Disadvantages of holding a baby under the armpits

For babies, parents must learn some skills when holding their children. After all, the children are relatively young. If they are not held properly, it may have adverse effects on the children's health. Do not hold the baby from the armpits, because the baby's bones are very soft. If they are not held properly, it may cause fractures to the baby. As parents, we must pay attention to this aspect to avoid adverse effects on the baby's body.

What positions can be used to hold a baby?

1. Horizontal hold

The baby lies on the mother's forearm, with the mother's hands supporting the back, fingers pinching the outer buttocks and thighs, and the baby's head and neck resting in the crook of the arm, with the proximal chest and abdomen close to the mother's chest and upper abdomen.

When the baby is a little older, you should hold the baby horizontally with both hands, with one arm supporting the back of the baby's head and neck, the palms holding the baby's outer shoulders and arms from the back, and the other hand supporting the baby's hips and legs from below. This way, the baby will not easily slip when held horizontally.

The mother can sit on a chair and place the baby on his back on your thighs, support the baby's head, neck and upper back from both sides with both hands, and let the baby's feet rest on your abdomen. You can also place the baby horizontally on the mother's thighs and support the baby up and down with both hands.

2. Sitting hug

The baby's buttocks and lower limbs are placed on the mother's thighs while she sits. The mother sits up straight with the baby's face to one side. The mother puts one arm around the back of the baby's neck and holds the outer armpit. The mother presses the other side of the baby's shoulder against the mother's chest. The sitting position allows the baby to look around and the mother and baby can also look at each other.

Another sitting hold is for the baby to lean against the mother's chest with his face and hands facing forward, and the mother puts one hand around the baby from the armpits across the chest. Reach your other hand under the baby's thigh on the same side to the other side and hold the other side's buttocks and thigh.

3. Hold vertically

The baby lies on the mother's shoulder, and the mother holds the baby upright with the chest and abdomen pressed against the mother's chest. One arm goes around the back and grabs the baby's upper limb on the opposite side. If the baby's head cannot stand upright yet, the mother can support the baby's head and neck with her palm. The mother uses her other hand to support the baby's hips and legs from behind, supporting the weight of the whole body and holding the baby tightly. In this way, the baby can see the people around him with his head against the mother's shoulder, which also exercises the muscles of the head and neck and trains the movement of holding the head upright.

What are the precautions for holding your baby upright?

1. Hold the baby face down: let the baby's cheek rest on the mother's forearm, and support the baby's body with both hands. Keeping this position, you can also rock your baby back and forth to entertain him.

2. Let the baby face forward: When the baby is a little older and can control his head better, let the baby lean his back against the mother's chest, support his hips with one hand, and surround his chest with the other hand. This way, holding your baby facing forward gives him a good view of the world in front of him.

3. The baby sits on the mother's hips: The baby and the mother face each other, with legs apart and sitting on the mother's hips. The mother holds his hips with one hand and his back with the other hand. If the baby feels still not safe enough at this time, his little hands will tightly hold the mother's arms, which can promote parent-child affection.

4. Note: The baby can be held upright only after 3 months.

Before 3 months old, the baby's neck and back muscles are not well developed, so it is not suitable to be held upright. After 3 months, the baby will be able to support his head and you can try holding him upright. It helps the baby see many things, which helps promote the baby's sensory development. Babies also like to be held upright.