There’s no doubt about the love parents have for their babies—it’s an endless source of joy, and they never tire of looking at them. When mothers see their babies sleeping with a smile on their faces, they’re filled with happiness. However, attentive mothers might have noticed that babies often sleep with their hands raised. Sometimes, mothers worry that the baby might catch a chill, so they tuck their little hands back under the blanket. But before long, the baby raises their hands again, leaving mothers both amused and helpless. So today, let’s talk about why babies like to sleep with their hands raised.
1. Staying Cool
Babies have a different constitution from adults—their metabolism is faster, which means they generate more heat and tend to feel warmer. Naturally, parents are more concerned about their babies getting cold, so they often dress them in thick clothes and cover them with heavy blankets. To stay cool, babies naturally stretch their hands out.
How to address this?
When you notice your baby stretching their hands out while sleeping, as a precaution, mothers can check if the baby is sweating too much. If so, they can wipe the baby’s body with a slightly cool towel or switch to a lighter blanket. This can help avoid the baby catching a chill from trying to stay cool while ensuring appropriate measures are taken based on the baby’s specific needs.
2. A Habit Formed in the Womb
As babies grow in the womb, the space becomes increasingly limited. By the later stages, they are usually curled up, which naturally leads to this posture becoming a habit even after birth. This position not only feels familiar to them but also provides a sense of security.
How to address this?
Parents don’t need to worry too much about this, as it tends to lessen as the baby grows. In fact, upon closer observation, mothers might find this posture quite adorable. If there’s no major issue and the weather isn’t too cold, there’s no need to forcefully tuck the baby’s hands back under the blanket. Of course, if mothers are still concerned, they can opt for a longer sleeping bag for the baby, which is a great solution.
