Safe newborn handling and holding tips
1. Hold the baby like a football
While it might sound silly at first, you’ll find that holding your baby like a football – with their back on your forearms and their head nestled in the crook of one of your arms – is among the safest and most sustainable ways to hold a newborn. Angle the baby so their stomach is turned toward yours. This position is comfortable for the baby and gives you a more secure hold of your newborn, especially while sitting down.
2. Mind the baby’s soft spots
Newborns have two soft spots on their heads: the posterior fontanel in the back and the anterior fontanel on top. The bones in these areas of the skull have not completely fused together, which make it possible for the baby’s head to squeeze through the birth canal. It also leaves room for the brain to grow.
The soft spot in the back will close within a couple months; the spot on top can take two years to fully close. Touching these soft spots is fine, just don’t press down or let anything hit or fall on your baby’s head, as no bones are fully protecting the brain early in life.
3. Keep your baby upright after feeding
Upright positioning is necessary for burping your baby after eating, and sometimes they like sleeping upright against your chest while you stand or sit.
Instead of laying your baby down flat after feeding, keep them upright for about 30 minutes so gravity can help them digest their food. Otherwise, they’re more likely to spit up. With their stomach facing your chest, place their head near your shoulder with one arm supporting their bottom and the other hand supporting the back of their head and neck.
4. Wash your hands before touching a baby
Hand hygiene is very important when handling your baby, especially during the first two months. During this time, your baby hasn’t been vaccinated against diseases that can be spread through germs on unwashed hands.
Newborns have weak immune systems; it takes time for them to build strength against germs that likely would have no effect on you or your loved ones. So, be extra diligent about keeping your hands clean, and don’t feel bad asking visitors to do the same.
5. Keep the umbilical stump clean and dry
A little clump of tissue will stay attached to your baby’s belly button after we cut the umbilical cord during delivery. We’ll put a small clamp on it to keep it dry until you leave the hospital. It looks a little odd, but it will come off in its own time – usually within two to three weeks.
The best thing to do with the umbilical stump is to leave it alone. It can become infected if it gets dirty, so keep it clean and dry. Only clothes should cover it; don’t cover it with a bandage or the baby’s diaper. If it gets soiled, wipe it with water and soap that’s free of fragrances and dyes. If you see redness or discharge around the stump, it could be infected and require treatment right away.
Related reading: Should I have visitors in the hospital while my baby is being born?
FAQs
Let them lean back slightly against your chest for head and neck support, facing away from you. Put the hand that isn't underneath them across their chest to prevent them from slumping to either side. From this position, your baby can get a good view of the environment around them.
How to handle a newborn baby? ›
Begin bonding by cradling and gently stroking your baby in different patterns. Another good technique is skin-to-skin contact (also called kangaroo care), where you hold your newborn against your own chest. This helps calm and soothe babies and regulate their heartbeat. It's a good practice for moms or dads to do.
How do you safely carry a newborn? ›
While it might sound silly at first, you'll find that holding your baby like a football – with their back on your forearms and their head nestled in the crook of one of your arms – is among the safest and most sustainable ways to hold a newborn. Angle the baby so their stomach is turned toward yours.
How would you safely pick up and hold a baby? ›
Always support your baby's head and neck. To pick up your baby, slide one hand under their head and neck and the other hand under their bottom. Bend your knees to protect your back. Once you've got a good hold, scoop up your baby and bring them close to your chest as you straighten your legs again.
What is the most important rule when holding a baby? ›
To hold your baby in an upright position, support her head and neck with one hand while resting her on your chest and shoulder. Support your baby's bottom with your other hand. Whether your pick up, carry, or hold your baby, the most important thing is to support his head and neck.
What are the rules for carry on for infants? ›
Place all carry-on baggage such as children's toys, bags and blankets on the X-ray belt for screening. Strollers, umbrella-strollers, baby carriers, car and booster seats and backpacks must be screened by X-ray. Place items in the stroller pockets or baskets, in a carry-on bag or on the X-ray belt for screening.
How do you position a newborn to carry? ›
Since their neck muscles are still developing, it's difficult for your baby to hold their head upright for any length of time. That's why your baby should be carried in the facing-in position for the first five months. After the age of five months, most babies will be ready to be carried facing out.
How do you carry a newborn with one hand? ›
Using Just Your Strong Arm (Baby Facing Away From You): With your baby on the floor or in their crib, roll them onto their side (rolling them toward your side of your strong arm, baby facing away from you), then put your arm between their legs, across their belly and up their front, cupping their chin with your hand so ...
How to hold a newborn's neck? ›
After picking your baby up, make sure your baby's head is resting on your chest. Slide the hand from baby's bottom up to support his neck. Gently move your baby's head to the crook of your arm, still supporting his neck.
What are the three types of hold that can be used when holding a baby? ›
There are various holding positions, including shoulder, cradle, belly, hip, face-to-face, and the chair hold.
You can't spoil a baby. Contrary to popular myth, it's impossible for parents to hold or respond to a baby too much, child development experts say. Infants need constant attention to give them the foundation to grow emotionally, physically and intellectually.
What to do when your newborn wants to be held all the time? ›
Try a sling, baby carrier, wrap – anything that will keep the baby close to you but leave your hands free to do other things. If your baby seems unhappy in the baby carrier, try moving. Walk with big steps, dance a little, go outside if the weather is good. You may also be able to nurse the baby in the carrier.
What happens if you don't support a baby's neck? ›
Babies have weak neck muscles and can't support the weight of their heads. If a baby is forcefully shaken, their fragile brain moves back and forth inside the skull. This causes bruising, swelling and bleeding.
When should dad hold newborn? ›
Flynn says, as Mum has carried the baby for nearly 10 months, bonding has already started. For Dad, holding his new-born is the start of that magic process. Research has shown that men who hold their baby close in the first 24 hours after their baby is born, report better bonding with their new-born.
