“Syndrome of the cradle with spikes.”
What is Syndrome of the cradle with spikes ?
I think there is no better name to define this situation and, although I do not know its origin, it could have occurred to any parent who has lived it (probably it has crossed the mind of someone who does not even know of its existence), since that there is no better way to define it.
First of all, clarify that it is not a “syndrome,” or disease, or any pathological circumstance; rather the opposite, it is a totally normal and very frequent event.
For those who still do not know, the “Syndrome of the cradle with spikes” is used to define the following situation: it is a healthy and happy baby, without any obvious pathology, who performs without problems (breastfeeding or breastfeeding). Bottle), after which it shows a feeling of total fullness and satiety. At that moment, that baby who has completed the feeding, has passed the gases (if he has any), has his diaper changed and dry and is warm and very comfortable in his parents’ arms, he begins to fall asleep peacefully. We keep him in our arms for a long time (to reduce regurgitation and promote bonding with the parents) and, when it seems that he has entered a deep sleep, we prepare to gently leave him in his crib, with all the care and delicacy of the world, so you don’t wake up to movement. And it is at that moment when the “spiked crib syndrome” becomes evident since as soon as it is left in its crib, the baby wakes up abruptly as if something “burned” or “pricked” him in the cradle. Back.
If we pick him up again, we leave him asleep and try the same operation, leaving him in his crib. The same thing happens again as if he had a radar. And so on repeatedly, which can be exasperating for parents.
Is something important?
Although it may seem unusual and very strange, for us pediatricians, it is not. On the contrary, it is a frequent reason for consultation in our day-to-day, much more than you imagine.
And although we do not worry about this situation at all, the difficulty of this consultation lies in transmitting this tranquillity to the parents and relatives of the child. It can be difficult to convince them that nothing is wrong with the child, and even more so when they begin to compare him with the brother, the cousin, the neighbour’s child,… to whom it did not happen, and they sleep or slept the whole night at a stretch. Probably if you have come this far reading and looking for information online, it is because it has also happened to you and, although your pediatrician has played it down, you still have that restlessness.
Before continuing to explain, I recommend that you also read my post on what to do when the child cries, whether to hold him or not because he gets used to it. In it, I explain why children need to be in the arms of their parents and the benefits of this practice.
what is the cause?
It should come as no surprise that this is so since the same is true in the rest of nature. Most animals stay with their young for as long as they need it. If we look at our closest species, that of primates, we can easily understand it. Do these animals release their young when they are hooked on their body to leave them alone in an inhospitable place for them? And if you look at other species of mammals, what do the young usually do as soon as they start walking minutes or hours after birth? They run after their mothers and are not separated from them.
The difference with our species is that our children will not be able to run after us until they start to walk, and until that moment comes, we will be the ones who will have to carry them.
Although I repeat myself once more, I insist that children do not get used to arms; they need them by nature.
When the child is in a cold place and alone, he feels helpless, unprotected, in danger; that is why by simple survival instinct, he begins to cry to get his parents’ attention, who are supposed to be there to protect him. and help you. Although we know that a crib is a safe place, that the heating is on, that it is inside the house, that we are close to them for what they need, … they at that age cannot be aware of it, that is why they claim the arms to feel protected.
A baby that an adult does not protect is a baby that is at risk of dying since it cannot defend itself from possible dangers; it can die from the cold or be eaten by a predator. If the old babies had not cried for help and protection, our species would have become extinct. THEREFORE, IT IS A NATURAL REACTION.
Why spiked cradle syndrome occurs ?
Spiked crib syndrome in the baby
The baby after spending 9 months in the mother’s womb, feeling the heartbeat, being gently rocked by the constant rocking, and accustomed to the mother’s smell that make him feel protected and safe; Suddenly, he is born and experiences very important changes. Many babies need to continue to feel this protection and while many parents hope their babies will settle for their quiet and still crib, the little ones will not accept it.
Many parents wonder if the baby has a radar or something like that that alerts them when they are being placed on the mattress of her crib and what makes them wake up immediately like a spring.
