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Safely holding a baby

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Holding a baby safely

Picking up and holding your newborn baby can be a nerve-wracking experience to begin with. However, once you master the technique, it will become second nature. Babies love to be held and cuddled, so the sooner you feel comfortable handling them, the better.

The main point to remember is that your baby cannot support the weight of its own head for the first few months, or until its neck muscles become strong enough. This means you will spend most of your time interacting face-to-face with your baby, enjoying lots of bonding and kisses.

Supporting baby's head when lifting.

Supporting baby's head

Newborns

When your baby is born, it has very weak neck muscles and will be unable to lift or control its head movement for some time. Small babies' heads weigh more than any other part of their bodies - up to a quarter of their weight in most cases. This is why it is so important to support baby's head in the first few months. This means carefully cradling their head, neck and spine in the palm of your hand when lifting or moving them and also only placing them in positions where their head is supported.

When lifting your baby out of their pram or cot, use the following easy method:

Mind your back when lifting baby - bend your knees first, then lean over;
Always slide one hand underneath baby's head, fully supporting their head and neck;
Slide your other hand down to cradle their bottom and lower spine;
Gently lift baby up and bring them towards your chest, while ensuring their head is supported;
Hold baby against your chest, keeping one hand behind their head and one under their bottom;
Position baby so their head is just looking over your shoulder, but keep supporting their head;
Alternatively, keep your hand behind their head, and gently position baby in the crook of your arm. The inner side of your elbow can provide good support for their head and holding baby close to your body provides comfort;
Reverse this process to put baby down on the floor or into their crib, always supporting their head;
If handing baby to someone else, ensure you keep your hand underneath their head and neck until the other person has control;
Little babies are easily injured - avoid vigorous activity until they are more robust. Never, ever shake a baby - this can cause life-threatening brain damage in a matter of seconds;
Holding baby across your arm while supporting their head is a good way to burp them, and;
If holding baby at your shoulder, drape a cloth over your shoulder - babies often bring up milk.

Supporting baby's head when burping.

The first two months

By the time your baby is four weeks old, they should be able to lift their head briefly while lying on their stomach and even turn it from side to side for a few seconds. They may be able to lift their head for a few seconds while on your shoulder - some babies are stronger than others and will have pretty good head control at six weeks.

When in a slightly reclining position in a car seat or lounger, your baby will usually be able to watch you and hold their head upright. However:

It is too soon to use an upright stroller or backpack baby-carrier, as your baby's head will be wobbly and unstable. Wait until they can hold and support their own head without any help from you - using this type of equipment too soon can lead to a distressed baby and potentially cause injury, and;
Continue to support your baby's head while lifting them in and out of their crib or pram and off their play mat.

Three months onwards

By the time your baby reaches three months of age, they will usually be able to hold their head steadily for longer periods of time. However:

Still take care to support their head if they are still slightly wobbly and provide head support by positioning them in reclining seats, so they can sit back and watch the world go by, and;
If you notice your baby trying to lift their head upwards while lying on their back, encourage this by gently pulling them upwards by their hands. Only do this for a few moments each time until they build up stronger neck muscles.

Once your baby is old enough to gain complete head control, you would not need to worry about supporting their neck and head all the time.

If your baby is struggling to support their own head by three months, mention this to your doctor.

10 Most frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do I need to support my newborn's head when I lift them?

Yes. For the first few months, your baby may not be able to support the weight of their own head. If you pick them up without supporting their head, it will probably flop backwards, distressing your baby and potentially causing injury.

Why do small babies have wobbly heads?

Small babies' heads weigh more than any other part of their bodies - up to a quarter of their weight in most cases. Babies do not need to use their muscles when in the uterus, so when they are born, they have very weak and undeveloped neck and head muscles.

What is the best way to pick my newborn up?

For starters, be careful of your back when lifting a baby - bend your knees first, then lean over. Then: always slide one hand underneath baby's head, fully supporting their head and neck; slide your other hand down to support their bottom and lower spine; gently lift baby up and bring towards your chest, while ensuring their head is supported; hold baby against your chest, keeping a hand behind their head and one under their bottom; alternatively, keeping your hand behind their head, gently position baby in the crook of your arm - your inner elbow can provide good support for their head and holding baby close to your body provides comfort; if handing baby to someone else, ensure you keep your hand underneath their head and neck, until the other person has control, and; reverse this process to put baby down on the floor or into their crib, always supporting their head.

Can I put my newborn in an upright stroller?

Upright strollers do not provide any support for your baby's head and neck, so they are unsuitable until your baby is able to control its head. Some strollers have removable padding, specially designed to support newborns and have them in a reclining position - these are OK for tiny babies.

Is it safe to put my newborn in a backpack baby carrier?

Wait until your baby has head control before using a backpack baby carrier. As they are behind you, you cannot see if they are distressed or if their heads have flopped down against their chests, or worse, backwards.

What are fontanelles?

Fontanelles are the soft spots on your newborn's head, where the bones of their skull have not fused together. It is OK to lightly touch these when washing baby's hair or combing it, but protect these areas from impacts when lifting baby.

When will my baby be able to hold up its head without support?

By the time your baby is three months old, they will usually be able to hold their head steady for longer periods of time. Still, take care to support their head if they are still slightly wobbly and provide head support by positioning them in reclining seats, so they can sit back and watch the world go by.

My baby was preterm - will this affect their head control?

In many cases, yes. Preterm babies are often slower to develop physically than their peers. Each baby is unique, but it is perfectly normal for a preterm baby to be a few months behind a full-term baby of the same age.

Is it safe to put my baby on its tummy?

Tummy time is good for your baby and helps them to develop their neck muscles. Start off with 1-2 minutes, two or three times per day. You can build up to 15 minutes a few times daily over the months. Your baby will spend most of its time lying on its back, which can lead to a misshapen head, or flat spots on the back of the head, so tummy time will help prevent this. If your baby does not like tummy time, try laying them across your knee or propping them up with a rolled-up towel underneath their chest.

Can I help my baby to develop their neck muscles?

Daily tummy time is a great way to help exercise a baby's neck. Encourage your baby to pull themselves upright from lying on their back by holding their hands and gently pulling their arms upwards. Only do this for a few seconds until they build up some strength.

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