Is It Normal for a Newborn to Always Want to Be Held?

Just like adults, newborns have different temperaments; some babies are more relaxed and other babies tend to be fussy. A baby with high needs may insist on being held frequently, crying whenever she̵7;s not in someone̵7;s arms. Although this is challenging, you can care for a high-needs baby by focusing on the child̵7;s needs and striving to meet them.

  1. Newborn Transitions

    • After birth, a newborn moves abruptly from the soothing environment of the womb to a stimulating, cold and unfamiliar environment. A newborn often responds to this change by becoming overwhelmed and overstimulated, warns clinical psychologist Laura Markham of Aha!Parenting.com. It̵7;s common for a baby to prefer the snugness of someone̵7;s arms, especially if he feels overwhelmed by too much noise and commotion.

    Holding Reduces Fussing

    • If you can give your baby more time in your arms, you may find that she cries less. The more time you spend holding your baby, both when she feels content and when she feels fussy, the less time she may spend crying overall. A study done by physicians Urs. A. Hunziker and Ronald G. Barr at The McGill University-Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute in Canada found that parents who carried a young baby at least three hours per day successfully reduced crying by 43 percent. It̵7;s also important to respond to a newborn's crying quickly to provide the child with security, which should reduce overall fussiness.

    Definition of High Needs

    • A high-needs baby may have an intense cry that loudly and urgently demands a parental response, according to pediatrician and author William Sears of AskDrSears.com. The newborn may not sleep much, often displaying high energy, which may feel demanding and draining to you. A breastfeeding newborn may want to breastfeed for extended periods, which also necessitates holding. Another hallmark of a high-needs baby is difficulty with transitions. When you transfer a high-needs baby out of your arms, into his crib or an infant seat, he may object strenuously.

    Managing Demands

    • With a newborn̵7;s normal desire to be held, you may find it difficult to manage other responsibilities. Wearing the baby in a sling or front carrier can be helpful because it gives her the snug closeness she desires, while freeing your hands to do other tasks. By about 1 month of age, you might expect your newborn to sit in an infant seat or lay on a blanket for a short time, but it̵7;s not realistic to expect your baby to stay happy out of your arms for long, advises Markham.

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