Dad’s Guide to Holding A Baby

We have all been there. You are a new dad or maybe even a friend of a new dad and you are put in the position of holding a baby for the first time. The nerves build and your confidence all of the sudden disappears, and those big eyes are looking at you. The cuteness overload is almost too much to bear, so you quickly hand the baby off to someone else. We came up with a short guide to help you keep the nerves at bay and enjoy the moment.

Before Holding A Baby

These are some tips that we believe everyone should keep in mind before even thinking about holding or interacting with a baby.

Wash your hands

Babies, newborns especially, are still in the process of developing a good immune system and during this time are highly susceptible to germs and infections. Doing your due diligence to help protect them is always a good thing. Get into a good habit of always washing your hands or using hand sanitizer when you can. This can greatly benefit both your baby.

Get Comfortable

Before picking up a baby, always ensure that you have a plan to get comfortable and relaxed. This not only assists you in keeping a secure hold but also improves the overall sense of nervousness and confidence if it is your first time.

While Holding A Baby

Such a simple task as holding a baby can seem so overwhelming. Consider these tips to help make the event more natural and relaxed.

Provide Support

Babies do not have the best neck control and this takes time to develop as their body continues to grow. Supporting their head and neck is a must and a huge portion of correctly holding a baby. You may notice soft spots on the top of their head, also known as fontanelles; be sure to keep them in mind so you do not hurt the baby.

Stay Calm

To best keep the baby calm, you must also stay calm. Finding a comfortable spot or chair, music, or people to support you, can help keep your nerves down and confidence up. Babies will look to you for a sense of security and warmth, so providing them exactly that with a cool, calm, ad collected attitude will always help.

Choose A Hold Type That Is Comfortable For You

These are some of the most common and supportive holds. Choosing the one that is the most comfortable for you is always the best option.

Cradle Hold

This hold is often considered the most natural hold for new parents and gives babies a ton of support. While holding your baby parallel to your chest, simply rest their head in the divot of your elbow (or forearm) and support their bottom with that same arm’s hand. Use your other arm for support and to interact with the baby if you are up to it.

Chest Hold/Shoulder Hold

A personal favorite. The chest hold or shoulder hold (depending on the position of the baby) is very comfortable for me and allows me to still move around while giving the most support. To do this hold, just support their bottom and legs with one arm and caress their back with the other. Allow your chest or shoulder to support your head and neck. Do it if you need to move your arm from their mid-back to a higher position. The goal is to provide the most support and comfort possible (for you and the baby). Once you are comfortable using this try walking around or bouncing. Our daughter will usually fall right to sleep in this position. The ability for them to hear your heartbeat while on your chest can help relax and soothe them.

Face-to-Face Hold

A great way to interact with them is to see them face-to-face. If they are awake and in a playful mood this is the perfect way to get quality time with them. This hold works best once they have a little more head and neck control, but using this earlier on is possible if given enough support. Simply place your hand behind their head and neck and support their bottom with the other. My daughter loved this early on and getting a giggle or two out of her made it a favorite hold for me.

Lap Hold

The lap hold is a great way to gain comfort and confidence for the dads who are nervous about hurting or not supporting the head enough. While supporting their head and neck you can rest all of their weight and your arms on your lap for extra stability. Of course, this hold only works while sitting down and limits what you can do, but it works wonders for new parents trying to build up the courage.

There are tons of other holds that you can try out there to make yourself comfortable. This list above are just a few that I use regularly and think are pretty easy to get the hang of. If you have any holds not included that you like, please be sure to leave a comment below.

Keep A Close Eye On The Baby

When you are using holds like the shoulder or chest and are not looking directly at the baby, it can be easy to get caught up in the moment, but always be sure to keep an eye on the baby to ensure their safety and comfort. Make sure they are breathing normally and are not too hot or too cold. Babies that are crying or fussy may just prefer a different holding position. Be sure to try a few different ones out until you find one that works for both of you.

Just a reminder, for babies that are less than six months old, be sure to ensure they have ample neck and head support. Their muscles are still developing and they are not able to support themselves. When switching positions, holds, or walking around, make this a priority to keep them safe and healthy.

Other Tips

• Trying out skin-to-skin contact is always a great idea for increasing the bond between you and your baby, check out our article on Kangaroo Care for more info.
• Seated positions offer the most stability and are great for extended periods.
• Always use both hands when moving or standing up/sitting down to support their body and head.
• The attitude you bring to this interaction is noticed and felt by your baby. Staying calm and collected can help them remain calm and helps them feel safe.
• Never hold your baby while cooking or cleaning, as hot temperatures and chemical cleaning products are not good for them and can be pretty dangerous.
• For those times when you do need to hold them for extended periods, as stated above, we recommend sitting. You can also pair this with a breastfeeding pillow or any larger pillow you may have lying around the house.

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