After giving birth to your baby, you will spend a lot of time holding and comforting her. You will be moving from one place to another and trying to adjust her in the best possible position. This situation can help you strengthen your husband’s bond with the baby. Let your family, friends hold the baby and enjoy the moment too. It is good for the baby to know and get involved with other family members at an early age.

A condition called plagiocephaly is found in babies as they develop a spot on the back on at the side of their heads from too much pressure. This occurs when the baby is lying or sleeping in the same position for many hours during the night or daytime hours. To prevent this condition from occurring, you must carry and hold your baby in different position and promote tummy time at times she is awake. If you find any such spot, take your baby to the pediatrician quickly.

 Skin-to-Skin Contact With The Baby 

You will be holding your baby as soon as your baby is born. Skin-to-skin contact has important benefits including warming and helping the baby to regulate her breathing. This contact is not only important for the first day but also important throughout the infancy period. Baby enjoys the warmth of your body and the sound of your heartbeat. Baby feels completely safe and comfortable in the parents’ arms.

Different Holding Positions

New moms learn naturally how to hold the baby. However, there are various ways to hold the baby. Here are some basic holding positions for your baby which you can discover in your parenting experience:

Cradle Hold: The most common position for nursing the baby. The head of the baby goes in the crook of the arm and you extend the forearm along the baby’s back while supporting her bottom with the palm of your hand.

Shoulder Carry: This is the best position to hold and calm a fussy baby. Rest the head of the baby on your shoulder and hold the baby’s lower back and bottom with that arms while balancing baby’s head with the other hand.

Football Hold: With your dominant hand face up and at your side, place the back of your baby's head in your palm and support her body with your forearm, holding the baby close to the side of your body. This is the best nursing position especially if you had a cesarean section.

Hip Carry: This is the best position for older babies who can hold their own heads. Rest your baby’s bottom on your hip bone so she is facing outward and wrap an arm around the baby’s body. In this way, your other hand will be free for other tasks.