How to Hold a Baby

Being a first time parent was a whole lot of experience for me, especially the first time I held my baby girl. I just don't know how to hold her hehehehe, although after a few days i got the hold of it. So for those first time parents, I found an article that might help you, in how to hold your baby.

MAKE HOLDING EASIER

Get a sling-type carrier and wear your baby several hours a day( oh i have one like this, I bought it when she was about4 months I think? my baby loves it.) Wear him/her while you work or shop, or take a walk for two. Because "sling babies" are intimately involved in the world of the wearer, they see what you see, hear what you say, and go where you go. Babies learn a lot in the arms of a busy caregiver.

MAKE HOLDING FUN

Carried babies are more content and cry less. Infants and parents direct the energy they would have wasted on managing fussing into growing and interacting. Dance with your baby while holding your baby and swaying back and forth( Doing this with my baby girl result in a rewarding toothless smile from her and a little giggle). Some babies associate motion and holding with sucking, so they like to feed while on the move.

MAKE HOLDING COMFORTING

Carrying calms colicky babies. Here are some time tested carries.

• The colic curl: Slide baby's back down you chest and encircle your arms under her bottom. Curl baby facing forward with her head and back resting against your chest.

• The magic mirror: Hold your baby in the curl position in front of a mirror and let her witness her own drama. Place her hand or bare foot against the image on the mirror surface and watch the intrigued baby grow silent.
  

• The arm drape( call it the "football hold" ) Rest baby's head in the crook of your elbow. Drape baby's stomach along your forearm and grasp the diaper area firmly with your hand. Press your wrist against baby's tense tummy.

• The neck nestle: While walking , dancing, or lying with your baby on your chest, snuggle her head against the front of your neck and drape your chin over baby's head. Then hum or sing a low pitched melody, while swaying from side to side. Since babies hear with the vibration of their skull bones in addition to their eardrums, the vibration of the deeper male voice box and jaw against baby's sensitive skull can often lull the tense baby right to sleep.
  

• The warm fuzzy: Dads, lie down and drape baby skin-to-skin over your chest, placing baby's ear over your heart. As baby senses the rhythm of your heartbeat plus the up-and-down motion of your breathing, you'll feel the tense baby relax.

Besides being calming infants, frequent holding helps parents get bonded to their baby. holding your baby close to your heart helps your heart get close to your baby.