Mom and Dad often feel worried when they want to hold a baby? Don't worry, in the right way, holding a baby can be fun,you know.
Carrying a baby can provide many benefits for babies and their parents. In addition to helping calm the baby, this activity can also build bonds between parents and children.
However, carrying a baby has a procedure and should not be done carelessly. In addition, avoid holding your little one when the mother or father is sick.
How to carry a baby according to age
Before starting to hold your little one, wash your hands with soap first to prevent him from being attacked by germs or viruses that cause disease. Next, make sure Mom or Dad finds a safe and comfortable position to hold the baby.
Here's how to properly hold a baby according to his age:
0 baby–2 months
Infants aged 0-2 months have not been able to support their own head. Therefore, it is important to always support your little one's head and neck every time you carry him. Here are the steps:
- Bend over and tuck one hand between your little one's head and neck.
- Place the other hand to support the back and buttocks.
- Lift and place your little one on your chest, then slowly change the holding position.
- Support your little one's back, neck and head with one arm and place the other hand to support his head.
Mom and Dad can also hold the baby in an upright position. The trick is to lift the little one's body slowly and place it on the shoulder in a prone position. After that, use one hand to support the head and the other hand to support the lower body.
If your little one is born prematurely, Mom and Dad can use the kangaroo care method (kangaroo mother care/KMC). The trick is to lay your little one on the mother's or father's chest, for at least 60 minutes a day, then cover his body. When doing the kangaroo care method, your little one only wears a diaper and a head covering.
baby age 3–4 months
At the age of 3-4 months, babies begin to be able to lift their own heads. Every now and then, Mom and Dad can try to hold the Little One in a sitting position facing forward, but still help keep his head in position with his hands, OK?
baby age 5–6 months
Babies generally begin to be able to support their own heads at the age of 5-6 months. Mom and Dad can carry him in a sitting position facing forward. Carry your little one by leaning his body on your shoulder. This is useful to stimulate his ability to get stronger to lift his head.
At this age, Mom and Dad have started to be able to use a baby carrier (baby carrier). Another way that can be used is to hold the baby with his legs wrapped around the waist of Mom or Dad, then support him with one hand.
Even though your little one has started to be able to support his head, Mom and Dad are still advised to keep his head in position when being carried.
Babies aged 7 months and over
Generally, babies aged 7 months and over are able to lift their shoulders and head. At this age, babies are also able to hold their feet when carried with an upright body.
To be safer, Mother and Father are encouraged to wear masks when they want to carry their little ones or do KMC. However, your little one doesn't need to wear a mask, right? This is to prevent him from having respiratory problems.
For some parents, holding a baby at first is not an easy thing to do. However, if you do it carefully and get used to it, holding a baby is actually easy and fun. There are various ways to hold a baby according to their age.
If you are still in doubt, Mother and Father can consult a doctor about the right way to hold the baby, according to the age and condition of the Little One.