NCS says no contact naps. Is she too strict?

[Anonymous]

I am of the opinion that lots of approaches can work, but I also have a friend who became and absolute slave to contact naps for months. It was awful. And bad for her body. I think there’s a happy medium where you can aim for drowsy but awake in a crib for the morning nap(s), which I think is a worthy goal and you will end up contact napping a lot anyway because of logistics and baby moods.

[Anonymous]

I think she’s right. My baby was a contact nap addict and never learned to fall asleep independently all the way into childhood. And not for lack of trying. We tried ALL the gentle methods then regular sleep training. It did not work. I often wonder if I’d been more militant about putting her down to sleep as a newborn if we could have avoided the absolute life-ruining dumpster fire that is her sleep.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Postpartum doula and Ncs here -this advice is garbage please hold your baby!

1. You can't spoil a baby
2. A more secure attachment leads to more independent kids not the other way around
3. Daytime sleep and overnight sleep use a different part of the brain- many many families successfully sleep train overnight when age appropriate and continue to contact, stroller, carrier nap during the day - some want it, some out of necessity( multiple kids, school pick up...)
4. Your Ncs should never be guilting or shaming you

The danger comes if you're sleep deprived trying to hold them all night long. But if you are awake and not at risk for falling asleep then please contact nap with your child.

+1 I’ve had contact naps with all 5 of my babies. It’s important for bonding! We are mammals.