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It is tempting to bend your back to pick up a baby, especially if you are picking the baby up from a lower surface. Bend at your knees to move to a lower level before you lift the baby. Bending at your knees shifts your weight and takes some of the pressure off of your back. Bending at the knees is particularly important if you have recently given birth. Your legs are much stronger than your back. Your feet and knees should be at least shoulder-width apart when you lift. If you have to squat to pick up the baby, stick your buttocks out and keep your back as flat as possible. If you had a C-section birth, you may want to have someone lift the baby and hand it to you until you've fully recovered. Slide your hand under the baby's head and place your other hand under the baby's bottom. Once you have a good grip, scoop the baby up and bring him or her to your chest. Always bring the baby close to your chest before you lift. Head support is critical for newborns because their neck muscles are not developed. Be careful not to press on the soft spots on the baby's head. Support the baby the same way if it's swaddled or in a sleep sack. Rely on your palms instead of your wrists to lift. Lifting a baby can put a strain on your wrist. Keep your thumbs close to your hand. Large gaps between your thumb and the rest of your hand will put a strain on the tendons that control your thumb. Babies typically can keep their head up with minimal support around three or four months of age. This technique is good if you are lifting the baby from the ground. Place one foot next the baby and lower yourself down to one knee. Make sure the baby is close to your knee on the floor. Slide the baby from your knee to your mid-thigh and lift the baby onto your opposite thigh. Put both of your forearms under the baby and bring the baby close to your chest. Keep your back straight and your head facing forward as you do this technique. To protect your back, make sure your buttocks is pushed out as you bend. Use this technique if you need to turn while you are lifting the baby. Lift the baby as you usually would and hold the baby close to your body. Turn your lead foot 90 degrees in the direction that you want to move. Bring your other foot to where your lead foot is. Move your feet instead of twisting your body. You can hurt your back if you turn your upper body instead of changing the position of your feet. Try not to turn too quickly. Pivot at a slow,controlled pace. Rest the baby's head on your chest and slide your hand from the baby's bottom to support the baby's neck. Move your baby's head to the crook of your arm and then place your other hand on the baby's bottom. Once the baby is cradled in one arm, you can use your other arm to interact and play with the baby. Support your baby's neck as you get your baby settled into the cradle position. Cradling is ideal for holding a newborn baby. Rest the baby on your chest and shoulder. Place one hand on the baby's bottom and support the baby's head and neck with your other hand. Keep your back straight and your abdominal muscles tight as you are holding the baby. This position allows the baby to look over your shoulder and hear your heartbeat. Alternate the shoulder that you carry the baby on. This can prevent overuse injuries. Use your entire arm as you hold the baby. Your forearm is comprised of small muscles that may not be used to carrying a baby. Keep your wrist straight and use your elbow and shoulder muscles to carry the baby. If you're going to swaddle the baby, do it before you hold it on your shoulder. Avoid pointing your wrists and fingers towards the floor as you carry your baby. Make sure the baby's head is over your shoulder or turned to the side so it can breathe. A baby sling is a fabric, one-shouldered carrier that is a safe option for carrying your baby. Make sure that your baby's face is not covered by your body or the sling when you carry your baby this way. Your baby may have difficulty breathing if his or her face is covered. Bend at your knees if you pick something while holding your baby in the sling. You can alternate the shoulder that your sling is on to help with alignment issues and from tiring one of your shoulders out. Always read the instructions when you use a sling. There is a weight minimum for using the sling. Carrying the baby on the front of your body allows you to keep the baby close to your body and evenly distribute the weight of the baby. Cinch the carrier around your waist and shoulders. Make sure the baby is facing you instead of facing outwards. Facing the baby outwards puts pressure on the baby's spinal curves and hips. This can result on developmental issues for your baby in the future. Facing the baby towards you will also protect your spine. If your baby is facing outwards, more pressure is put on your spine and back.
Lift from your legs. Support the baby's head. Use the tripod technique. Use the pivot technique. Cradle the baby to support its hips and back. Hold the baby on your shoulder. Use a baby sling. Use a front carrier.