Holding and handling baby

In the first few weeks of life your baby will seem very vulnerable, and many parents are rather nervous of picking up their newborns, fearful that they may somehow accidentally damage their child. It's important to get used to holding your baby properly, not just for your baby's comfort but for your own sake; you'll never manage to feed or bath her successfully if you are unsure about how to hold her.

Handling and holding your newborn baby

Most babies like to be handled in a firm way, especially in the early weeks when the sensation of being tightly enclosed (whether by your arms, by clothing or by a swaddling shawl), gives a great sense of security. When it comes to actually moving your baby, do it as slowly, as gently and as...
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Handling and holding your older baby

Once your baby has control of her head there is no need to take the kind of care you did when she was newborn because the head and body will now stay aligned when she's picked up. When she reaches this stage the best way to pick up your baby is to put your hands under her...
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Handling and holding your toddler

A toddler needs much less holding and carrying than a young baby but there will still be times when she'll signal that she wants to be carried, just like she used to be. If you ignore these signals she'll probably cry.
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Holding and handling your child

As children get older they become more independent and we may think of them as needing less touching, stroking, holding and cuddling. This is true, up to a point, but don't make the mistake of thinking that they don't need physical affection at all - especially boys, who may be expected to keep a...
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