Why do Newborns Sleep With Their Arms Up
Watching your cute munchkin sleeping with his hands up is a soothing sight. But, like many other parents, you might wonder why your infant is sleeping with his hands up. Is it normal to sleep like this?
You often see newborns in different sleeping positions: hands up, arms in, arms out, etc., but understanding why they do so is essential as a parent. It helps you understand your baby better and makes you less worried if he changes his sleeping position.
This blog post will answer all your concerns, like why my newborn sleeps with his arms up. Stay hooked for a detailed guide on the subject and expert tips. Let’s get straight into the topic!
Is It Ok For My Newborn To Sleep With Their Arms Up?
Did you notice that your newborn is sleeping with hands up, and now you’re worried about whether it’s okay or not? Well, it’s normal for new parents to think this way as this is not a usual sleeping pattern of adults. So, there are high chances you’re here to ask why newborns sleep with their arms up and if it’s ok or not.
The answer to this question is YES!
Yes, it’s totally fine for newborns to sleep with their arms up. And we’ll explore the deets to satisfy ourselves, too.
Why Do Newborns Sleep With Their Arms Up?
Although there’s no harm if the newborn sleeps with their arms up, knowing the reason would be a win-win situation for both parents and kids. Here are the common reasons why
Comfort
Before getting into the topic, let me throw a question: Which sleeping posture are you more comfortable with? There’ll be one you’re more comfortable sleeping in, right?
Just like adults, newborns also have a preferred sleeping position. And we got that hands up are the mutual favorite of almost all the newborns. This might be due to:
- They feel more secure
- It’s their comfort posture
One reason could be that the arms-up position stretches the body, and newborns can move their hands freely.
Moro Reflex
The Moro Reflex—the Startle reflex—indicates a developing nervous system that serves as a protection mechanism for newborns. Babies open their arms when they hear a loud noise while sleeping, and that’s their body language to seek protection. The Moro reflex lasts 4-6 months as soon as the nervous system develops.
So, sleeping with arms up could be a Moro reflex.
Thermoregulation
Another reason newborns sleep with their arms up is an underdeveloped thermoregulatory system. The sweat glands of newborns are not fully developed and, therefore, can’t regulate their body temperature so well. Sleeping with hands up might help your newborn’s body release excessive heat and keep the body temperature in the normal range.
Motor Skill Development
Newborns sleeping with their hands up could be a developmental milestone, too. As they grow, newborns learn motor skills and adjust their bodies until they feel comfortable. Arms up is a vital developmental milestone while the babies are sleeping.
So, the next time when you see your newborn sleeping with hands up, take it positively that your little bub is soon becoming a grown-up kid.
Benefits of Arms Up Position
Now that we know why newborns sleep with their arms up let’s head to the benefits of sleeping in the arms up position:
1. Natural sleep position
You see, the majority of newborns sleep with their arms up, and the reason is that it’s their natural sleep position. They spend their life in the womb in the same position, and that’s why they are more comfortable in their natural sleeping position. It gives them a sense of calm and comfort.
2. Freedom of movement
Sleeping with arms up gives freedom of movement, too. Newborns can freely move their arms and legs, which helps in developing motor skills.
3. Improve breathing
Research has shown that newborns must sleep on their backs as the other ways of sleeping increase the risk of SIDS. If your newborn is comfortable sleeping with his hands up, congrats! It improves their breathing and reduces the chances of throwing up.
4. Prevent rolling over
When newborns sleep with their arms up, their bodies are more likely to be stabilized, which prevents them from rolling over. This is the safe infant’s sleeping practice that saves them from choking up.
5. Safe sleep transition
Sleeping up with arms up helps A LOT with a smooth sleep transition. The arms up position prepares them for independent sleep.
Ensure Safety of Newborn in Arm’s Up Position
Now that you understand the reasons why newborns sleep with their arms up and its benefits, ensuring their safety is a must. And here’s how you can ensure the safety of your little kid:
Safe sleep surface
First, maintain a safe sleep surface for your baby. This can be a mattress in a crib. Ensure that toys, pillows, and other objects are away from the baby.
Proper swaddle
Choose a proper swaddle that lets the baby sleep in a comfortable posture. Make sure it’s your baby’s size, not too loose or tight.
Furthermore, avoid adding too many layers beneath a swaddle. One onesie will work best in summer, and a footie pajamas or sleeping suit is best in winter. However, you can add another layer if you think the temperature is too low for the baby.
Read out the signs and solutions if your baby is too hot in swaddle.
Maintain the room temperature
Babies can’t regulate their body temperature as their thermal regulation system is not fully developed. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain the room temperature to avoid overheating. So, make sure you:
- Dress up your baby in light and comfortable clothes
- Put the swaddle on
- Don’t add extra layers while sleeping
Watch over your baby
Last but not least, watch over your baby while he’s sleeping. Notice if there’s any sign of discomfort and take preventive measures accordingly.
Is It Safe To Swaddle With Arms Up?
Pairing a swaddle with arms up is the best technique to make your baby sleep comfortably. Swaddle mimics the comfort of a mother’s womb while arms up is a natural sleeping posture of the baby. So, it’s safe to swaddle a baby with arms up. However, while you’re swaddling with arms up, make sure you keep these things in mind:
- Don’t swaddle your baby too tight or too loose. Maintain a perfect balance
- Keep the neck and face uncovered for breathing
- Maintain the regular room temperature
Learn how to know if a swaddle is too tight for your baby.
Safety Tips To Sleep Babies With Their Arms Up
Since you understand your baby’s sleeping posture, it’s best to keep these safety tips in mind while a newborn is sleeping with his arms up:
- Place the baby on his back to ensure that breathing is smooth, and he does not throw up.
- Don’t experiment with different swaddles. Use an approved arm-up swaddle that allows the baby to move hands freely.
- Make sure that the swaddle properly fits - neither too loose nor very tight.
- Choose a breathable fabric for swaddling, like cotton, bamboo, or linen.
- Be careful to keep the surrounding area decluttered. Keep toys and pillows away from the baby’s crib.
- Keep the room temperature to a standard limit - 20-22*C.
- Check for the signs of discomfort and remove the swaddle instantly if you see any redness, sweating, or shortness of breath.
Follow the safety guidelines to make your baby fall asleep in comfort.
Final Verdict
Newborns sleeping with their arms up is a common sight. But you might always wonder if it’s safe for newborns to sleep like this and why newborns sleep with their arms up.
Arms up is a natural sleeping posture for most babies, and there is no harm in sleeping like this. In fact, it improves motor skill development and assists thermoregulation in little kids.
So, fret not if your baby is sleeping with hands up. It’s a normal posture.
Pair their arm-up posture with swaddling to provide the comfort they have been experiencing in the safest place - the mother's womb. Head to Jenni Kidz to get comfortable swaddles for your baby.
FAQs
Why do babies have hands up?
Babies keep their hands up because that’s the position they are more comfortable in. It helps keep
Why do babies lift their hands while sleeping?
Babies lift their hands because most of them find it comfortable while sleeping. Besides this, there are various other reasons:
- It’s Moro reflex
- Maintain body’s temperature
What is active sleep in a newborn?
A newborn’s sleep cycle lasts 20 to 50 minutes and is divided into active sleep and quiet sleep. During active sleep, newborns move, groan, open their eyes, or cry out. Meanwhile, during quiet sleep, they smile.
What is normal newborn behavior?
A typical newborn’s behavior includes making eye contact, crying out, changing posture, and reaching for different things. Keeping their arms up while sleeping and waking is also expected.
What age do babies put their arms up?
Babies put their arms up from the beginning because it’s more likely their comfort posture. However, when they grow old, like six months, they put their arms open as a response.
