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The community accepts that contact naps and waking-on-transfer are normal in the early months, and suggests transferring only in deep sleep, using a jhula/cradle or motion, side-lying feeding, and starting with just one bed nap a day.
Parents are frustrated and worn out by babies who sleep beautifully in arms but wake instantly the second they're set down, fearing they'll never get a free moment or that contact-napping is a problem. The community reassures them that this is completely normal in the early months, that contact naps are fine, and offers concrete tactics - transferring only in deep sleep, using a jhula or carrier, side-lying feeding, and starting with a single short bed nap - while encouraging patience and consistency over a week or two.
Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.
Hold the baby until deep sleep (test by lifting an arm - if it falls without waking them, put them down). Lying down and feeding to sleep also helped.
Babies often like contact naps and only sleep when held during the day - that's fine; in a carrier they can still get rest even if they don't fully sleep.
Use a ghodiya/jhoola: before baby gets overtired, put him in, hide the hanging toys, and have someone rock it ~15-20 minutes; swaddle first if he cries. Borrow one before buying since they're bulky.
Start with just one bed nap a day, ideally the short morning nap; let him contact-sleep ~20 minutes then put him down, so even if he wakes it's okay.
Feed to sleep in the side-lying position for afternoon naps so you both doze off and there's no transfer hassle.
White noise (high volume, speaker away from baby) and a short outdoor walk can soothe baby down for naps.
When you put baby down in deep sleep and they stir, avoid eye contact and conversation - light patting helps them go back to sleep.
Sometimes leave your scent (a worn scarf/dupatta) beside the baby so they feel secure after transfer.
The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.
Last reviewed: June 17, 2026
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