The Best Comfort Tools for Babies Who Love to Be Held

If your baby wants to be held all. the. time, welcome to the club. As sweet as those cuddles are, constantly being the only person who can comfort your baby can get exhausting. And there's nothing wrong with loving your baby deeply while also thinking, Girl, I just need to use the bathroom by myself.

The good news is that babies who love to be held aren't being difficult. Being close to you is comforting because you're familiar, safe, and predictable.

The goal isn't to stop your baby from needing comfort. It's to give them more than one way to feel comforted. Here's 5 tools to have in your toolbox for the baby who always wants to be held:

1. A Baby Carrier

A baby carrier can be a lifesaver during those stages when your baby wants to be close but you still need your hands. You can walk around, make lunch, fold laundry, or simply have two free hands while your baby gets the closeness they're craving.

2. A Favorite Swaddle or Sleep Sack

For young babies, a properly used swaddle can provide a cozy, secure feeling that reminds them of being held. As babies grow and begin showing signs that they're ready to stop swaddling, transition to an appropriate sleep sack instead.

3. A Pacifier

Sometimes your baby doesn't need to be held because they're hungry. They simply want to suck for comfort. That's where an infant pacifier can become a helpful comfort tool. And if your baby is breastfeeding, remember that a pacifier doesn't have to replace those sweet feeding moments. It's simply another tool you can use when your baby wants to suck for comfort.

4. The Ingy Bingy Band

The infant pacifier is only helpful if it stays in baby's mouth. The Ingy Bingy Band is the way to make that happen from has early as four months. Now let's talk about one of my favorite solutions for the baby who somehow loses their pacifier every seventeen seconds.

The Ingy Bingy Band is a buttery-soft pacifier wristband that velcros around your baby's wrist and attaches to virtually every newborn pacifier and infant pacifier on the market. Unlike a traditional pacifier clip, which attaches to clothing, the Ingy Bingy Band keeps the pacifier attached directly to your baby.

That means fewer dropped pacifiers and less time spent crawling around the floor looking for the thing your baby suddenly cannot live without.

As babies develop, having their pacifier within reach can also help them begin learning to find and replace it independently.

5. Your Voice

Never underestimate the power of Mom's voice. Talking, singing, praying, or simply narrating what you're doing can help your baby feel connected to you even when you're not physically holding them.

Sometimes they don't need another gadget. They just need to know you're close.

You Don't Have to Hold Your Baby Every Second

Here's the reminder I wish more moms heard:

You are allowed to need a break. Your baby needing you doesn't mean you have to completely disappear as a person. Use the carrier, offer the pacifier, let Dad take a turn and don't feel guilty about it.

Comfort isn't about finding a way to make your baby need you less. It's about giving your baby safe, loving ways to feel secure while giving Mom a little breathing room too.

 

 

FAQ: Comforting Babies Who Always Want to Be Held

Why does my baby always want to be held?

Babies are wired for closeness. Being held provides warmth, movement, familiar smells, sounds, and a sense of security. Wanting to be held is especially common during the newborn stage and periods of growth or developmental change.

How can I comfort my baby without holding them?

Try a baby carrier, swaddle or sleep sack when age-appropriate, gentle rocking, your voice, or an infant pacifier. You can also have another trusted caregiver offer comfort so your baby learns that other people can help them feel safe too.

What is the best pacifier for a newborn?

The best newborn pacifier is one that is appropriately sized for your baby's age, made from safe materials, and accepted comfortably by your baby. If your baby already has a favorite pacifier, there's no need to switch simply because another brand is popular.

What is the difference between a pacifier clip and a pacifier wristband?

A pacifier clip typically attaches a pacifier to your baby's clothing. A pacifier wristband, such as the Ingy Bingy Band, attaches directly around your baby's wrist so their comfort tool stays closer to them.

What is a pacifier bracelet?

A pacifier bracelet is a wearable accessory designed to keep a baby's pacifier attached to them. The Ingy Bingy Band is a buttery-soft wristband that attaches to virtually every major newborn pacifier and infant pacifier.

Can a pacifier help a clingy baby?

A pacifier can be a useful comfort tool for babies who enjoy sucking. It won't replace the need for connection, cuddles, or responsive care, but it can give your baby another way to find comfort.

When can a baby find their own pacifier?

Babies develop this skill at different rates. As their motor skills develop, some babies can learn to locate and replace a pacifier that is kept within reach. The Ingy Bingy Band is designed to keep the pacifier attached directly to the baby's wrist, which can make it easier for them to locate their comfort tool from as early as four months.

Is an Ingy Bingy Band the same as a pacifier clip?

No. A traditional pacifier clip attaches to clothing, while the Ingy Bingy Band is a pacifier wristband that attaches around the baby's wrist. It is designed to keep the pacifier closer to the baby rather than hanging from their outfit which limits choking hazards and allows them to be able to get it into their mouth on their own from a younger age.

 

 

 

The Ingy Bingy Band is not your everyday pacifier clip! This game-changing pacifier wristband helps babies self-soothe at a younger age than ever before! Instinctively, babies gnaw on their hands in an attempt to soothe. The Ingy Bingy pacifier wristband keeps their pacifier right where they’ll find it, allowing your baby to comfort and calm themselves while you do whatever it is you need to do!

Our buttery soft wristband comes in two styles to accommodate every pacifier.

Our Pacific style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Avent, BIBS, Dr. Brown’s, MAM, Nuby, NUK, Medela, FRIGG, Nanobébé, Tommee Tippee, and Chicco pacifiers. 

Our Sequoia style should be used when your baby’s pacifier holes are near their nose and chin when in use. It is most commonly used with Itzy Ritzy, Ryan & Rose, and The Dearest Grey pacifiers.  

If you are still unsure which pacifier wristband style is right for you, check out our style guide or text the name and/or picture of your preferred paci & we’ll let you know which style is right for you!