If you've recently welcomed a baby into your family, you may have experienced this frustrating situation: your newborn sleeps peacefully in your arms, but the moment you try to put them down, their eyes snap open and they begin to cry. The so-called 'baby wakes up when put down' problem affects millions of families worldwide, leaving parents exhausted and frustrated.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the science of why babies wake up when they're placed down, how to get around this obstacle at each stage of development, and real-world, evidence-based tips on how to keep your babies asleep during transfers—ultimately leading to better sleep for all.
Why Do Babies Wake Up When You Put Them Down?
Before addressing the problem, it is essential to understand why it happens. There are certain reasons why your baby wakes up after being put down:
The Moro Reflex (Startle Reflex)
The Moro reflex is a spontaneous neurological reflex in infants which causes them to jerk out their arms and legs when they feel like they are falling. The Moro reflex is typically integrated into voluntary movements by 4-6 months of age. However, if it persists beyond this period, it may indicate neurological immaturity or other developmental concerns, though this is not always the case.
This reflex has an evolutionary purpose: it's thought to be a vestigial defense mechanism that once enabled infants to cling to their mothers. Neurologically, it's controlled by the brainstem and is caused by the complex interaction between proprioceptive receptors (which detect position change), vestibular processing (which reports the sense of falling), and motor neurons which trigger the associated arm and leg extension.
When you put your baby from the warmth of your arms into a crib, the sensation of being lowered can trigger this reflex and cause them to wake up suddenly. That is why your newborn baby wakes up so rapidly when put down. The intensity of this reflex varies from baby to baby, with some having more intense reactions than others.
Temperature Change
Newborn babies are responsive to temperature contrasts. Moving from body warmth (roughly 98.6°F/37°C) to colder sheets initiates an acute shift in temperature that interrupts their rest. The shift in temperature may be particularly unpleasant for newborn babies, as they are still getting used to extra-uterine conditions.
Sleep Cycles and Sleep Architecture
Infant sleep structure is quite different from that of adults. Unlike adults, who complete a sleep cycle in 90-120 minutes with about 20-25% spent in REM sleep, newborns have shorter sleep cycles of about 30-50 minutes, with REM sleep making up 50-60% of total sleep time.
If your baby wakes up only 30 minutes after bedtime, they're likely experiencing transitions between sleep states. According to research done by the National Sleep Foundation, babies do not achieve mature sleep patterns until about 4-6 months of age.
In general, infants go through four stages of sleep: quiet sleep, indeterminate sleep, active sleep and waking. Infants are particularly susceptible to arousal by environmental stimuli during active sleep and state transitions, e.g., when moved to a crib. This biological reality is the cause of your baby waking up when put down even though they appear to be fast asleep.
Sensory Changes
Your baby has come to depend on your heartbeat, breathing patterns, and gentle movement when in hold. When you place them down, this calming sensory stimulation immediately stops, which could trigger an awakening response. This is particularly relevant when your infant wakes up when put down.
How Do I Get My Baby to Stay Asleep When I Put it Down
Now that we understand the reasons behind your baby waking up immediately when put down, let's cover practical tips on how to get your little one sleeping through transfers.
For Newborns and Young Infants (0-3 months)
1. Master the Transfer Technique
- How you place your baby can make a real difference in if they will continue to sleep:
- Hold off until your baby is asleep deeply (around 20-30 minutes)
- Slow down and go ahead slowly
- Keep skin-to-skin as you lay them down, having one hand on their chest and another on their head
- Easing your hands away slowly once they're in a deep sleeping position
2. Swaddling
Swaddling replicates the snug environment of the womb and protects against the startle reflex from waking your baby. Swaddling your baby correctly with a comfortable swaddle, such as Momcozy's, can help soothe them and promote deeper sleep.
3. Warm the Sleep Surface
Warming the sleeping area of your baby before transfer (not too hot) will assist in avoiding temperature shock. Take out the warming device before putting down your baby.
4. White Noise and Sound Machines
White noise machines are valuable tools for parents with sleep transfer issues. Research shows that constant background noise can mask environmental sounds that might disturb your baby into waking up while providing them with a comforting audio environment similar to the sounds they heard in the womb. Some parents like the remote control sound machines, like the Momcozy Sound Machine, where they can adjust settings without going into the room—a big help when you've finally managed to get the sleeping baby transferred.
For Older Babies (4-7 months)
When your 4-7 month old baby wakes up when put down, try these:
1. Establish a Consistent Bedtime Routine
Consistency will serve to signal to your baby that sleep time is approaching. A routine can be a warm bath, massage, feeding, and lullaby. This gets your baby ready both physically and mentally for sleep.
2. Gradual Transfer Method
Instead of directly going from holding to the crib, try gradually:
- Hold until sleepy but not fully asleep
- Sit with them reclined somewhat
- Gradually change to a more horizontal position
- Complete moving to the crib
3. Snug Sleepwear
Dress your infant in comfortable, appropriate sleepwear like Momcozy Soft Bamboo Baby Pajamas. Comfortable newborn sleepers use breathable bamboo fabric that allows your infant to manage his or her own temperature while sleeping, thereby reducing the likelihood of waking up too hot or cold. The soft fabric also is calming to the sensitive skin of your baby, making sleeping time more enjoyable.
4. Sleep Training Methods
At 4-7 months, gentle sleep training methods can be tested to help your baby learn to soothe himself. Methods like the chair method, pick-up/put-down, or controlled comforting are effective when your baby wakes up every time you put him/her down.
How to Help Your Baby Sleep Without You
When your baby sleeps in arms but wakes upon being placed down, it is often because they have developed a sleep association that includes you. Gradually weaning them away from this pattern can help your little one sleep independently.
1. Create a Sleep-Conducive Environment
Darkness, quiet, and warmth of the sleeping environment convey to your baby that it's time for sleep. Experiment with:
- Blackout curtains
- Appropriate room temperature (68-72°F/20-22°C)
- A firm mattress with a fitted sheet
- Low stimulation (no toys or mobiles in the sleep space)
2. The "Drowsy But Awake" Approach
For newborns, it is often necessary to wait until they are in deep sleep before transferring them. However, as babies grow older (around 3-4 months), transitioning to a 'drowsy but awake' approach can help them develop independent sleep skills.
- Instead of waiting until your baby is fully asleep to put them down:
- Put them down when sleepy but awake
- This will help them learn to fall asleep in their sleep space
- Start with naps, which might be easier than nighttime sleeping
3. Progressive Waiting
If your "baby wakes up 10 minutes after being placed down" or your "baby wakes up 5 minutes after being placed down":
- Console briefly without picking up if possible
- Progressively extend time intervals between check-ups
- Keep interactions short and serene
What Should I Do If My Baby Doesn't Like Their Crib
When your baby sleeps for few minutes and wakes up in their crib, they are probably uncomfortable or not accustomed to this sleeping place. Here is how to fix it:
1. Establishing Familiarity
Get your baby accustomed to their crib:
- Provide awake playtime in the crib
- Wear the same sheet and sleep sack daily to maintain familiar scents
- Instead of placing loose fabric in the crib, consider using a wearable sleep sack that has been worn by the parent to provide a familiar scent
2. Crib Comfort
Make sure the crib itself is cozy:
- Check firmness and fit of the mattress
- See that room temperature is right
- Think about using a crib which can initially be placed right beside your own bed (sidecar setup)
3. Gradual Transitions
If your infant firmly insists on sleeping with you, then do a gradual transition:
- Begin with a single nap a day in the crib
- Increase crib time gradually
- Be consistent and patient with the process
4. Alternative Sleep Spaces
In case your baby is still refusing the crib, use alternative safe sleeping spaces temporarily while still persisting with attempting crib acceptance.
Conclusion
The "baby wakes up when put down" battle is a normal neurobiological and developmental process that typically improves with maturation of the central nervous system, establishment of circadian rhythms, and use of evidence-based sleep strategies. The biological underpinnings of infant sleep—from disorganized sleep to primitive reflexes—account for why this battle is so common among parents.
While these challenging nights seem to last an eternity, neurological sleep maturation is an ongoing process with chronologically predictable milestones. With consistent use of good sleep hygiene practices, most infants eventually develop gradually healthy sleep associations and self-regulation skills for longer stretches of more consolidated sleep.
