Holding and carrying a newborn can be intimidating if you haven't done it before. A newborn can feel floppy, and his neck is fragile. Learning how to handle a newborn while feeding, dressing and bathing him is important. Once you get the hang of it, holding him won't seem so intimidating.
Step 1
Support the infant's head and neck at all times. Keep the head aligned with the spine, being careful not to allow the head to roll or drop forward or backward. Cradle the baby's head in the crook of your arm when you hold him and always place a hand behind the infant's head when you lift or lower him from a crib, carrier or someone else's arms.
Step 2
Pick up your infant carefully. The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation suggests sliding one hand beneath the newborn's behind and hip area while the other hand supports his head and torso. Spread your fingers wide to offer as much support as possible.
Step 3
Avoid jiggling or shaking a newborn. Incessant crying and fussing can frustrate many first-time parents, but jiggling or shaking a baby can cause major head trauma or spinal cord damage, according to the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Step 4
Place your baby in an approved car seat when traveling, installing it in the back seat of the car, facing backward, the Journal of the American Medical Association advises. This may go against the instincts of a parent who wants to see his child, but is safer for the infant in the event of an accident.
Step 5
Place your baby on his back for sleeping, suggests the Journal of the American Medical Association. This reduces the risk of Sudden Death Syndrome. The crib mattress should be very firm to provide adequate support.
Step 6
Avoid placing blankets or other loose bedding in the crib, which may cause a choking or suffocation hazard for your infant.
Step 7
Dress your baby carefully by passing sleeves or pant legs over his limbs, rather than pulling them through the sleeves or pant legs, suggests the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. Roll the baby as necessary for dressing, always being careful to support the head, spine and hips.
Step 8
Swaddle your baby to promote his sense of security, the website Baby Center suggests. This also makes lifting the baby easier, as the snugly wrapped blanket makes him firmer.
