Embracing Newborn Care: Holding Your Baby, How Much Is Enough?

There are many different opinions on how much you should hold a newborn. Some people believe that you cannot spoil a newborn by holding them too much, and that holding a baby as much as possible is beneficial for their emotional development. Others argue that holding a baby too much can be a hard habit to break, and that it is important to put them down when they are sleeping. It is generally agreed that skin-to-skin contact is beneficial for newborns, and that holding a newborn is a wonderful thing that helps to build a bond between the baby and their caregiver.

You can't spoil a newborn by holding them too much

It is a common misconception that holding a newborn too much will spoil them. However, this is simply not true. In fact, holding your baby as much as possible, especially in the early weeks, is beneficial to their development.

The Benefits of Holding a Newborn

Holding a newborn has many benefits for both the baby and the parent. Firstly, it helps to meet the baby's basic needs. Newborns need to feel that the world is reliable and trustworthy, and that their needs will be met. By responding to their cues, such as crying or fussing, parents can help their babies feel secure and cared for. This also encourages bonding and interaction between the parent and child, fostering a close relationship.

Holding a newborn can also help regulate their breathing and heart rate, improve weight gain, and result in better growth. Additionally, the warmth of the parent's body and the sound of their heartbeat can be soothing and comforting for the baby. Holding a baby also provides an excellent opportunity for skin-to-skin contact, which is beneficial for premature or low birth weight babies.

Dispelling the Myths

One myth is that letting a baby cry a little will teach them independence. However, studies have shown that babies who receive a sense of security from their caregivers in the first year will be more independent, self-confident, and happier later on. Another myth is that holding a baby too much will make them clingy or dependent. On the contrary, babies who receive plenty of love and nurturing in their early months will develop a sense of kindness and empathy.

Tips for Holding a Newborn

When holding a newborn, it is important to always support their head and neck, as they lack the critical neck muscle control to do this themselves. The cradle hold is one of the easiest and best ways to hold a newborn, with the baby's head resting in the crook of your elbow and their body parallel to yours. Skin-to-skin contact while holding a baby can also enhance the bonding experience and provide warmth.

In conclusion, you cannot spoil a newborn by holding them too much. Holding a baby is an essential part of meeting their needs and helping them develop emotionally, physically, and intellectually. So, hold that precious newborn as much as you can and savour every moment!

Wash your hands before holding your newborn

Holding your newborn is essential for their emotional and physical development. It is impossible to spoil a baby by holding them too much or responding to their needs. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

Before holding your newborn, it is important to wash your hands. A newborn baby's immune system is still developing, so any germs you carry may make them sick. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitiser, every time before holding your baby. Ask anyone else who handles your baby to do the same.

• Get comfortable. It's normal to feel nervous or scared when holding a newborn for the first time. It takes time to get comfortable with the idea, so give yourself time and remember to breathe.
• Always support your newborn's head and neck. Their head is the heaviest part of their body, and they lack the critical neck muscle control to support it themselves. Pay special attention to the soft spots on the top of their head, known as the fontanelles.
• Choose a comfortable position for holding your baby. There are many different holds you can try, such as the cradle hold, upright position hold, or skin-to-skin contact. Experiment to see what feels best for you and your baby.
• Pay attention to your baby's mood. If they are fussy or crying, try changing their position or gently rocking them. Always ensure their head is turned out to allow them to breathe.
• Avoid multitasking while holding your baby. Do not cook, carry hot drinks, or handle sharp objects while holding them.
• Do not shake your baby, whether to play or out of frustration. Shaking a baby can cause bleeding in the brain and even death.

Get comfortable and confident holding your newborn

It's normal to feel nervous or even scared when holding your newborn for the first time. Here are some tips to help you get comfortable and confident in handling your baby:

Wash your hands

It is important to always have clean hands before handling your newborn. Their immune system is still developing, so any germs you carry may make them sick. Wash your hands with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitiser.

Get comfortable

Find a comfortable position for both you and your baby. It may take a few minutes to feel at ease holding your newborn, so give yourself time and remember to breathe!

Provide support

Always support your newborn's head and neck when holding them. Their head is the heaviest part of their body, and they lack the neck muscle control to support it themselves. Pay special attention to the soft spots on the top of their head, known as the fontanelles.

Choose your position

There are various ways to hold your baby, depending on the circumstance. Here are some common positions:

• The cradle hold: Hold your baby horizontally at chest level, with their head in the crook of your elbow and their body parallel to yours.
• Upright position: Hold your baby against your chest and shoulder, supporting their head, neck, and bottom.
• Lying position: Cradle your baby's head with one hand while resting their head against your chest. Use your other arm to support their neck and place their head in the crook of your elbow.
• Skin-to-skin contact: Place your naked baby on your bare chest, with their chest against yours. Cover them with a blanket to keep them warm.

Ask for help

If you're unsure or need help, don't hesitate to ask your partner, family, or a healthcare professional. It's also a good idea to have guests sanitise their hands before holding your baby.

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to hold your baby as long as you support their head and neck and focus on their safety. Enjoy the cuddles and the bonding experience!

Support your newborn's head and neck

Supporting your newborn's head and neck

The correct way to hold a newborn is to support their head and neck at all times. A newborn's head is the heaviest part of their body and they lack the critical neck muscle control to keep their head supported. This milestone usually isn't reached until the fourth month of their life.

When picking up your baby from their crib, slide one hand under their head and neck, and place your other hand under their bottom. Bend your knees so that you don't throw out your back. Now that you have a good grip on your baby, bring them in close to your chest while you straighten your legs.

To hold your baby in a lying position, cradle their head with one hand while resting their head against your chest. Use your other arm to support their neck while placing their head in the crook of your elbow. Support their bottom with your other hand. This position is great for making eye contact with your baby and smiling and talking to them, which can aid in their development and enhance their emotional security.

To hold your baby in an upright position, support their head and neck with one hand while resting them on your chest and shoulder. Support your baby's bottom with your other hand.

When bathing your baby, be sure to support their head with one hand while using your other hand to guide them into the baby bathtub. Make sure to keep most of their body and face above the water, and always keep a hand on them.

Skin-to-skin contact

Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is a great way to hold your newborn and can be started right after your baby is born. It involves placing your nearly naked baby on your bare chest with their chest touching yours. Drape a blanket or a gown over your baby's back to keep them warm. Skin-to-skin contact helps you and your baby bond and also helps regulate your baby's temperature, breathing, and heartbeat.

Choose a holding position that suits you and your baby

There are a variety of positions in which you can hold your newborn, and it's important to find one that suits both you and your baby. The key is to get comfortable and support your newborn's delicate head and neck. Here are some common holding positions:

Cradle hold

This is one of the easiest and best ways to hold your newborn for the first several weeks of life. Here's how to do it:

• With your baby horizontal at your chest level, slide your hand from their bottom up to support their neck.
• Gently nudge the baby's head into the crook of your elbow.
• While still cradling their head, move your hand from the supporting arm to their bottom.
• Your free arm will be able to do other things or provide extra support.

Lying position

This position is great for making eye contact with your baby and smiling and talking to them, which can aid in their development and enhance their emotional security. Here's how to do it:

• Cradle the baby's head with one hand while resting their head against your chest.
• Use your other arm to support their neck while placing their head in the crook of your elbow.
• Support their bottom with your other hand.

Upright position

This position is great for skin-to-skin contact, which helps you and your baby bond and also helps regulate your baby's temperature, breathing, and heartbeat. Here's how to do it:

• Support the baby's head and neck with one hand while resting them on your chest and shoulder.
• Support the baby's bottom with your other hand.

Football hold

This position is great if you've had a C-section, if you have large breasts, or if you've given birth to twins and want to feed both babies at the same time. Here's how to do it:

• Hold your baby to your side at the same level as your waist and support their back with your arm.
• Tilt their head up toward your breast.

Experiment with different holding positions to see what feels best for both you and your baby. Remember, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, and infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically, and intellectually.

Frequently asked questions