If you’re an expecting parent you probably have a million and one questions about how to raise your baby. While there are plenty of resources out there about how to care for a newborn, nothing trumps your parental instinct.
However, there are certain things about caring for your child that your instinct might not be able to teach you. One of these is how to hold a baby the right way. In fact, this does not always come naturally to most first-time parents.
Check out the rest of this blog for simple teachings on how to hold and carry your baby safely.
How To Hold a Baby: Hygiene First
Your newborn infant is susceptible to germs in the first few weeks and months of its life. So before you pick up your child, hygiene has to come first. You want to protect your child’s developing immune system, so make sure to wash and dry your hands well before holding them.
Otherwise, keep some hand sanitizer at-the-ready to ensure your hands are germ-free before you touch your baby.
You also want to ensure your baby is warm at all times. In the first few months, swaddles tend to work best. Check out these baby blankets for more.
Don’t Worry if It Feels Awkward at First
No first-time parent ever feels 100 percent comfortable in their ability to hold their newborn the first time around. It should be no different for you.
You don’t need to beat yourself up if you feel awkward and even uncomfortable at first when holding your child.
It may take you at least five minutes to find a comfortable position to hold them. If you feel nervous, this is totally normal. Just remember to relax, take your time, and breathe!
Head and Neck Support Is Key
Your newborn baby does not have well-developed neck muscles to hold up their own head for at least the first three months of life. This is why head and neck support is so important when holding and carrying a newborn.
The head is also the heaviest part of your infant. You also want to be especially careful around the soft spots at the top of their head — known as the fontanelles. The skull is still soft in this area and still developing.
Whichever way you choose to carry or hold your baby, make sure to prioritize head and neck support.
Get To Know Different Holding Positions
There are a number of different ways to hold and cradle your newborn — whichever way suits you and your child best is all that matters.
When you first go to hold your baby, you’ll have to pick them up from a lying position. In order to do so safely, place one hand under their head, and one hand under their bottom.
Raise your baby to chest level and get ready to put them into any of the following positions:
1. The Cradle Hold
This is probably the simplest hold for newborn babies and one that babies tend to respond to best.
In order to master this hold, your baby should be lying horizontally at chest level, in your arms. Cradle their head in the nook of your elbow, and use your hand/forearm to support their bottom-half.
You can use one arm or two for this hold.
2. The Shoulder Hold
Some babies are a little fussy, especially just after feeding, and might not want to lie down in a horizontal position. This is where the shoulder hold works best.
Your baby’s body should be parallel to your own, with its head at your shoulder height. Their head can rest on your chest or shoulder.
Make sure to support the back of their head and neck with one hand, while the other supports your baby’s bottom half.
3. The Belly Hold
This is yet another helpful position for fussy babies that need to be burped, or those than enjoy movement. Essentially, your baby is in a lying position, but face down across your forearm. Your newborn’s head should be facing your elbow, while your hand supports their bottom.
Basically, they should look like a sloth hanging over a tree branch, but on their tummy! Make sure the baby’s feet land on either side of your hand and keep your forearm at a slight upward angle.
4. The Lap hold
For a simple and convenient hold that frees up at least one hand, the lap hold is great. But you’ll need to be sitting down for this.
With your knees firmly together and feet on the ground, place your baby in your lap, face up. Baby’s head should be at your knees.
Their feet should be tucked in at your waist. If your baby starts to slip down towards your mid-drift, lift them up with your forearms, and support their head and body while doing so.
Be Aware Of Your Baby’s Mood
Sometimes, your baby might not want to be held in a certain position. This is completely normal. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to their mood and what they could be experiencing.
Switching up positions can help soothe a fussy, irritable, or crying baby. Whatever position you choose, always ensure your baby’s head is turned at a slight angle to allow them to breathe.
Some other tips to help you find your groove when holding and soothing your child include:
- Skin-to-skin contact on your chest is always a good idea as baby knows your smell, which can be very soothing for them — it’s also a great way to bond and keep them warm
- If you feel super nervous holding your newborn, opt for a seated position to start
- If you need to use your hands, a baby carrier can come in very handy — consider investing in a Boba Wrap or age-appropriate carrier
- You want to avoid all types of hazards when carrying your baby — this includes hot drinks, flames, working with knives, etc.
- If you’re nervous about taking the stairs with a newborn, hold them with both hands and take it slow
Finally, you want to keep in mind that while newborns are tiny at first, they are far less fragile than they look. The key to getting comfortable carrying your child is practice and knowing that you’ll find your groove in time!
Get Your Fix of Knowledge Just a Click Away
How to hold a baby is not innate to many first-time parents. Yes, it’s nerve-wracking and will take some practice. So don’t worry if it doesn’t come naturally to you! Follow these tips and you should be just fine.
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