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Home › Articles › Guiding Baby's Development › To Have and to Hold

To Have and to Hold

Cradling and Loving your Newborn

By Amy Carey

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You carried your baby for months, safely tucked inside you where it took little effort to keep him warm, cradled and content. But now that he's finally here, things are a bit trickier. Keeping Baby happy isn't as easy as eating well and getting lots of rest like you did while you were pregnant. He requires you – and lots of you – leaving your arms a bit tired at times. You might find yourself looking down at your little bundle and wondering, what do I do with him now?

The Reasons
Holding your baby is important for both of you. That newborn smell, the cuddly feel of his soft skin and fuzzy pajamas – all are unforgettable parts of enjoying this fleeting time with your baby. Holding your baby close is actually known to decrease his periods of crying. It also allows new parents to bond with their babies, which may help some moms avoid incidents of postpartum depression.

But how will you know the "right" way to hold your baby? What if you drop her or forget to support her head? While these fears are normal for new parents, you should always approach your baby with confidence in your ability to hold her and provide her with ample comfort and safety. If you find yourself afraid of "breaking" her or otherwise not being up to the task, neither of you will enjoy being close.

From day one, Baby is primarily concerned about being held near and feeling secure. Imagine his transition from the womb to the world: It's suddenly cold and bright, and he's no longer being automatically rocked to sleep by his mother's movements. In those early days of life, says Paula Bobbett, owner of NursingBaby.com and MothersNature.com, "Babies, so recently from the womb, really appreciate ... being held next to Mommy," whether in a sling or swaddled in a blanket to mimic the snugness he's loved for the past nine months. Just be sure to lift Baby carefully by placing your hand under his neck and head before picking him up.

The Methods

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