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After all those months of carrying
your baby safely inside you, you may be a little confused about holding
your baby after birth. It is perfectly normal to be nervous the first time
you hold a newborn baby. But it won’t take long before you–and the
people you trust–will be handling your baby with ease. Here are some
tips:
• Be
confident. The best thing you can do to help both you and your
new baby feel comfortable is to handle her with gentle confidence, in a
way that evokes the security she’s felt for the past nine months
inside the womb. Babies like to be held close and snugly, so use both
hands and keep your baby close to your body.
• Touch
and talk. It’s important
for baby to be aware of you before you pick her up. Gently touch baby
and talk to her to let her know you’re there. Then rub your hand on
her tummy or back for a few seconds before you lift her up. Go slowly.
Never make quick movements with a newborn baby; they can startle and
upset baby. Also lift a young baby slowly; never swoop her up. Always
slip one hand under baby’s neck and head before picking her up–to
protect the neck area since that’s where your newborn needs the most
careful support.
The four best ways to carry your baby
Once you’re holding your baby,
there are several different ways to carry her. Try all the different ways
to find out which one/ones is/are most comfortable for you and your baby.
Used for small infants, the cradle carry lets you easily cradle
your baby in one of your arms as you walk.
The shoulder carry:
Some babies are more comfortable resting on a shoulder. Just make sure
always to support baby’s head until she can do it herself.
The hip carry:
The hip carry, which leaves one of your arms free, is for older babies
who’ve mastered head and neck control.
The front-face carry:
Place one arm under your baby’s buttocks, and wrap your other arm
around her chest to hold her close to you. That way, baby can face the
world around her.
Laying the baby down
When it’s time to put your baby
down, support her head until it touches the mattress or car seat. Hold
baby next to your body for as long as possible–the less time baby’s in
the air and away from you, the happier and safer she’ll feel.
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