If you are a first time parent, learning the basics about your newborn can be quite challenging. Things likes holding the baby, changing a diaper and daily care can seem overwhelming. One of the many things people worry about is holding the baby correctly.
Remember to Relax
Babies can sense when you are upset or nervous, and that can upset them. If you are unsure of yourself when you pick him up, the baby may cry and arch his back, which makes holding him difficult. Babies can be frightened if they are picked up suddenly or they think they are falling. You can help prevent this by speaking softly to the baby while picking him up. Get a firm grip on the baby and quickly make him secure.
Holding Your Baby Securely
Once you have picked up the newborn, gently cradle his head. Newborns cannot support their own heads. You can do this by placing your hand under the baby’s head or cradling the baby with his head in the crook of your arm with your arm supporting the body. You can also lay the baby against your chest with one hand on his back and the other on the back of the head.
Learn What Your Baby Likes
Babies, even newborns, are like adults. They have their likes and dislikes. One baby may like to lay curled up against your chest with his head on your shoulder, while others like to lay in someone’s arm in the typical manner we think of when holding a baby while others are not content unless they are being held with their back against your chest so they can see what is going on.
Enjoy Each Other
Learning what works for you and your newborn takes time. Feeling confident when holding your baby will come if you relax. While you need to protect and watch out for your baby, he is not quite as fragile as you might think. Remember, this is all new to your baby as well. Practice makes perfect here, just like anything else you do, but practicing holding your baby is much more pleasant than many other tasks you have to do over and over!
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Belinda Mooney is a freelance writer.
Published: October 2009
