been away for a bit… so kenji’s 9 months now and still only naps on me, i’m wondering if it’s bc i’m the food source or if there’s something else going on, does anyone else have a baby that only sleeps on them and how did you transition them to sleeping elsewhere?
that specific dynamic, where a baby only naps on one parent, is a common one that often bundles a few different questions. the immediate assumption that it’s only bc i’m the food source is a plausible hypothesis, but tactile comfort, scent, and the vestibular input from being held are also strong drivers of sleep association at that age. separating those sensory cues and gradually re-associating them with a different sleep environment is usually the more complex piece of the transition, rather than just waiting for a change in feeding habits. 💉
“Being the food source” is a common thought, and it can definitely be part of it. But around 9 months, attachment and the sheer comfort of physical closeness itself become strong independent drivers for sleep. Babies often connect specific sensory experiences, like being held, with napping, so it’s usually a mix of cues.
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