Video:How to Hold a Baby Safely
with Ben KurtzmanNewborn babies may seem delicate, but you shouldn't be afraid to hold them. Learn how to safely and comfortably hold your infant several different ways, from the cradle hold to the football hold.See Transcript
Transcript:How to Hold a Baby Safely
Hi! I'm Ben Kurtzman for About.com. Today I'm going to show you how to hold a baby. Newborns seem delicate, but you do not have to be afraid of holding them.Head Support When Holding Babies
The one thing that you need to remember is to support an infants head. The head is heavy, and the baby's neck muscles aren't strong enough to support it.Once you have the head supported, you can hold an infant pretty much any way that is comfortable to you.
Infant Cradle and Cross-Cradle Hold
The classic holds are cradle, in which you cradle the baby's head in the crook of your arm, and cross-cradle, in which you bring your arm across your body and hold the baby's head in your hand.Baby Football Hold
You can also use the football hold, tucking the baby under our arm and supporting her head in your hand.Many infants also like to be held tightly to your chest. Just wrap an arm around her and hang on.
Holding Swaddled Babies
If you're still uncomfortable holding the baby, try it again when she's swaddled. Having the baby wrapped will make it easier because she will be a compact package, instead of flailing arms and legs.Seated Holding Positions
When you're sitting down, it's easiest to hold the baby right in your lap, or on a supporting pillow. This way, you'll be able to hold the infant for hours without your arms getting tired.Thanks for watching. To learn more, visit us online at About.com.
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