Safe Holding Positions for Newborns

For many new parents, and even experienced parents, it can be scary to hold a newborn for the first few weeks. Newborns have very little head control. which can cause their heads to loll to the side uncomfortably. It is important to learn how to hold a newborn safely to prevent flat head spots, create a bond with your baby and move him from one place to another. Holding a baby has many benefits, from regulating his breathing to warming him up, while also teaching him about the world around him.

Cradle Hold

The cradle hold is one of the most natural ways to hold a newborn, and it is also commonly used for breastfeeding. In this position, the baby faces her parents, making it a good position to talk and interact with a baby. For this position, place the baby's head in the crook of the parent's arm, and wrap the parent's second arm around the baby. This places a baby in the fetal position, making her feel comforted and secure.

Football or Belly Hold

This position is safe for mothers who have had a cesarean section, because the baby is not hovering around the scar. In this position, the baby lies flat on the parent's forearm, while the parent holds the baby's head with his hand. In the belly hold, the baby lies on the forearm with his head down. This position is good for burping or comforting a colicky baby. In the football hold, the baby is looking up, making it a position in which parents can interact with the baby.

Shoulder Hold

In the shoulder hold position, a newborn's head rests against the parent's shoulder. The parent uses one arm to hold the lower back and bottom and uses the other arm to stabilize the head. The shoulder hold is a good position to hold a baby while she sleeps and when needs to be soothed, because hearing the sound of the parent's heart and his breathing calms a baby down. A variation is to hold the baby with her back toward the parent's chest, supporting her chest and bottom. In this variation, a newborn can look at the world around her.

Lap Hold

In the lap hold, the parent lies on her back facing up with her legs propped up. The baby is placed resting on the parent's legs, with his head against the parent's knees and bottom and his feet resting on the parent's stomach. This is a good position to interact with a baby, while parents give their arms a break.

Hip Hold

The hip hold is for older babies who have better neck and head control. This position is one-armed, allowing parents to have a free hand to do other things. In this position a baby sits on the parent's hip, and the parent's arm is wrapped around the baby's waist to hold her. The hip hold is also a good position for a baby to look around.