Raising newborns and babies
How to pick up a newborn baby from a crib or a stroller? Why correct lifting of the baby and keeping it in the right position is so important? What to pay special attention to when lifting a newborn baby and carrying a toddler in your arms? Whether lifting the baby under the armpits or feet up is a good idea? Since when can a child be kept upright? Read our guide and make sure you know how to lift and carry newborn or a baby.
Childbirth is a beautiful, but also extremely stressful moment for both parents and the baby. This is a huge change in the life of the whole family, which can surprise us - no matter how carefully we prepare for it, both from the theoretical (appropriate reading) and practical (birthing school) aspects.
With the first child, the clash of expectations and ideas with reality is often a real shock, but even when another child is born, parents often face completely new challenges, to which the experience gained with the previous child or children does not fit in any way. Sometimes it may turn out that you need to verify your approach, taking into account current recommendations and medical knowledge. Let's see what it is like with the important ability to lift, hold and carry the youngest toddlers, not only on your hands.
Newborn care: no lifting without lifting
The first months together are a time of especially careful care for the baby:
- feeding;
- scrolling;
- washing;
- dressing;
- undressing.
All these treatments require turning, lifting eg. from the crib, holding and carrying your toddler. By performing them in a skillful way, we teach the child the correct movement patterns, important for his development. With all care activities, the age and abilities of the toddler must be taken into account - it makes it easier for them to learn new skills and helps them adapt to life in changing conditions.
Correct lifting of a baby: why is it important?
It is worth realizing first that the structure and proportions of a newborn or younger infant are different than that of an adult. It is primarily about a head that is very large and heavy in relation to the rest of the bodya. The spine of a newborn baby is C-shaped, that is why the embryonic position is the most natural for him - this is where he has most often lived as a fetus in the mother's womb.
Unlike an adult, it also breaks down newborn's muscle tone - initially, the toddler has a weak torso and tense legs and hands (he clenches his fists). This changes over time, because around 3-4 months of age, the torso is usually more stable and the limbs are relaxed, making movements less chaotic.
Raising a newborn baby: what not to do?
The physiological rounding of the spine in a newborn, resulting from the earlier fetal positioning, means that it should not be kept in an upright position at such an early stage of development. When lifting and carrying a toddler in a vertical position, his spine flexes unnaturallywhich is not healthy for him.
Lifting a newborn baby out of the cribthat is, from a lying position, we never pull him by the handles or grasp him tightly under the armpits. Lifting a baby under your armpits can damage the brachial plexus, i.e. the nerves and blood vessels around the armpit and shoulder.
Expert advises
Lifting a newborn and a baby, often and somewhat reflexively, is done by grabbing it under the head and bottom. Unfortunately, such a method of lifting is not good for the child, who suddenly becomes deprived of the support plane, and for the parent (load on the lumbar spine). With such a change of position, the toddler's frequent reaction is the Moro reflex. The lack of coordination of movements in an infant makes it necessary to be prepared, for example, for a sudden throw of the head back or sideways.
It is also a mistake to lift the newborn by the legs up when changing the diaper. Grasping the legs, we pull the hips still not fully developed, which may adversely affect their further proper development.
How to raise a newborn baby and baby?
Correct lifting of a newborn and younger infant requires following some important rules:
- We change the position of the child in such a way that it knows what is going on - it should observe the changing environment, see faces and objects moving away or closer.
- It is not advisable to lift a toddler too quickly - a sudden change of position causes a lot of stress and may disrupt the functioning of the labyrinth.
- Raise the child and lower it sideways to the ground.
- In every position and activity, the head is the highest point of the baby's body. When lifting a toddler, raise the head first, and when placing the baby - lower it at the end.
- When turning the child, remember to do it once through the right and then through the left side, similarly with carrying the right hand and the left hand, or putting it on one side or the other.
- In every position in which we put the toddler, both hands should be in the front, in front of the face, free, and at least one leg should be bent at the hip and knee.
When the baby does not hold the head steadily yetto raise it up, put your hand between its legs, under the back and move it further, under the head. Then we turn the baby to the side, "wrapping" him around his hand. When lifting it up, we support its body with the other hand, supporting its back. Now we can arrange the newborn horizontally, in the so-called position. "Beans", with the head in the cavity of the elbow.
How to raise a newborn baby step by step?
Expert advises
You can do this by grabbing your baby with both hands below the armpits - then place the thumbs in front of the chest, and the tips of the other fingers can secure the head on the back of the head - not on the nape! Holding the baby in this way, first turn it to the side, and then - sideways - raise it up and hug it to our torso. Then we put the child into a comfortable position, for example, "beans", or immediately on the shoulder.
Vertical carrying your baby: the later the better
Toddlers that they do not hold the head steadily (i.e. up to 3-4 months of age), should not be kept in an upright position. Later in life, it is also better to exercise caution as it becomes more difficult for your child to stay upright, and frequent tilting stresses the muscles in the back and neck.
Remember that as long as the baby cannot hold the head on his own, you need to pick it up very carefully and carefully. Do not hold the newborn by the back of the head, pressing it against you, as this stimulates the baby into the flexion position. The same toddler reacts when we touch and stroke his neck.
Postural defects or increased muscle tension are just some of the effects of carrying a child vertically - not only a toddler in the newborn period, but also an older infant.
How to properly carry a baby?
Correctly lifting and holding a newborn baby requires focus, delicacy and tender touch. The child and parent must be comfortable and at the same time feel at ease. Due to the disproportionately heavy head and the unstable body, it is very important that:
- provide the child with adequate support;
- constantly control its position - making sure that the handles and feet do not hang limp;
- check that the torso and head are aligned along one axis.
Carrying a Newborn Baby in the Bean Position
The best known and most common way of carrying a newborn baby is the so-called "bean". In that position, the toddler's body is arranged horizontally, and the head rests in the hollow of our elbow. Of course, some modifications are possible, e.g. arranging the baby diagonally or with the back adjacent to our elbow. When the child grows up a little, we can lean his head a little higher, on our shoulder. This position makes it easier for them to observe their surroundings, which makes them less bored and easier to calm them down. When carrying your baby sideways, you can bring its head closer to your temple to protect it better.
How to wear a newborn on the shoulder?
We put the child in the "shoulder to shoulder" position, and put his hands on our back. We support the bottom on our chest. There is no need to hold the toddler's head, and especially - watch out - to touch his neck. We can, however, put our thumb under the child's armpit to secure the position of the child's torso. The baby's head movements in this position may seem violent and dangerous, but are not dangerous.
How to keep a newborn baby on your lap?
We can also arrange the toddler on our lap in various ways: on the tummy across the legs, on the back or on the side, between the parent's thighs. The so-called cradle: you need to sit down comfortably and put the baby on your thighs, with its head resting on your lap - so that it looks in our direction.
A parent's knees can also be helpful if we want the baby to "bounce". Instead of on the shoulder, we place the child crosswise on our knees, so that the buttocks "sit" on one of our thighs, and the chest rests against the other, with the arms placed forward. We can manipulate the position of our legs - so that the child is more vertical. In this position, we can position the baby to bounce after feeding, because we do not put pressure on the tummy.
What may worry us?
When picking up or laying down the baby in various ways, carefully observe how it moves and behaves. We should pay particular attention to:
- lack of symmetry when the child is lying on his back, e.g. placing the head on one side only;
- tilting the baby's head back (this can be seen especially when lying on its side);
- strong clenching of fists;
- not trying to raise the feet up;
- abnormal creeping, e.g. one limb pushing off.
When we notice any of the symptoms listed, we should consult our family doctor as soon as possible.
The seat is not intended for carrying a child
Aside from discussing how to lift, hold and place your baby in different positions, it is worth cautioning against carrying them in car seats. Correctly selected for the age and size of the child and with safety approvals, the seat is essential, but the key is to use it as intended.
Unfortunately, parents are often unaware of the negative effects to which an infant is exposed, who spends several hours a day immobilized in a car seat (while shopping or walking). For proper development, a toddler needs freedom of movement. Therefore, avoid situations in which your child stays in the seat for too long (outside the car) or take the carrycot with you. On the other hand, when driving for a long time, it is recommended to take breaks every 1,5-2 hours to let the child lie down on a flat surface for about 20-30 minutes.
Affectionate touch builds a bond with the child
Carrying, hugging, showing affection to a newborn and infant is important for building an emotional bond between a parent and a child, it strengthens the sense of security and is an important aspect of its development. A child does not require constant carrying - it is always a very individual matter (some children constantly demand it, others do not necessarily). However, it is always worth carrying the baby correctly, according to its age and needs.
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