Aviation grip and co. – How to hold your baby properly
Especially in the first few days, your baby appears incredibly small, delicate, and fragile. The worry of hurting them in everyday interactions or even breaking something often accompanies almost all new parents. But you can rest assured: this fear is usually unfounded. On the contrary: babies love and need lots of physical contact! To help you feel even more confident in handling your little explorer, we asked LILLYDOO midwife Sissi Rasche for her tips on baby handling.
Lift your baby
Briefly grasp under the armpits around your baby's torso. Your thumbs rest on their chest, while the other fingers support the shoulder blades and the head. Then turn your baby. on the page and gently lift it over his hips . Your little explorer will also perform these movements independently later on when he learns to turn over and sit up – so you can practice the procedures from the very beginning.
Weighing grip
Place your baby in your arms after lifting him up, his head rests in your crook of the arm . In cradle grip you can carry your baby around and cuddle with them. But the cradle grip is also perfect for giving the bottle and breastfeeding.
Position change of the baby safety handles
If you want to move your baby into a different position now, place your thumb back on the chest with your free hand, while the other fingers support the neck and shoulders. Then, you can carefully release the arm in which your baby is lying and also reach under the armpit with the other hand. The Your baby's little head always stays calm in your crook of the arm lie down. This way, you can, for example, place your baby on your shoulder for burping or calming. Gently and soothingly stroke their back, as most babies really enjoy that.
In the video, LILLYDOO midwife Sissi shows you the various baby grab bars once again exactly.
Aircraft handle
Especially when your baby has stomach aches, the airplane hold is a good alternative, because your baby will especially love physical contact at that time. To help you perform the airplane hold correctly, we have a here Instructions for you :
If you are holding your baby in the cradle hold with your left arm, support the child's belly with your right hand, keeping the head in your crook of your arm. Then carefully move your left arm away from the baby's back in front of its chest, with the little head still resting in the crook of your arm. Then you can slowly turn your baby so that his belly on your left arm lies. His back is closely against your stomach and is supported in this way.
As long as your baby is very small, one arm is enough for this. When the baby gets bigger, you can simply use the other arm as well.
Has your baby calmed down and you want to pick it up? turn back from the airplane grip to the cradle grip , again take the right hand for support. It supports the baby's buttocks and back while you release the left hand and reach again from the child's abdomen under the back and buttocks. Here too, the little head remains stable in your crook of the arm.
Lay your baby down
Grab your baby under the armpits with both hands. The fingers support the shoulders and neck. Then you place your baby with your feet first and then roll it over the side hip into the back position. This way, you practice this rolling movement of the body, which your little explorer will later need to sit up on their own.
An extra tip from LILLYDOO Midwife Sissi: Encourage your baby’s natural movements every time you move your baby. If you notice that your baby starts to roll to the left on their own, also lift them up from the left side. This way, you are subtly promoting your baby’s future movements.
Whether it's a pilot grip or a cradle grip: your little explorer loves to be carried by you and to feel the body contact. Make it possible for him as often as possible – after all, you can both enjoy this wonderful time very specially.