Holding Baby?

It partly the oxytocin that gets released (at least for women). My personal theory is that when you hold him you are usually a) sitting down or b) rocking him. For sleep deprived new parents, I think anytime you sit down or start swaying back and forth it puts you to sleep too, because you need the rest!
Best new mom advice I ever got was to nap when they nap for the first 3-4months..to make up for all those nightwakings..

It's a release of several chemicals and hormones... I honestly don't remember which... but it's the neurochem part of the bonding process. It happens with non-parents as well when they hold infants *usually*. ((Just like the old dating trick of a single man pushing a baby carriage or having a puppy in the park)). Ditto something happens with the infants of most mammals to mammals of *other* species as long as they're not hungry. ((AKA why you can find a dog nursing a kitten... and why we get all gooey inside with ducklings even though we're chasing ducks off with sticks and bb guns.)) There've been several studies that relate to both neurotransmitters and hormone release between humans and infants... I just don't remember any of the finer details.

As one of my psych profs used to say "Babies survive on charm. OTW no one would want to deal with them."

And "charm" is a physiological response... of many facets. Even including pupil dilation (when someone's pupils widen it means they're happy or aroused... aka they like us... and babies pupils are dilated *most* of the time... but that's only one trigger amongst scores of them; facial expression/ pheramones/ tons of schtuff).

Just smell the top of a baby's head, and you will KNOW there's something wonderful going on! There is definitely a hormonal connection between the pheromones that little head will put out and the mommy and daddy holding that cuddly warm ball of sweetness. Sooooo many unplanned naps have taken place as a result, could it be that Mother Nature intended us to be able to get some rest when the baby does? Yes. I think so!

So does that explain why I have so many photos of my mom completely ASLEEP with my babies in her arms ?! LOL My dad too!! They'd come to visit us when the kids were little and they sit on the sofa and lean back, the baby would doze off and my folks would be "out" too! :))

I always thought that I did it because I was just exhausted! But I'm sure there must be some pheromones released or something too. Some sort of psychological/physiological 1-2 punch that tells you that "all is well" so you get REALLY relaxed.

Sounds like a mixture of hormones being released, you finding a comfortable spot to relax and hold the baby and the warmth of the baby himself. 3 great ingredients for making you sleepy.

I think I experienced this too. It's probably because we don't realize how tired we are until we're able to just sit quietly and relax. My husband can fall asleep super fast and would always struggle to stay awake when holding our sleeping baby.

I can't tell you how many times I have nodded off while holding my son. Thankfully I realized this and got him to fall asleep on his own. Phew! One less thing for me to worry about dropping my baby.

I believe its called oxytocin. When you breastfeed- you can get super sleepy too. Its a feel-good hormone that is released...very common-congrats on your new little one! I have felt it many times!!!

Honestly, I'm going to guess it's pretty simple...you are relaxing for once, your breathing is calm and rythmic and you're probably tired, so you naturally get sleepy when faced with getting to sit and relax...enjoy!

-M

It's so true! Even my girlfriends who would come by and hold my baby would leave saying, "Her sleep rubbed off on me, I am going to go nap!"

I was always really sleepy when breastfeeding.
Course with a baby I was always tired all the time anyway, could that be the same for you as well?

E. M.
This is pretty strange never have i heard of such a thing. you must consult a doctor. Wishing you all the best.

Preetiraval