How To Hold Your Baby Safely? Easy 4 Step Guide.

You have waited for a whole nine months to have that baby, and now the baby has arrived. You may be having certain questions in your mind especially if you’re a first-time parent.

These questions could be related to the best way to care for your baby to ensure that no harm comes to them. Whether or not you are an experienced parent you may also find certain issues confusing, such as the ways to hold your baby safely.

Holding a newborn baby may seem a very easy thing to do, but that is not the case, most times, it can really be a herculean task.

You may be worried that the baby may just slip off your arms and it is perfectly ok to think this way especially for new parents.

While it is normal to have this fear, there are actually ways you can learn to keep your baby safe in your arms.

New babies are very fragile to hold. But there is absolutely nothing to worry about only if you can carefully follow the stipulated guidelines in the paragraphs below.

New parents will show some nervousness when holding their baby, and they will always try to ensure that the baby does not get hurt by any means.

However, it is very easy to overcome these fears, only when you develop an understanding of how a baby may react to the different ways they are held. You can then take advantage of the best method.

You recollect the first time the nurse gave you the baby to hold for the first time, how your hands shivered. I am very sure that your heart must have skipped a beat holding your baby for the first time.

Regardless of what you may have heard or what anyone may have told you just to make you feel alright, holding a baby is never an easy thing to do if you do not have the experience. In this article, you will find out the best ways to hold your baby safely. Following these steps will give you the experience of a lifetime

Here Is A Step-Wise Guide to Holding Your Baby Safely

Step 1: Keep A Clean Hand First

Your baby at an infancy stage of life can be very fragile, and you would not want any germs getting on their body. The immune system of your baby is not strong enough at this point to fight off any germ, that is why is necessary to wash your hand with soap and water first, you can use warm water if possible. (1)

Step 2: Be Comfortable Enough

One of the most important aspects of holding your baby is whether or not you are comfortable. You do not only have to show physical comfort; you also want to be confident when you hold your baby. It is very fine to feel scared at the initial time, but with time, you will certainly get used to the idea. (2)

Step 3: Offer Support

When you hold a newborn baby, you should endeavor to provide support for the baby. You should hold their head up because it is actually their heaviest body part at this stage of life. While doing this, you should pay close attention to the fontanelles of the baby.

The fontanelle is that soft spot you will find almost at the center of their head. The neck muscles of the newborn baby are only too fragile to support the head that is why you must not act in a way that puts stress on their neck.

Therefore, offering support for the neck is the best way to go.

Step 4: Select Your Position

Before you hold your baby, you have to be able to pick that baby up first. When you want to pick the baby up, one of your hands should be placed right below their head, while you use the other hand to support their bottom.

Once you have reached this position, you can now raise up the body to your upper body.  The position to assume is left for you to decide, but first, you have to ensure that you have provided enough support for the baby’s neck and head.

There are different positions you can assume when you hold your baby, and there are some that your baby might seem to enjoy. Pay attention and take advantage of whatever your baby seems to enjoy.

Below Are Some of The Position You Can Hold the Baby

• Cradle Hold

By this position, your baby will be placed horizontally to your chest. You can move your hand from the bottom straight up to offer support for the neck muscles. At this point, your hand is folded a bit, now gently push the head of the baby into that small fold of the hand.

Now take your away from the arm that is providing support and slide it down to the bottom, this you will do while you still cradle their head. You will have an arm that will be free to provide support whenever it is needed.

• Shoulder Hold

You can take the baby’s head up to the height of the should, while your body remains parallel with that of the baby. In this position, you will put one hand to support both the neck and the head. Let your free hand swipe to the bottom to offer support there. This position should allow the baby to feel your heartbeat.

• Belly Hold

In this position, you will lay the stomach of the baby down, and over the forearm, the head will direct towards the elbow. In this position, the supporting arm will be right below the bottom of the baby, while you will have one hand completely free. You can use this free hand to gently rub the baby’s back if you want to.

• Lap Hold

In the lap hold position, you are required to be in a chair, and keep the feet on the floor firmly. Now put the baby on your thighs. And let the baby face upright. The baby’s head should rest on your hand that is already resting on your thighs.

• Hip Hold

This position is only recommended when the baby is three months and older. At this age, the neck muscles will be strong enough to support the weight of the head. Lie the baby down on your hip bone and make him lie with his back. Now put your hands on his waist and hold firmly.

Ways to Hold Your Baby Safely When He Is Crying

While there seems to be some argument about a baby’s training method known as cry-to-sleep, Dr. Robert Hamilton, a pediatrician has found a position that is very effective in stopping the cry of the baby almost instantly, which he calls the “hold technique” (3).

This position is only good for babies who are below the age of three months, and after three they will become too heavy for the position again.

How to Hold A Baby Safely When You Are Bathing Him

You can make your baby enjoy bathing by putting him in a certain position when you bathe him.

Put one of your hands on the shoulder and back of the baby, place the other hand at the bottom while you lower the baby into the bathwater.

Once the baby is now in the bathwater, let the hand that is holding the head remain in position while you use the other hand to wash the baby’s body.

Check-in

Always try to pay very close attention to the mood of your baby when you are holding him (4)

If the baby is crying or has become fussy; you may want to try out another position that might be suitable. Adapt to any position that the baby seems to be comfortable with. Whatever position you assume, always ensure that the baby’s neck is not being stressed at all.

Word From Us

You may want to try to make the skin of the baby to touch your own as you hold him. Doing this will make them too quickly bond with you. You may want to do this by allowing the baby to wear only diapers while you place on bare skin. Try as much as possible to promote an emotional connection through physical closeness.

Find a seat and sit down whenever you feel less confident in holding the baby. Sitting down while carrying a baby might also be good for those individuals who might not have the strength to carry a baby while standing, such children.

If you want to hold your baby on without your hands, you can use a carrier for babies. Baby carriers come with instructions, so ensure you read all the instructions therein. before using it.

If you want to be holding your baby for a longer time, you can use a pillow made solely for infants while you hold the baby.

Whenever you carry your baby avoid doing things like cooking or holding hot beverages. These things may cause serious injuries. You might also want to steer clear of people who are doing dangerous things.

If you want to climb a staircase, you should hold your baby firmly with both hands, this will be for added security.