My Baby Doesn’t Like Being Held

If your baby does not like being held, this could be due to all kinds of reasons. Pinpointing the exact reason for their not wanting this kind of attention might not always be that easy.

It can be very confusing if your child has recently developed this trait. To help you out and hopefully determine why your baby does not want to be held, you should consider these nine potential reasons.

One-offs

You must be careful to make sure this isn’t a one-off situation and draw unnecessary conclusions. Just because your baby does not like to be held one day or even for short periods of time doesn’t necessarily mean something wrong.

Sometimes there are going to be one-off situations where your baby is just not wanting the attention or wanting to be held. Sometimes your baby is going through something that they need to figure out. Try not to over-analyze.

You should only be concerned if this behavior goes on for extended periods of time. If uncertainty or stress is getting the best of you, don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s pediatrician.

Being over-stimulated

Babies can be over-stimulated, and your little one might just need some personal space. Just like adults, your baby also needs alone time now and then.

In fact, some alone time is actually great for your kid’s mental and emotional development. Try not to over-exert yourself on your baby, or your baby could become too dependent.

Not wanting to be held is just one sign that points to your baby, possibly being over-stimulated.

Needs someone else

Try not to get offended by this, but your baby might need to spend time with someone other than you. You obviously love your baby, or you wouldn’t be trying to figure all of this out.

However, you might need to give your baby more time with your partner or spouse. If your child is around the six-month mark and you are still their primary caretaker at day and night, then you should look into daycare and other ways to socialize them with other people and settings.

It is not a good idea for your baby to be around the same person any time they are awake. Otherwise, your child might not develop enough emotionally.

Needs something else

Your baby might need something else. If holding them and cuddling with them has worked up until now and they suddenly seem to yearn for distance, you should know all kinds of developments relating to their age could be the factor.

Your child could be learning to roll, sit up, or crawl. They might be enjoying these new skills, and your baby could want to enjoy those new activities.

Your little one just might need something else. Try not to let this offend you. Your baby does still loves you.

Colic

If your baby does not want to be held and your baby is crying incessantly, they might be dealing with colic.

Colic is very common in babies, and your child might need space to cope with what’s going on in their world.

Colic is associated with gas or digestion issues, and the crying periods are associated with your baby learning how to handle gas and digest things.

Not wanting to be held is just one symptom of colic that accompanies the crying spells. You should be on the lookout for other symptoms, too.

Wrong position or place

It could also be the position in which your baby is being held or their current environment.

Your baby might normally love to be held on your shoulder, but today they might want to be held in your lap, below your chest like a protected football, face to face, or on your hip.

You should also consider that your little one might not like being held in certain rooms or settings. Noise, light, and temperature could impact those feelings for your baby.

Sleepy

While it might help hold your baby from time to time to get them to nod off, your child might be at that stage in life where holding them is not best for their exhausted little minds and bodies.

Around four months of age, your baby needs to start learning to fall asleep on their own. Sometimes parents have a hard time coping with this and yearn for that affection at night, so try not to beat yourself.

You are not the only parent that years for this. Know that your baby might need to do his or her own thing when falling asleep. Don’t worry. They will still love you when they awake.

Doesn’t feel well

If your baby is not feeling well, they might want to be left alone. You must remember that your baby is susceptible, and all kinds of things can set them off.

Your baby also can easily become sick. One sign that your baby is ill is that your child might not want to be held.

Your baby feels so bad that they just want to be left alone. There are all kinds of signs that point to a sick baby. Be on the lookout for them.

More serious issue

You may need just to go ahead and reach out to your baby’s pediatrician. He or she can help you pinpoint why your baby doesn’t like to be held.

Your child’s medical provider can also rule out more serious issues. Conditions like autism and cerebral palsy sometimes make it seem that a baby does not want to be held. Your provider can rule out these conditions or start treating them right away.

Conclusion

Any of the nine aforementioned potential reasons could be the cause for your baby not wanting to be held.

For your peace of mind and your baby’s well-being, pay close attention to each of these previously discussed reasons.

If the behavior continues or you just cannot seem not to let it bother you, do not feel bad about seeking medical advice.