How to Hold a Newborn Baby Properly

For new parents, there are some things that are often confusing, such as how to hold a newborn. Learn different ways to hold a newborn to make your baby feel comfortable.

How to Hold a Newborn Baby

Carrying a newborn baby should be done carefully. This is because the baby's body is still fragile. Various variations of how to hold a newborn give mothers and fathers the opportunity to make skin to skin contact with the baby, or to make the baby burp. There is a presumption that babies should not be carried too often because it can make them more fussy and do not want to be laid or baby smells of hands. However, these assumptions have not been proven correct.

Reinforcing Bonding with Babies

Holding a baby can be one way to strengthen the bond between parents and babies. When holding a newborn, it is important to always support her head and neck. This is because the neck of the new baby is quite strong at the age of 1-2 months, where he has started to be able to lift his head when in the nape position.

There are several ways to hold a newborn baby, namely:

Holding

This is the most common way of holding a newborn baby. First, take the lying baby and place one of your arms under his neck and head. Meanwhile, the other hand is on his ass.

Lift the baby and adjust the position of the baby until he feels comfortable. The head and neck should be on the inner arm or fold of the arm when carried. Perform a slow swinging motion. This is the most appropriate position to stare at each other with the baby.

Carrying while hugging

Generally this is done after the baby has finished breastfeeding. Use one hand to raise the baby's head and neck, then the other hand is used to support his buttocks. The position of the baby is vertically aligned with the direction of your body.

In this position, you can also place the baby on the chest or shoulders. The baby can feel comfortable listening to the heartbeat of his parents. Remember to keep an eye on your head and neck, and make sure your little one's nose isn't covered.

Carrying the baby's nape position

This type of baby is very appropriate when the baby is fussy. The baby's position is perched on the nape, while the head and neck are on one of the inner arms and the tip of your palm supports both of the baby's legs. Make sure the baby's face is not covered.

In this position, you can freely wipe or pat the baby's back with the other hand. This position is also good for removing the wind from the baby's stomach (belching) so that the baby feels comfortable.

Carrying for breastfeeding

It's the same way as baby-raising. Try to keep one hand on the baby's ass. Then bring the baby closer to the breast to suckle. You can use the help of a pillow or other brace to support your child's body.

Avoid Shaking Babies

When holding a baby, avoid shaking her body. Shaking the baby excessively can cause a brain haemorrhage, even leading to death. This is known as shaken baby syndrome (SBS). In addition to shaking, other actions such as throwing and dropping the baby's body can also cause this condition.

This shaken baby syndrome can occur until the child is 5 years old, but newborns aged 6-8 weeks are most at risk. Certain conditions also increase the risk of SBS, i.e. in infants with special needs or have certain conditions, such as colic.

Ignorance of parents or babysitters often causes injury to the baby because it is too tightly shaken. Swinging or lifting the baby in normal interactions is not dangerous, just do not shake the baby under any conditions.

How to hold a newborn baby should be really considered. But, avoid doubt or worry excessively, because it can make the baby uncomfortable. Enjoy holding the baby, while looking at his every move and mannerisms.