It may sound simple, but you'll be surprised how many people don't actually know how to properly hold their newborn baby. It seems like something that you can just jump into. But truth is, there's a lot that goes into holding your baby. And if you're unsure what it is exactly you need to do before and when you're holding your child, then continue reading below. RPP Kids has listed some factors you need to be mindful of when you're holding your child.
Holding Your Newborn Child
First Things First, Wash Your Hands
This is the first thing many parents forget to do, and it's one of the most important steps. Before you pick up your newborn child, always make sure that you wash your hands. Newborn children are susceptible to a myriad of bacteria which can cause them to be sick. For this reason, always make sure you wash your hands before you touch your child. Also, make sure you have sanitizer handy for any guests who want to cuddle your baby.
Get Comfortable
You want to make sure that your child is comfortable as you're holding them. But more so, you also want to make sure that you're equally comfortable holding your child. And being comfortable doesn't only mean being physically comfortable. You must also feel comfortable and confident in holding your baby as well. If you're new to holding a baby, we suggest that you take at least 5 minutes to get used to the idea of holding a child before you pick them up.
It's okay to feel a little unsettled at first. But don't let your anxiety take over. Take your time and breathe. If you're fairly new to holding a newborn child, we recommend that you take a seat as you're doing so. You can rest easy as you're holding your child when you sit in our Como Ottoman. We also have plenty of other gliders, rockers, recliners, and ottomans for you to choose from.
Support
When you hold a newborn, it's crucial that you always have one hand supporting the head and neck. And this is because the head is always the heaviest part of a newborn's body at birth. Newborns don't possess the necessary neck muscles needed to keep their heads supported on their own until they're at least 4 months old. For this reason, head support will always be needed. Also, when you're holding your child, it's crucial that you pay special attention to their fontanelles, the soft spot on the top of their head.
Choose The Position
When you're beginning to hold your newborn, first begin by placing one hand under their head and another under their bottom. Then, gently lift their body to your chest level. So long as you're supporting your child's head and neck, the position you choose is up to you.
There are four positions:
- Cradle Hold
- Shoulder Hold
- Belly Hold
- Lap Hold
For this article, we'll only be talking about how to perform the Cradle Hold. But you should research more into how you perform the other holds. It's important that you experiment and see which hold works best for you and your newborn child.
Cradle Hold
This type of hold is one of the easiest ways to hold your newborn for the first several weeks of their life. To perform it, just follow these simple steps:
- When you lift your child to your chest level as mentioned above, slide your hand from their bottom up to support their neck.
- Very gently, nudge your baby's head into the crook of your elbow.
- With your newborn's head still cradled in the crook of your elbow, move your hand from the supporting arm (the arm in which the elbow is occupied by the baby's head) to their bottom.
By following these steps, carefully, you'll be able to perform the cradle hold with no problems whatsoever. Also, by performing the cradle hold properly, you'll have a free hand available to perform other activities when needed.
Shop at RPP Kids Today For The Best Baby Products Around
When you want quality baby products sold at affordable rates, shop for them here at RPP Kids today. RPP Kids has the absolute best selection when it comes to accommodating for your child's needs. When you need to properly care for your newborn, you can best believe that RPP Kids has the right items for you in regards to furniture, toys, and much more. For any inquiries, you may call us at 561-206-6173 or visit our contact page.