How to carry a child so that he. How to hold your baby during water procedures. The classic way of carrying in your arms facing you

Until the middle of the 20th century, people lived large traditional families. The older ones looked after the younger ones, the younger ones looked after the children the older ones had. There were no questions about how and what to do with the baby. Family members learned from each other. Today, receiving her long-awaited first child in the maternity hospital, a respectable thirty-year-old woman does not have the necessary skills to care for him. A barrage of “How?” hits her, while she is still trying to delve into the “Why?” One of these questions concerns the correct carrying of a child in your arms.

Why is it important to carry your baby correctly?

Like everything that was previously not given importance, but suddenly became important today, a fashionable name has appeared for the science of how to carry a baby: holding. There are no special courses yet, but there are already sections with this name in the training program for future parents. According to the holding’s guidelines, carrying a child in your arms correctly is important for both the baby and the mother.

For the baby

From a physical point of view: our children are not little horses; they do not stand on their feet an hour after birth. The infant's spine does not have the deflections of an adult, resembling the letter "C", which precludes sitting up to six months of age. In addition, proper carrying of a child in your arms prevents the development of congenital hip dislocation.

From a psychological point of view: the misconception that a baby does not need to be accustomed to being held ("screaming - it will get out of the habit") is detrimental to the formation of a normal psyche of a small person. The baby should often be in the arms of adults.

For Mom

From a physical point of view: The bones of a woman in labor after pregnancy and childbirth are softer than usual. Unusual intense load on the spine in postpartum period can result in acute back pain, headaches, and joint pain in the arms.

From a psychological point of view: To us, active mothers, it’s a shame to lose your life because of the birth of children. The correct habit of carrying a child makes coexistence convenient and comfortable for both. With a baby in your arms, it is possible and fashionable to go to the store, do the necessary housework, and play sports.

What determines the choice of wearing position?

The convenience and acceptability of the way you carry your baby depends on several factors:

Age of the child. It is recommended to wear the face from the mother only after 3 months. Until this time, the baby does not see well further than 30 cm, so everything around him floats frighteningly
Physical condition of the mother. Poses “on the side” and “on the hip” can be dangerous for mothers with diseases of the spine and kidneys
Physical condition of the baby. Some birth injuries or congenital defects (torticollis and a number of others) require special care when carried in the arms
Baby's preferences. Despite young age, kids often have their own opinion about the acceptability of the wearing position. The mother should pay attention to which positions the child does not like and analyze the reasons for the negativity. Positions with spread legs are often not liked for the following reason: small size jumpsuit or rompers. Whims in the “sideways” position, when they are present on one side of the body and absent on the other, may indicate pain in the baby when turning the head or neck. Such signals should serve as a reason to consult a doctor.

Wearing positions

Wearing it in various positions solves not only the issue of transporting your child in space: it is a kind of gymnastics for mother and baby. There are five main poses.

Pose No. 1: classic

On the arm from the elbow to the hand (forearm) face up. This is a classic cradle position, comfortable for carrying and feeding. For a baby from birth to 3 months, the main points of support are the head and back. You can't sit on your butt.

Important! In the first months of life, all actions with the child should be very smooth. A sharp pick-up from the crib, dad’s dashing “son, come here,” combined with tossing and somersaults will frighten the newborn and can lead to injuries.

Pose No. 2: airplane

On the forearm, face down, “airplane”: the child lies on the forearm, hands on the mother’s elbow and forearm, stomach on the other hand. The legs are free. The pose is very useful for training the baby’s back muscles, as well as normalizing digestion - a kind of tummy massage, similar in benefits to lying on the stomach. The pose is good from 3 months and older. The baby's head can be turned towards the elbow - this makes it easier to fall asleep, or towards the hand - it is more interesting to play and look at the world around.

Pose No. 3: on the chest

On your chest facing yourself. The mother hugs the baby, placing one hand under the butt through the waist, and the other holding the back and head. This position is calming and soothing.

A possible option is on the chest with a shift to the side, facing you. This is how the baby learns about the world by seeing his mother’s face. Since children study the dangers of the environment based on their mother’s reaction, it is very important for them to see her reaction to a situation or phenomenon.

On the chest facing away from you. Support with one hand across the chest, the other under the butt. Children prefer this position during periods of activity: it is convenient to study in it. the world. Carrying babies under 3 months like this is strictly prohibited. It is recommended to use the pose after 8 months. Until this age, the baby does not understand where his mother has gone and may get scared.

Position #4: front side wearing

Good for babies aged 3 to 6 months. The head is on mom’s shoulder, the neck muscles are being trained. Mom holds the baby's feet. The legs are bent and separated at the knees, which is natural at this age. It is necessary to change hands often - holding on one side for a long time tires mother and baby. The pose develops hip mobility in the hip joints. This position should not be used with heavy children: the mother will lean heavily to the side, causing harm to the spine.

Pose option: worn in front with support of one leg. The child's chest is on the forearm, with the other hand we bend and support the upper leg and tummy. Bottom hand baby lies on mother's elbow. One side of the baby’s body is fixed, the other is in a mobile state. Useful for babies from 7 months, develops leg muscles, stimulates crawling.

Pose No. 5: on the hip

Worn on the hip. Suitable for children who have learned to sit well, from about 9 months. The baby “sits” on his mother’s hip, wrapping his legs around her, supporting himself independently. The mother supports the baby with her hand, grabbing him under one leg, fixing the back.

To carry your baby at home or while walking or going to the store, use a traditional device for carrying children - a sling scarf. With its help, you can carry your baby in all of the listed positions. With certain skills and habits, a sling scarf is an indispensable assistant for a young mother, allowing her to more evenly distribute the load on the spine of both mother and baby.

Video lesson will help you better understand how to properly carry your baby in your arms

How not to wear

Until the newborn begins to confidently hold his head, he should not be allowed to throw it back
You cannot pull a newborn by the arms - the joints are still too weak
Do not carry your baby head down. The legs should not be higher than the head. This seems obvious. However, in the airplane position such an error is quite possible.
When lifting a newborn, do not pick up the head and body different hands due to the risk of spraining your neck
Wearing with legs together for a long time is harmful
If the mother leans back too much with the baby in her arms, she took him incorrectly
Safety. A person with a baby in his arms must see the road well, hold the baby securely, anticipating his unexpected movements
Ergonomics. The spine of the child and mother should be in the correct position, without distortion
Comfort for mother and baby. The absence of dissatisfied screams is the main indicator of the baby’s comfort

When you are accused of teaching your child to hold hands, remember that “carry” and “carry” are the same root words. The baby is accustomed to his mother’s movements and smell. It is natural for him to be in frequent contact with his mother. Carrying children in your arms is useful, it strengthens the bond between parents and child, develops the baby physically and mentally, and calms the baby.

In the first six months of life, the baby spends a lot of time in arms. This is not surprising: physical contact with mom is the most important need little man. To understand how to properly carry a baby, you need to take into account the most important factor– child’s age. But each baby is individual, some children are ahead of their peers in physical development, and this also needs to be kept in mind.

Before choosing a comfortable position for your baby in your arms, you should familiarize yourself with the universal recommendations:

Until approximately 3 months, the baby’s head is carefully supported;
a child of any age must be lifted with both hands, carefully and smoothly;
up to 2 months, the baby should not be held by the armpits;

until the child has learned to sit (up to about six months), it is advisable not to pick him up in a sitting position in order to avoid excessive stress on the spine;
when lifting the baby by the arms, they grab not only the hand, but also the wrist;
When planning to take a child out of the crib or put it in it, the adult leans forward with his whole body, since in this case the risk of falling or careless landing for the baby is minimal.

Why is it useful to carry a baby in your arms?

At the age of six months to a year, the child learns to move independently, begins to crawl, and then walk, but still happily climbs into his arms. There is even a special term - “handling”, the art of carrying a child in your arms. Why does a baby so want to be in the tender embrace of his parents for a long time?

Skin-to-skin contact strengthens the attachment between mother and baby. The child is calm in his mother's arms and feels safe.
“I sit high, I look far away.” For a child who begins to actively explore the world around him, the hands of an adult are a convenient observation point.

Correct position in the hands - the key to harmonious physical development baby, strengthening his muscles and spine.
Moving in space stimulates the proper functioning of the vestibular apparatus. This is why it is useful to hold the baby in different positions.

Does not exist general rules, which determine how long the baby should be held. First of all, it depends on the character and temperament of the little person. For some fidgets, it is enough just to be close to their mother or keep her in sight, while others begin to cry indignantly as soon as they find themselves not in their arms, but in a crib or on the floor for a few minutes.

Which position is preferable?

When the baby is in your arms, it should be comfortable for both him and the mother. Some children like the position, lying down, others prefer to look around curiously, sitting in a column. There are several positions that are approved by experts as correct and safe.

Classic "cradle". This position can be used from birth. It is equally suitable for feeding and soothing. The baby is positioned horizontally on its back or slightly turned with its stomach towards the mother. His head lies on the elbow of one of his mother’s hands, her other hand supports her butt. The open palm is on the child's lower back. You can pick up a baby in your arms in the cradle position to help him calm down or fall asleep. It is necessary to alternately hold the baby's head to the right and left to minimize the risk of spinal curvature. When babies are 3-4 months old, they usually don't like to stay in this position for long periods of time because it doesn't provide a good enough view.

Column position. Pediatricians advise carrying babies in a column after each feeding to help burp air. In the column position, the vertical load on the fragile spine is quite large, so you need to properly support the child’s back. The baby is facing the adult, pressed to the stomach and chest, the head lies on the shoulder. The open hand of an adult fixes the lower back, the hand of the other hand fixes the neck and back of the head. When the baby can confidently hold his head, the second hand can be moved from the back of the head to the shoulder blades. Grown-up children like the “facing the world” position, when the adult presses the baby to him not with his stomach, but with his back.
Lying on your stomach. The baby is in the adult’s arms horizontally, with his face facing down. One hand supports the chest and chin, the second is located between the legs, so that the child’s torso and legs rest on the forearm and palm. This position, just like the column position, can be used for colic.

Buddha pose. The child reclines, resting his back on the adult’s chest. The baby is hugged with one hand, supported under two arms. The forearm and palm of the other hand are placed under the hips and knees. In this case, the spine takes on a C-shape, natural for the baby: it was in this position that it was in the mother’s womb. The vertical load is minimized, so you can hold children who are not yet sitting on their own. A good alternative to the column position, providing good visibility.
From under the mouse. The baby lies on his back on the forearm and palm of one adult's hand, the thigh serves as a support for the butt. The elbow supports the child's pelvis, the legs are located behind the back of mom or dad. The head can be additionally fixed with the hand of the second hand. From this position, a fidget who wants to take a better look around can easily be moved to a column position.

Frog. Experts believe that holding a child in this position is useful as a prevention of dysplasia hip joints. The frog pose is used for children who are already 4 months old. The baby can be placed on his stomach, hip or back (after a year). The child is positioned facing the adult, pressing his tummy. The spread legs are bent at the knees. It is important that your knees are higher than your butt. Only if this condition is met will the landing be correct. With one hand the adult hugs the baby in the lumbar region, with the other (free) you can hold the child’s hand for safety. This position allows you to pick up a heavy toddler for a long time, since in this position the baby rests well on the adult’s torso, making it easier to hold him.
The listed positions are basic. How it is most convenient to carry a baby - sitting, lying down, in a column or a frog - each mother determines for herself, depending on the situation and preferences of the little person.

What should you do if it becomes difficult to hold your growing child? Slings and ergo-backpacks will come to the rescue. They replace mother's hands, helping to securely fix the child in the desired position. You can even go for a walk or do small household chores by placing a curious assistant in the sling.
Sometimes parents avoid taking the baby in their arms for fear of spoiling him. But the time when the baby so needs the care of his parents will fly by very quickly. It is important to hug the baby more often and carry him in your arms, giving him love and a feeling of peace and security.

In the first month you need hold the baby very carefully. At this age, the spine is formed.

The newborn's head must be held, since the neck muscles have not yet become stronger.

Holding a newborn correctly is not difficult: the child lies on your left hand, his head is supported by his elbow, and his right hand supports his legs.

The baby’s body should always have three points of support - on the back of the head, in the area of the shoulder blades, in the pelvis area.

Hold your baby like this so that your head doesn't fall back, and the legs and arms did not hang down. Carry your baby alternately on your left and right arms.

How to pick it up correctly?

Try not to scare your baby with unexpected sudden movements. Attract his attention with a gentle voice, and pick up the baby confidently, but slowly and smoothly.

If your baby is lying on his back, place one hand under the back of his head and the other under his bottom. Slowly and gently lift your baby. Its head should be slightly higher than the lower part of the body.

At the age of two weeks, the baby can be placed on his tummy for a short time before feeding. How to pick up a baby lying on his tummy? Place one palm under the baby's chest, with the thumb and index finger of this hand holding the baby's neck, and place the other palm under the tummy.

If you want to hold the baby face down, then make sure that his neck is located on the left elbow, the left hand goes under the baby’s arm and presses him to you, the right hand goes between the legs towards the chest, right palm supported the baby's tummy and chest.

How to put it correctly?

If you want to put your newborn in the crib, hold him close to you and lean with him towards the bed, closer to its surface. Carefully Place your baby in the crib and linger over the bed for a few moments. Once your baby gets used to the new position, slowly remove your hands and cover him with a blanket to keep him warm.

When does a newborn begin to hold his head?

Normally, a three-month-old baby holds his head confidently if he is held upright, and raises it for more than a minute if he is lying on his stomach.

Some babies can hold their head up as early as 2 months, but they still need support.

If month old baby holds his head, you should consult a doctor, because this may be due to increased intracranial pressure.

If the baby is already two or three weeks old, and umbilical wound completely healed, it needs to be placed on the tummy for a short time. An innate reflex is triggered and the child raises his head and places it on his side. As a result, the neck muscles are trained.

Place your baby on his tummy for a couple of minutes every day. Do this exercise before feeding, and your baby will be less tormented by gases. If the baby does not want to lie on his stomach, distract the baby. You can pat him on the back, talk to him affectionately, show him a bright toy.

From six weeks, the baby, lying down, begins to raise his head for a minute at an angle of 45 degrees. At the eighth week, the baby tries to hold his head upright.

IN three months old The baby begins to hold his head up when he lies on his stomach and is vertical in your arms. Not all three-month-old children can do this for a long time, so be prepared to back up your baby at any time.

At four months, the child holds his head confidently. If he lies on his stomach, he will be able to raise his shoulders and even his chest.

If a child is developmentally delayed, you need to show him to a pediatrician and neurologist.

How to hold it in a column?

Supporting the newborn vertical position, you give him a chance to burp air after feeding and take care to strengthen his back muscles.

Holding your baby upright is not difficult, the main thing is to be careful and accurate. Smoothly lift the baby facing you so that the body is upright and the head rests on your shoulder. With one hand, hold your baby's legs and butt close to you, and with the other hand support his head and neck. The load should be evenly distributed along the entire spine.

The column position reduces the baby's suffering during intestinal colic. When mother and baby press tummy to tummy, the baby feels warm from mother and painful sensations are decreasing.

How to hold a newborn when washing?

The baby can be washed with running water from the tap. Optimal temperature water - 37°C. Place the baby on your left forearm, tummy up. The child's head should lie on the bend of the elbow, the thigh should be supported with the palm of the hand. Right hand you need to wash the baby.

It is convenient to wash a slightly older child by placing him face down. In this case, you need to put the child on left hand. His head should be located in the crook of his left elbow.

The water from the tap should flow onto your hand first, so you can feel the change in water temperature in time. The perineum of both girls and boys must be washed from front to back. After washing, pat the skin dry with a clean diaper.

What about when swimming?

Fill the bath with some water. Add a little to the water baby shampoo. Slowly lower the baby, wrapped in a diaper, into the water. Try not to be nervous, tell him something in a gentle voice, then the child will not be afraid. If you are right-handed, the back of your baby's head should rest over your left wrist while bathing. The left hand should hold the child by the shoulder that is further away from you. Using your right hand, gently pour water over your baby.

Lather the baby. You need to wash your baby in a certain sequence. First they wash the neck, then the chest and stomach, then the arms and legs, and then the back. The hair is washed at the very end of bathing.

Tilt your baby's head back a little. Hold it with your palm. Pour some water over your hair, allowing the water to flow from your face to the back of your head. Lather your hair with massage movements and carefully rinse off the foam, pouring water from your face to the back of your head.

Now rinse the baby with water from a jug, place him on a heated towel, cover him free edge and get wet. Dry your head first, then your whole body. Put on a hat and undershirts, then swaddle your baby.

When feeding

After birth, it is convenient to feed the baby in a lying position. You need to lie on your side and bring your baby closer to your chest. His head and torso should form an imaginary straight line parallel to your body. Let the baby's face be turned towards the breast, and let his nose be opposite the nipple.

Touch your breast to the baby's cheek, he will reflexively open his mouth. If you do everything correctly, then while sucking milk the newborn’s mouth will be wide open, underlip will be slightly turned outward, and the chin will touch the chest. Hold your breast so that it does not interfere with your baby's breathing.

If you want to feed your baby while sitting, sit comfortably so that your back and the arm on which the baby is lying have comfortable support. Place the baby on your lap. Place the head on the bend of the elbow, support the baby's shoulders, back and buttocks.

The child should be slightly inclined. Just lift the head higher and make sure it is in line with his body.

You can place a pillow under your elbow to prevent your arm from getting tired. Place a low stool under your feet so that the child is at chest level. This way you won't have to bend over.

How can you not hold a newborn?

Do not lift a baby by the arms, otherwise you may dislocate your shoulder or elbow. Do not allow the head to be thrown back, as this may cause injury to the child.

At first, you shouldn’t often hold your baby upright. If this is necessary, do not put too much pressure on the chest, and in no case turn it sideways. Do not sit your baby on your forearm with his body turned to the side. Remember that a newborn's bones are very soft; if they are constantly in the wrong position, they can become bent.

Do not pick up the child abruptly and unexpectedly, as this may frighten him. Do not hold a newborn baby with one hand, it is not safe.

Be careful and careful, and you will quickly get used to holding your baby correctly. And despite all the advice, don’t be afraid to hold your baby often. He needs your affection and care!

How to properly pick up and hold a baby: video

In this video you can clearly see the tips discussed in this article:

A newborn is a very tiny and fragile creature. But in fact, this does not mean that touching a child can break it. Many dads don't pick up their children just because they're afraid of hurting them. It is believed that mothers have it in their blood, and as soon as they see their baby, they will immediately understand it. Alas, this does not always work out. Some women also fall into a stupor when they first have to lift their baby in their arms, and without outside help. Therefore, knowing how to properly hold a newborn in your arms will be interesting not only for dads, but also for their young, impressionable mothers. This will help get rid of unnecessary clumsiness.

How to lift a baby from a lying position?

And now the child lies in the crib, and many parents try this way and that to take the baby in their arms. There are two approaches, depending on how the baby lies:

Lying on your back. In this case, you need to place one palm under his head and the other under his butt. For the first time, you should choose a very slow pace of ascent, this will allow you to feel the child’s body. It is important to ensure that the head is higher than the legs. From this position it is quite comfortable to press the baby to your chest, because it is unlikely that the first time you will be able to transfer him to your arms folded in a basket.
Lying on your stomach. In this position, the infant is taken with one hand under the chest, passing it between the legs. At the same time large and index finger The baby's neck must be secured. With the other hand they hold the stomach from below.

In both the first and second cases, all movements are performed smoothly. Firstly, mom (or dad) will be able to feel not only the lifting technique, but also the child himself, realizing that he is not so fragile. Secondly, such actions will not scare the baby.

Now it’s worth understanding how to put the baby back, for example, after feeding. Here you need to act as follows. The baby is pressed tightly, but not too strongly, and gradually, at the same time, they lower themselves to the crib, bending their back at the lower back. After the body and head are laid on hard surface, hands are not removed immediately. The baby needs to get used to the new position a little. Hands are removed slowly, and most importantly, do not forget to cover the child with a blanket so that the warmth does not evaporate.

Learning to hold a baby

A baby is called a newborn for the first 28 days after it is born. After the technology of raising a child has been mastered, it is worth understanding exactly how to properly hold a newborn in your arms. In the first month, parents' hugs should be very careful and careful. In fact, this point is important, since correct holding of a newborn determines the correct formation of the spinal column and hip joints.

When we hold the baby in a column, we be sure to hold him by the back along the spine and fix the baby’s head with his hand

There are several rules that you need to learn to follow in order to hold newborns correctly:

the baby’s neck must be constantly supported, since up to 3-4 months the neck muscles are still too weak to independently withstand the load of the entire mass of the head;
it is necessary to control that the upper and lower limbs do not hang down, so that the baby lies curled up in his arms;
if the child is held vertically, then with your free hand they hold him behind his back along the spine;
In no case should a baby under 3 months be held by the hands, as there is a risk of dislocation and damage to the joints;
If the baby is placed on the shoulder or arm, then it is necessary to change sides each time, otherwise there is a risk of developing torticollis.

It is very important to create psychological comfort for the baby. How can you create it without your mother’s smile? Therefore, when holding a newborn baby in your arms, he needs to smile, sing and constantly talk to him. This will make it much easier for both mom and Manyuna to find a “common language.”

Baby wearing methods

So, we’ve sorted out the basics, now you can learn the ways that help you carry a baby in your arms. There are several of them.

Column

This is the first pose that mom and dad should learn. The fact is that newborns, up to 3–4 months, are developing digestive system, which is why many mothers go through such a nightmare as colic. They are fought with teas and medications. But one of the most effective ways- holding in a column. In this case, the baby is placed in a vertical position and pressed to the chest, while keeping the head on your shoulder. One hand is under the butt, and the second is on the neck. Thumb hold your head. This position should be repeated every time after feeding, unless the baby, of course, falls asleep. Usually it takes 3-5 minutes for the baby to burp. Having gotten rid of excess air, the baby becomes calmer. If the baby is capricious a lot, then you should try to pick him up in your arms in this way.

Face down

The child is placed with his stomach in his arms so that his neck is at the level of the elbow. The same hand should be held under the child's arm and pressed against your body. The second hand helps to fix the body between the legs, resting on its chest and stomach.

Forward facing

This pose is similar to the column, the only difference is facing away from you. With one hand, there is a transverse fixation on the chest, placing the palm under the armpit, while thumb let it lie on your shoulder. This position is very comfortable when bathing; you can freely put the baby in the bath or even take a shower with him. But here you have to be very careful so that the soapy child does not slip out of your hands. By the way, holding the baby across the chest and securing it with the armpits, it is convenient to bathe the baby even when washing.

There are several positions on how to hold a baby comfortably for both the baby and the parents.

Buddha

Here the beginning will be similar to the previous method, only with a free hand, the child’s legs are tucked towards the tummy or chest. By the way, it will be useful for young parents to know that this pose is a relaxing exercise for the legs and helps the hip joints develop. Among other things, in this way you can help your baby get rid of colic, because by gently pressing the piles to the tummy, they knead it.

All four of these positions help a newborn feel comfortable in his parents' arms.

How to help a child learn to hold his head up?

In fact, if you hold your baby correctly in special positions, this will help him quickly learn to hold his head.

To help your baby learn to hold his head, place him on his tummy. Start with two minutes. Then the time is increased. Focus on the child’s behavior: when he is capricious and “pecks” his nose all the time, be sure to turn him over onto his back

For this, the baby should be carried vertically in your arms, but not longer than 2-3 minutes, as this can put a serious load on the spine. It is also recommended to place the child on his tummy so that he reflexively tries to raise his head. This must be done daily, literally for 2 minutes. But such an exercise is carried out only after the umbilical wound has completely healed.

Typically, independent head holding occurs by three months. But this does not mean that the child does not need safety net. The baby may jerk his body sharply, which can cause a neck dislocation. In case of any alarming moments, for example, the baby began to hold his head up too early or is still unable to master this skill before 4 months, the baby should be shown to a pediatrician and orthopedist in order to react to the problem in a timely manner.

If you treat your newborn carefully and remember all the sensitive points, then no problems will arise. And the child will grow up healthy and happy, which will only please his parents.

Skin-to-skin contact with mother - the best remedy For harmonious development newborn baby. Taking the baby in her arms, the mother gives him confidence and calm, which is why almost all children quickly calm down when in close proximity to the closest person.

Many mothers, especially when it comes to their first child, experience great fear, afraid of accidentally harming him. Separately on this list is the fear of dropping the child or harming him or her.

This is not as easy to do as it seems at first glance. Despite the fact that in the maternity hospital the nurse provides instructions on how to handle a newborn, the woman still has to find most of the basic information on care on her own.

To be absolutely confident in your abilities, you should familiarize yourself with various techniques carrying a child. In the future, this will be useful for a comfortable stay with the baby during waking hours, as well as for establishing feeding processes.

IN Lately There is a tendency among young parents to wean their children off their hands. This is due to prejudices from the past, because from all sides the young mother receives advice that she should not often take her child in her arms, as you can spoil him, and “he won’t get off your hands later.”

In fact, this is completely wrong. In infancy, the baby urgently needs constant contact with his mother. This is also associated with the period intrauterine development when the baby heard his mother’s heartbeat 24 hours a day. This sound is familiar to him, and the child perceives it as part of his familiar environment.

If the baby is frightened by something or cannot calm down for a long time, it is enough to take him in your arms and apply it to the chest area so that he feels protected.

There are many more reasons why you should hold your baby as often as possible, for example:

constant contact between the baby and the mother strengthens the relationship between them, which in the future will have a positive impact on the child’s development of trust in his own parents;
certain poses contribute to the physical formation of the baby, since they involve various groups muscles;
The child’s horizons expand, as he can study new objects and people from different angles, and not just from the crib or playpen.

Important! Up to a year, the child needs constant physical contact with his mother. Time will pass, the baby will become independent, and the mother will sadly remember the time when she could calmly sit him on her lap or take him in her arms.

How to pick up a baby?

Not every mother succeeds in holding a newborn correctly the first time. It is important to carry out all movements calmly, especially if the baby is sleeping, since awkward or sudden actions can greatly frighten him.

After several workouts, the mother will feel much more confident, which will have a positive effect on the baby’s calmness.

You need to take a lying baby with both hands at the same time, holding the head with one hand (a newborn baby throws his head back, since his neck muscles are not developed enough and cannot hold his head in an upright position), and with the other, lifting his butt.

How to put the baby down?

To return the newborn to the crib, you need to do the same steps. However, there are some nuances here too.

If the surface is below the woman's waist, you should bend down completely, using the entire body, and not just stretch your arms forward. This is necessary in order not to drop the child or make sudden movements.
After the child is placed in a crib or playpen, you must wait 5-7 seconds and only then release your hands. The baby needs time to get used to the new position and surface, so it is important to observe the specified time interval. Otherwise, you can scare the newborn or wake him up if the baby was sleeping before).

How to hold a baby in your arms?

It is enough for a young mother to practice a little to learn how to hold the baby in her arms correctly, without fear. But to avoid unpleasant situations (for example, falls, etc.), you should know the basic rules. This will help inexperienced parents feel more confident.

What does mom need to know?

Before you pick up your baby, you should talk to him. This is important for emotional state crumbs, because if you do it abruptly, you can scare the child.
If the child is held in your arms for more than 5-10 minutes, it is important to periodically shift him. This is necessary for correct formation spinal column and prevention of torticollis (a condition in which the baby turns his head predominantly in one direction).
A baby with neurological problems or a hand-up reflex should be swaddled before being picked up. This way he will feel calmer.
If the baby falls asleep while being held, it is better to put him in the crib.
It is better not to disturb a sleeping child without reason, as this interferes with his harmonious development.

In what positions can you hold a baby in your arms?

Buddha pose.

Technically, this position does not present any difficulty for parents, since holding the baby in this position is quite simple. Buddha pose is suitable for children who can hold their head up confidently for several minutes. As a rule, these are babies older than 2.5-3 months.

The baby should also like this position, because a completely new world opens up for him, which can be viewed from any angle while in his mother’s arms.

The baby's back and head should be pressed against chest mother, and the feet are brought together (the legs must be supported with the second hand). Buddha pose is an excellent means of preventing pathologies of the hip joints (for example, dysplasia).

Cradle is a classic pose.

One of classic options carrying a newborn in your arms. The position is very convenient for feeding or rocking, so most mothers choose it. It is suitable for children from birth, since with this method of support the newborn’s head is located in the elbow area. With the other hand, the parent supports the baby's butt and back.

In this position, the child feels as calm and comfortable as possible, as he hears the beating of his mother’s heart. And “belly to stomach” contact helps to relax the abdominal muscles and partially avoid tummy problems.

If this method is a priority (for example, used for feeding a baby), it is important to monitor the alternation of hands. Otherwise, torticollis may develop.

The pose is great for children starting at two weeks of age. As a rule, it is during this period that babies begin to suffer from colic and increased gas formation, and the position on the tummy helps reduce pain and promotes the release of gases. In addition, this is an excellent workout for the muscles of the neck and back. It has been proven that babies who are often carried on their tummy begin to hold their head up and roll over earlier.

In order to position the child correctly, you should place him on one arm so that the chin is on the elbow, and support the tummy with the other hand.

Column.

This position has been known to most women since the maternity hospital. It is customary to hold a newborn (and older babies) in a column after each feeding so that he can burp the excess air that accumulates in the stomach. This is especially true for babies who do not grasp the nipple correctly, resulting in a large number of air.

In the column position, the child's chin rests on the shoulder, while the entire spine area is supported by the hands (this is important, since the spinal column continues to grow, and it is necessary to provide it full support). If the mother holds the baby facing away from her, the head should be placed on the shoulder and the chest and tummy should be supported with the hands.

This position is only suitable for children who can sit without support (6-7 months). It is very convenient for both: the mother can partially go about her business, as she has the opportunity to free at least one hand, and the baby will certainly enjoy exploring the surrounding objects.

To place your baby on your hip, you need to spread his legs wide. You should support his back with one hand so that the baby does not suddenly lean back.

Younger children can be worn in a similar way. The technology will be the same, but instead of the hip, the child is seated on his stomach.

Learning how to hold your baby correctly in everyday situations

During feeding

We feed while sitting. To feed the baby, you need to pick him up and gently place him on your knees, while the baby's head should lie on the mother's hand near the elbow. You can use your other hand to stroke your baby or provide additional support by holding your baby to the side.

Advice! For women with small breasts, you can place a pillow on your lap - this will make it easier for the baby to reach the nipple and grasp it correctly.

We feed while lying down. The baby must be placed on one arm, turning his tummy towards you. You can support your back with your other hand or simply stroke your baby to make him feel calmer.
We feed while standing. Some women find it more convenient to feed their baby while standing (for example, when suturing the perineum). The Cradle position is ideal for this, as it makes it easy to give the baby the breast, as well as talk to him and sing songs, which is especially important if the baby needs to be put to sleep.

After the baby has eaten

After each feeding, the baby must be held in a column. This is especially true for children who often spit up or have other digestive problems.

Air that enters the stomach during feeding can cause colic and flatulence. To avoid this, you need to hold the baby upright for 5-10 minutes after each feeding (you need to wait until the baby burps excess air).

While washing under the tap

Newborns.

Until the baby can hold his head up, you should wash him while holding him face up. The head must be placed on the elbow area, while the body must be completely in the forearm area.

With one hand, the mother needs to hold the baby’s thigh on the side on which the elbow supporting the head is located. The second leg will dangle freely, making it possible to carry out hygiene measures with the genitals.

Children over 2 months.

When the baby can hold his head for at least 20 seconds, you can wash him, holding him face down. The rest of the steps will be the same as for newborns.

Children over 6 months.

Some parents find it convenient to wash their older children in a knee-elbow position (the “potty” position). If the child weighs little and the mother is able to hold him, then using this option is completely acceptable.

Bathing

It is necessary to hold the baby by the head and butt during bathing procedures. It is important to ensure that your head (chin) is always above the water. At first, it will be difficult for mom to cope with such an important task as bathing alone. Therefore, water procedures should be carried out with someone close to you, but this should be a person whom the baby knows well.

You can clearly see how to hold a newborn by watching the video.

What should you avoid when carrying a newborn?

Despite its apparent simplicity, carrying a newborn in your arms is not such an easy task, so it is important to know and master not only the technique, but also the safety rules when handling small children.

While the child is small, he needs to be constantly supported. It is important to ensure that your arms, legs and head do not dangle or hang down.
Do not pull the child by the arms or forearms. Such actions can cause dislocation of the elbow joints, since the bone and joint tissue of a newborn child still continues to “strengthen” and develop.
You should not hold your baby close to you, especially when it comes to newborns.
Up to 3 months, it is necessary to always support the back and head, as these are the most vulnerable parts of the body of a newborn baby.

Just a few decades ago, the only option that our mothers and grandmothers used to carry a child was the classic cradle position.

Times are changing, and it has long been proven that various poses help not only to find the most comfortable option, but also have a positive effect on physical and intellectual development baby, allowing you to develop your horizons and train certain muscle groups. Therefore, you should not be afraid of new positions - among the huge number it is very easy to find one that suits mother and baby.