Welcome to my blog! Here is a little help with learning to hold your newborn.
Holding Your Newborn Is Both Exciting and Scary
When you are handed your newborn baby for the first time your heart races as you tentatively reach out to encompass the tiniest person you have ever seen! It's so exciting! Immediately you are cautioning yourself to be very careful, to support the head, and to somehow manage all of those floppy parts in unison to make holding more comfortable for both of you. You are grateful when the nurse swaddles your baby in a blanket. With everything contained you can now relax and enjoy your new baby.
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Perhaps This Will Help
Here is an easy and delightful trick that will help you learn to hold your newborn with confidence. Try holding your baby without a blanket!
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Tips
To make this time together more enjoyable for your baby, make sure your hands are warm, and make sure the room is warm too. For safety, and for your peace of mind, you should be seated in the middle of a bed so there's no chance of dropping your baby.
How to Begin
Start by unwrapping your newborn. Place your baby in a sitting position in your lap, and use both of your hands to support your baby's body, neck, and head. Your baby's arms and legs should be free to move as needed. As your baby uses arms and legs to try to maintain balance, your gentle support will help your baby gain control. Providing the support your baby needs is a skill you will develop. You will learn together during this gentle symphony of checks and balances.
Start Slowly
Although you will find it delightful to discover your newborn this way, try it for just a few minutes at a time. Your baby, like you, will be working hard to gain control and coordination too. Learning to manage all of those newborn baby parts is work ... for both of you!
A Suggestion
This tip is just a suggestion. If it does not feel right to you, no worries. You'll discover your own ways to learn to hold your newborn baby with the confidence you desire. Perhaps you'd like to share what works for you.
For you and yours,
D. Fravert, RN
To enhance your learning experience you'll find a video demonstration of this tip in the ebook Newborn Baby Manual for your iPad or your Kindle.
