A Doctor told me not to pat my baby on her back just to get her to sleep?

Question

I didn't want to look stupid so i didn't ask why... Does anyone know why??? Thanks
No Smart repark reanswers please

Answer 1

I think that he's basically trying to tell you not to parent your baby to sleep, but to let the baby fall asleep on his own so he doesn't depend on you. In my book, that's a load of hogwash. Babies need parented to sleep. Babies need touched and cuddled to feel secure and to grow. Touching is good for babies. Parenting your child to sleep is good bonding time for the two of you. When he is older he'll fall asleep on his own. The doc doesn't live in your house and put your child to sleep. Do what works for YOU.

Answer 2

Don't ever feel that you'll look stupid and not ask a question. Any time someone suggests you do or don't do something it is reasonable to simply ask why.

Were you patting her on the back as if you were burping her? If that's what you were doing it would seem to me the doctor thinks that's not the best way for her to go to sleep. If you were more rubbing her back, maybe the issue would be that she may not learn to sleep without having her back rubbed.

I think you should call the doctor's office back, tell the nurse you forgot to ask why, and just ask. Really - they won't think you're stupid at all.

Answer 3

I don't think there is a logical reason for it. I did it with both of my boys and never had any problems with them going to sleep as they got older. Mothers who say don't do it after four months because you should put them down at that age and let them sleep on there own must not fully realize that babies grow up much too fast and you should "baby" them while the ARE babies. I rocked my boys and patted their backs until they were old enough to want to go to sleep alone. You do what you are comfortable with. There is no medical reason not to pat your baby to sleep.

Answer 4

Whatever reason that doctor told you its silly. patting on the back is a comfort for babies it feels like when they are in the womb and the heart beats close to them, it reminds them of safety and security. Some doctors say things that are without eveidence and we believe them because they are doctors. They may have read one article that says it shouldnt be done but havent critiqued the research. Maybe its because they think the baby will get used to it and you will have to do it all the time, if it works use it.

Answer 5

It depends.... how old is your baby?

Once my baby reached 4 months of age, I was advised to stop rocking, patting, or swinging my baby to sleep. By that age, the baby should be placed in their crib/bassinet, and be able to fall asleep on their own, in order to develop good sleeping habits.

If your baby is that age or older, it's a good idea not to continue patting her on the back to get her to fall asleep, because this will be a habit that will be harder to break later. (And make bedtime a hassle for you!)

If your baby is younger, there shouldn't be any problem with doing that. I did that with my baby when he was a newborn, and the pediatrician said it was fine.

The only reason I can think your doctor would say that would be to help her develop good sleeping habits, and not rely on you to pat her to sleep every night. :o)

Answer 6

Yes, because you willl end up with a child who refuses to sleep unless you pat their back. I have a son who I patted to sleep. He is 7 and still asks to have his back patted. Bedtimes were really horrible and disruptive to the whole house. She should learn to comfort herself and sleep on her own. It is hard to not do it now when she is so helpless and cute, but you will be glad you didnt do it.

Answer 7

if you just recently have your baby then patting it on the back is kinda like shaking it. and not everything is together yet inside him/her so it could jar something lose or bruise the baby.