I'm really worried about handling my baby when he/she arrives because I've hardly ever held an infant. I'm so nervous I'll hurt him somehow because I don't know what I'm doing.
What are the best ways to hold a baby? I know you support the head and neck, but I'm still a bit scared about it.
I think we all felt this way, even those who had handled newborns before. Honestly, it becomes very natural. Make sure you support the babys head and neck, like you said, and other than that, there's nothing to it. Eventually, you will be able to hold that baby in one hand while baking a cake in the other :lol:
I was scared about this too, but watching my older sister take care of her kids helped me. I think you will naturally know what to do once it arrives.
I'd recommend if you have any friends who have babies ask if you can hold them, or I don't know what kind of resources you have there but I went to a class for first time Teen mothers and it teaches you all of that kind of stuff.
I would recommended taking a pre-natal class, and maybe holding a doll. Because when it comes to awkward handling, just think about bathing taht baby! Ive had experience with babies, lots and lots, and I was nervous too.
I think everyone is, even people that have had 10 kids! But really, I found it was like instinct. Like youll notice you automatically walk around kind of bouncing to calm a baby down, and nobody ever taught you how, you just kind of do it that way.
That's a great idea! This is what I did too. The classes are very helpful.
I had held probably a hundred or more babies in my life and was still terrified that I wouldnt know how to hold Laerin when she came. Todd had never held a baby before and when he picked her up the first time he wasnt really nervous. It was like he was a pro! Maybe its just a mom thing.
Anyway, instinct is right. you will know.
and yes, be very careful with neck and head. I usually have/had both arms bent and together (like one hand at one elbow and the other at the other elbow) with babies head resting on the bend of one elbow. When i need to move he or she I slide the hand that is under the elbow that the head is resting on and place it over the neck and head for support.
Trust me though, you will know what to do when the time comes! If you are still worried, get a rag doll and carry it around making sure not to let its head flop back.
i have had a ton of experience holding babies, even infants... but i was still scared when the doctor handed him to me... but then i realized how strong he was and i wasn't going to break him... but then again he was almost 10lbs!! he started trying to hold up his head the night he was born!!
I was so scared I was going to break my kid and I've taken care of lots of babies. I thought I'd drop him!! All 5 pounds of him :roll:
LOL Seriously- you do get used to your baby and you know you won't drop them :D
Thanks everyone for the advice! Hopefully those motherly instincts will kick in. :)
You'll probably know just how to hold you little one! Just remember to support the head, that's very important. But overall babies are study creatures and are fine while mama wiggles them around figuring out the best way to hold them.
The childbirth/babycare classes are a good idea. If you have access to your local library a lot of times they have videos or dvd's on babycare you can check out that show you how to bathe and diaper, clothe, and hold a new baby. That might be something to look into. You can also just practice carrying a baby doll around the house, I did that some while nobody else was home :wink: espeically with the baby sling.
I hadn't been around babies much when my son was born, and I was worried too--I didn't even know how to change a diaper! But it comes to you, it really does. A lot of hospitals offer prenatal education and parenting classes--checking one out might help to ease your mind and help you to feel more prepared. Or, if you have any friends or relatives with small babies, see if you cvan hang out with them and help them out with baby-related care--that might give you some experience. Babies aren't as fragile as they seem--they're actually pretty resilient. Just be sure to support your baby's head with your hand (since babies have very little neck control at first) and carry him/her close to your body. You'll do great! :)
I remember when my son was born I was so afraid to hold him, It took me like 3 days to hold him and even then I was scared.