milk, encouraging babies to feed frequently.

How do I put my 2 week old to sleep?

Three tips for 2-3 week old sleeping

  1. Give your baby a gentle massage and deep warm bath to relax them if they're unsettled.
  2. Position your baby's cot or bassinet next to your bed, but don't co-sleep. ...
  3. Expect your baby to go off to sleep in your arms when you're cuddling them or breastfeeding.

Why does my newborn always want to be held?

For most newborn babies, the desire to be held in arms is quite normal. Babies usually require a considerable amount of physical connection, particularly during the initial days after birth. They seek the soothing contact of their mother's body because that's what they have experienced in the mother's womb.

Why does my newborn only want to sleep in my arms?

It's because she's still getting used to life outside the womb -- and doesn't like being away from you yet. "The first few months of a newborn's life are often referred to as the 'fourth trimester,'" explained Mizrahi. "They require a lot of closeness for sleep since that's all they've known for nine months in utero!

Should you let newborn sleep in your arms?

One warning most parents hear over and over is to not get baby into the habit of falling asleep in your arms, because you'll be rocking him or her well into kindergarten. But really, it's completely fine for young babies.

Why does baby cry as soon as I put him down?

Human babies are in utero for nine months and once they are out in the world, they enter the fourth trimester. During this time, babies need to be held and they will often cry as soon as they are put down. This can be stressful for the parents but it's perfectly normal.

Should I pick up my baby every time he cries?

It's absolutely fine to pick up your newborn baby when they cry. It helps your baby feel safe and know that you're nearby. You can't spoil a newborn. If your newborn is crying, it's because they need you to comfort them.

How long is newborn stage?

Newborn usually refers to a baby from birth to about 2 months of age. Infants can be considered children anywhere from birth to 1 year old. Baby can be used to refer to any child from birth to age 4 years old, thus encompassing newborns, infants, and toddlers.

How long are newborns clingy?

Babies and toddlers often get clingy and cry if you or their other carers leave them, even for a short time. Separation anxiety and fear of strangers is common in young children between the ages of 6 months and 3 years, but it's a normal part of your child's development and they usually grow out of it.

Why does my newborn hates sleeping on his back?

"Many infants do not like to sleep on their backs," says Dr. Deena Blanchard, MD, a pediatrician at Premier Pediatrics NY. The reason: "This position is easier to startle in, and infants with reflux who spit up may feel less comfortable on their backs. Most babies do sleep better on their stomach."