For parents with one arm, it is important to seek professional help and guidance if you are struggling or worried you will struggle to care for your baby due to your disability. Midwives, health visitors and occupational therapists (OTs) can help with a wide variety of queries and obstacles, such as finding any adaptive equipment you may need to aid you in your parenting journey along with manoeuvres that will help you to move your baby. And rest assured that you will not be the first to ask for disabled parenting advice!
A good tip to prepare parents with disabilities for the arrival of their new baby is to get some practice with a weighted doll before the baby arrives, so you can get used to the movements and try out equipment without the pressure and worry of doing something wrong. Be aware that a doll is completely immobile compared to a real baby, so it might be an idea to have someone around to aid you in the first few weeks of baby care so you can build up your confidence.
Parenting a young child with one arm may feel like it is getting more difficult as they get bigger and heavier, but as they get older, they will also become more responsive and able to communicate, therefore you may be able to encourage them to climb onto your lap or into your arms so you don’t have to bend over to lift them, or you can have them hold onto you while you carry them, helping to make it a little easier for you.