Fortunately, many modern parents refuse to apply to infants from birth such educational measures as “letting one shout out” in a crib, teaching them “to be independent” (this is a nursing baby!), And most importantly - in no case take it in your arms so that he does not get used to it and does not spoil. It has now been scientifically proven that these harsh methods will not bring anything except an undermined psyche and violations in the relationship between parents and children in the future. Children should not be left alone to learn to be their own pacifiers, as parents sometimes advise. This detached approach to childcare is contrary to both common sense and experience. In the course of research, it has been repeatedly proven that in the absence of a mother, children behave more nervous and disorganized.

Increasingly, experts say that unrestricted carrying of a child in his arms contributes to his development, both physical and mental. There is a so-called "manual period" (up to about three months; after three months, the baby also needs to be carried in her arms, but not all the time), during which the baby must be constantly carried in her mother's arms. And if he does not receive this due to the fact that the mother decides “not to teach the child to hand,” then the baby may withdraw, stop trusting his mother and not ask for a hand at all, because he gets better on his own. Some children begin to demand what nature itself has laid in them (this is also called the innate expectation of a baby), namely: unlimited carrying. And if the mother, for some reason, does not give this to the child, then her actions do not correspond to the innate expectation of the baby, and then he becomes restless and often cries. Children, who are often and a lot carried in their arms, as well as kissed and stroked, develop better and are calmer. They direct their energy not to ceaseless crying, but to growth. Moreover, the positive influence of bodily contact between a mother and a child is noted throughout the living world.

HOW TO CARRY A CHILD ON HANDS?

But it happens that the baby weighs a lot, and mom is fragile. How to be? How to carry your child in your arms so that both are comfortable? How to be in constant bodily contact if mom has a lot of household chores? The answer is simple: use a sling! This simple and, I note, the most ancient device for carrying children, is the best solution to all of the above problems. The baby is constantly at his mother’s breast, which ensures good weight gain and sufficient milk throughout the entire period of breastfeeding, hears his mother’s heartbeat, feels her breathing, lives in the rhythm of mother’s steps, smells a familiar and dear smell (because the areola smells also as well as amniotic fluid). And at the same time, mom can do all the necessary things, because her hands remain free. Mom not only carries the baby, like a crystal vase, but does household chores with him in her arms, and this leads to the fact that the baby regularly turns on the muscle corset (trunk muscles). After all, mom will put it down to remove a pot of hot soup from the stove, then bend over to throw out the garbage, then sit down to pick up a thing from the floor, etc. As a result, "tame" babies keep their heads well and timely, group well, and subsequently have excellent control over their bodies. Carrying on hands generally contributes to the development of the vestibular apparatus of children. Fortunately, in our time, it is not at all difficult to choose and purchase almost any type of slings, and experienced consultants at regularly held master classes will help you master it.

William and Martha Sears, in their book Your Baby From Birth to Two Years, give an example of the use of a sling as a kind of incubator for premature babies. A group of specialists from South America made a discovery: some maternity hospitals, due to financial reasons, could not afford the purchase of expensive equipment necessary for nursing premature babies. Instead of an incubator, they put the children in a kind of sling and bandaged them to their mothers. These babies grew and developed as well as those that the technology took care of. There is no doubt that this was due to close bodily contact with the mother. Maternal warmth warmed the children, maternal movements calmed them, and they directed energy not to cry, but to growth and development. The constant closeness of the mother made the babies want to breastfeed more often.

CARRYING A CHILD ON HANDS: THE PROS

So there are definitely positive aspects of carrying children in your arms and in a sling:

1. Carrying a child in your arms contributes to the correct formation of the skeleton and muscular apparatus.

The way the child is carried and the duration of his stay in the arms determine the growth of the skeleton and the development of the muscular apparatus. Correct distribution of the load, elimination of excessive tension in the lower back is the key to a future healthy spine. The lack of frequent and prolonged carrying of the child in the arms or improper support may be accompanied by insufficient muscle tone, cause a delay in motor development and improper formation of the spinal curves. If the baby is worn incorrectly, there is a risk of distorted development of his hip joints. Indeed, all these health deviations are completely unknown where people live within the framework of traditional culture, and women carry children on themselves as nature should. It is well known that these peoples do not have such an orthopedic disorder as congenital dislocation of the hip.

2. Carrying organizes the baby and regulates his systems.

Studies have shown that keeping the mother and baby inseparable for a long time, as when wearing a sling, helps the baby to distinguish between day and night more quickly. The mother's rhythmic walking reminds the baby of the womb, the delightfully regular heartbeat of the mother is also familiar to him from the moment of conception, etc. All parental rhythms have a stabilizing effect on the child's as yet confused rhythms.

3. Carrying is conducive to the child's learning.

"What kind of training can there be when it comes to babies?" - you will be surprised. But this is so: wearing it contributes to the fact that children are in the center of events. The child is always where mom is. And since he does not waste time and energy on crying, but is in a state of balanced vigilance, the baby interacts in the best way with the world around him, learning about it. Also, carrying introduces the child into the world of people, because Carried babies recognize their parents' faces better and earlier, better recognize their gait rhythm and smell. The child sees what the mother does. Unfortunately, this cannot always be achieved by transporting a child on wheels and then parking it somewhere.

4. Carrying a child in your arms helps to establish close contact between the child and the parents.

The way a mother and a child begin their life together largely determines its further course, their future relationship. Constant contact forms in the child a feeling of complete trust in the mother, the understanding that the world is reliable and stable. And the perception of the surrounding reality in this way leads to the formation of a strong, self-sufficient, uncomplexed personality. Also, constant contact between mother and child for both means that everything is fine when they are together. Wearing in general makes the child more connected. Babies who are worn in a sling in a belly-to-belly position do not have eye-to-eye gaze problems. And, you see, not every adult can openly look into the eyes of another person due to various psychological reasons.

Unrestricted carrying on the arms has many advantages for the mother herself.

Her body, if the child literally “lives in her arms,” gradually gets used to the growing weight of the child and develops dexterity in carrying, so she carries the child without prejudice to her health. A mother, who tries not to teach the child to hand, still has to take the child in her arms several times a day in order to feed and swaddle. At the same time, her physical fitness will not keep up with the increasing weight, and there is a high probability of injuring her back with the next lifting of the child. In addition, a mother who breastfeeds and carries a baby for a long time recovers her figure and physical shape very quickly. A mother carrying a baby feels much calmer than one who constantly runs to the crib. This is justified. Since the baby is with his mother all the time, she has the opportunity to quickly notice his needs, and help the baby before he cries. And since he is calm, then mother is also calm. A mother who can easily carry her child is mobile. At the same time, thanks to the ability to live with a child in her arms, at a visit, a store or a restaurant, a mother with a baby will enjoy the rest no less than before pregnancy. Another important advantage of using a baby sling is the ability to discreetly feed your baby. If the baby is in a sling in the "cradle" position, then others will not notice that your child is enjoying mother's milk. Only juicy smacking can reveal your secret!

CARRYING A CHILD ON HANDS: CONS

However, one often has to deal with a wary and even negative attitude towards carrying a child both in his arms and in a sling. And the most common "cons" include the following:

1. Carrying your baby in your arms will spoil him.

But a baby cannot be spoiled by the fact that you will satisfy one of his basic needs - the need for contact with the mother. And the first months of life are most important in the formation of basic emotional attitudes. Mom is near - it means that everything is fine, the world is stable. Only by about two years old is the child able to realize that if the mother has left, then she has not ceased to exist, that she will return. For a baby, if an object disappears from the field of vision, it ceases to exist. And if mom disappears, then the whole world is crumbling. It is also important that the stronger you and your baby are initially attached to each other, the easier it will be for him to occupy himself later. The “departure” from the mother in children who were not limited in bodily contact occurs almost imperceptibly for both. A walker, which has been worn for a long time, will ask for handles mainly only when his legs are really tired.

2. Carrying a baby in a sling in a sling can adversely affect the structure of the spine.

In the sling, the baby adopts the position that best suits his anatomical structure. If the newborn is put on its stomach or lifted, it will almost immediately pull up its legs and assume the "frog" position, because it is the most physiological. And in the sling, the baby is also with divorced and raised legs. The baby's rounded back (kyphosis) does not straighten immediately. The well-known S-shaped form of the spinal column takes only with the first steps of the child. In the sling, the child is exactly in the position with a rounded back. This applies to both the cradle position and the vertical belly-to-belly position, the hip position, and the back position.

3. Carrying the baby in your arms in a sling makes it difficult for the baby to breathe.

This myth "grew" from the fact that babies in a sling scream less, because they are calmer and more balanced. And the peaceful calmness of the child speaks only of the opposite: everything is in order. Moreover, according to research from the Cologne University Hospital, close bodily contact with the mother stimulates and regulates the child's respiratory center.

4. When worn in a sling, the baby does not see anything except the mother's face.

This statement is simply ridiculous, because children with interest turn their heads in different directions, being on their mother. Well, if it is no longer enough for a small researcher to simply turn his head to consider everything that interests him, there are positions “on the hip” and “behind the back”. This is how the world appears before the child "face".

So, carrying a child has undoubted advantages both for him and for the parents. But this does not mean at all that if a family has chosen a stroller as a means of moving a child, he will grow up defective or develop with an obvious lag. In no case should moms and dads who carry babies in strollers feel guilty. The main thing is that the choice of one way or another way of dealing with the baby should be conscious and bring joy to both parents and their babies.

Happy parenting!

In this article, I propose to find out whether it is reasonable carry on baby's arms And How tame baby can change a mother's life. What benefits for mom and baby can be derived from such close contact. And also why does it happen that the child sleeps only in his arms and how to live with it.

I will describe in a separate paragraph what effect the carrying of a child has on the health of the mother. In the comments I am waiting for your feedback and questions, and I also propose to collect a piggy bank of useful experience of mothers of tame children. The experience of mothers who have more than one child will be especially valuable for readers.

• warming a newborn (even a warmly dressed baby cools up to 3 months - thermoregulation is not yet developed)
• access to the mother's breast as needed gives the baby the best conditions for weight gain and physical development
• by warming the baby's belly, the mother promotes better digestion of the baby, relieves infant colic

Carrying on the hands gives the baby a feeling of safety and comfort. Creates conditions for soft adaptation after childbirth - close intimacy with the mother with her warmth, smell, voice, heartbeat and other familiar living conditions is maintained.

There is a method of nursing premature and low birth weight babies - "Kangaroo method", when the child contacts the mother skin to skin 24 hours a day. It was created on the basis of the powerful positive influence of such contact on the child, which significantly stimulates the physical and mental development of the infant. These effects are true for absolutely all children.

When the child is in the arms of the mother, close dialogue between the bodies of mother and child... Yes, yes, it is the dialogue. This is the very first dialogue a baby is capable of. When a mother holds a baby, she adjusts her hands to the baby's body, and he reciprocates her. Imagine a tactile dialogue between two lovers - fleeting touches, light or tight hugs ... It is especially acutely felt at first, then, perhaps, it becomes a habit. So it is with the child.

He still does not know how to speak, to express himself with gestures, but at the level of bodily tone he is already communicating with you. When everything is good, he is relaxed, when there is discomfort or pain, he is tense, when he is scared, he cuddles closer to his mother, and so on. He reads the same signals from the mother's body.

Thus, when a mother carries a child, she gives him detailed information about what is happening tactilely and with a voice. Continues to develop the vestibular apparatus by swaying while walking, and also massages his body. Warms, gives breasts as needed.

Frequent or consistent contact builds and strengthens the bond between mother and child. The saying "Out of sight - out of mind" is more than true for the baby - when mom is not around, then she is not there at all, and this is very scary!

For a tired young mother, it is so tempting to take a break from the baby and, from time to time, such a rest is vital for her, but after 5 minutes she is already bored and worried about her baby.

Speaking of fear. It has been proven that frequent stress, in particular hormones that are produced during a stressful situation, have a destructive effect on the structures of the human brain and its immunity. It's like with a little sweet - good, and with an excess, various diseases develop. Staying in the crib and ignoring crying is chronic stress for the baby... In addition, this parenting style negatively affects the child's attachment to the mother.

Why does the child only sleep in his arms

From all of the above, it can be seen that the highest degree of comfort for the baby is achievable only in the arms of the mother. We adults also prefer a comfortable sleeping environment.

The child instinctively realizes that he is defenseless and needs the care of his mother. This is evidenced by his physiological reactions to separation - a decrease in heart rate, respiration, body temperature, an increase in the level of stress hormones.

We are all different and react differently to stress or discomfort. Children are also different, and many (almost all) need close contact with their mother for a restful sleep. In addition, frequent awakenings at night and the need for parental closeness during sleep are normal, even in older children.

Another point, young children prefer to sleep with their breasts in their mouths. This way they get the most nutritious fatty milk in small portions, even if the baby does not seem to be sucking. This contributes to better weight gain, significantly reduces the intensity of colic.

Little kids sleep quite a lot. Mom is simply not able to spend so much time in bed, and mom is nearby and mother's milk is a vital need for a sleeping baby. So it turns out that the child sleeps comfortably in the arms of the mother, while she is busy with her own affairs.

Mom and tame child in everyday life

In the first couple of months, the mother has an important task - to recover from childbirth herself and to help the child adapt to new living conditions. It is very good when there are au pair, do not refuse the help of friends and family.

Household appliances are the best helpers of a young mother. Try to keep household chores to a minimum and get more rest with your child. Ideal when the mother sleeps with the newborn.

There is also the “Successful Moms Club”. Here you will find a powerful source of support and inspiration. Sometimes you even wonder how many problems can be solved with simple truths. And how simple, easy and joyful motherhood can be.

Slings are the most faithful friends of those mothers who have nowhere to wait for help or who have older children. If the sling has not yet been mastered, believe me, you can do a lot of things with a child in one hand! Verified by personal experience! The main thing is to master the skill of the correct positioning of the child in the arms. This is all very simple.

Here are some of the most common positions for carrying a baby on handles:

For an older child, a chaise longue or car seat is suitable. These gadgets are not used for long - the child is growing rapidly. Buy or not - focus on your budget! The crawling toddler can be lowered to the floor in a safe space. Such activities allow the child to keep the mother in sight, which significantly reduces his anxiety. Mom will be able to react to the baby's signals in time.

When the baby is in her bed, and the mother is carried away by household chores, it is very easy to forget and come to her senses only when the baby cries or the breast is full and sore.

Frozen semi-finished products, potatoes in uniforms, cereals boiled with boiling water (buckwheat porridge, rolled oats ...), whole piece vegetables instead of salad will come to the rescue ... A little imagination and family meals will become tasty, varied and not burdensome for mom.

The ideal option for early development for a child is to participate in household chores with mom. The temperature difference will be demonstrated by the refrigerator, the clink of cutlery, the smells of processed food, the murmur of water - a lot of new information! Do not compare with the monotonous mobile above the crib. In addition, mom is nearby and you can calmly explore the world around you. At the beginning, the vision is not very developed, gradually the eyes mature and the baby, from the height of the mother, is presented with a gorgeous view.

True, you have to give up frying - splashes of hot oil can get on the child. Although, this will only improve the family's diet. You can replace frying with baking or use braising.

A little about safety with a tame child:

• The child's face should always be in sight
• Control your baby's breathing
• Provide support in the shoulder blades and neck area (do not hold your head)
• Never hold your child's head and torso in separate hands! The ligaments of the cervical vertebrae have not yet strengthened, the risk of their displacement is high
• Children who are not sitting on their own should not be sat on their hands or held under the butt so as not to load the spine
• Temporarily stop eating or drinking hot foods (so as not to burn the baby)
• Monitor your posture, observe the biomechanics of lifting weights
• Remember the changed body dimensions (you are now with a child)
• Change your hand more often (transfer the child to the other hand at least once every 2 hours)
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Growing up children are very curious - control hot, sharp, heavy objects at the level of the child's arms and legs
• Demand to give way in transport

All these wisdoms are actually simple and natural. But you will get unimaginable mobility!

Himself, a tame child, having sat on the arms of his mother to his heart's content, with great pleasure, go to explore the world. Therefore, do not be afraid to accustom the child to his hands - if he grows up and runs away, you will not catch it!

Hand carry and maternal health

Carrying a baby in your arms is, of course, good, but how will it affect the health of the mother herself? Let's take a look at the most serious conditions first.

In the case of dangerous infectious diseases of the mother, contact with the child may in principle be contraindicated.

In case of a serious condition (after complicated childbirth, caesarean section, abdominal operations, injuries, etc.), with the permission of doctors, it is possible for the mother and child to stay in bed together. Then, it is usually recommended to carry the baby in a sling, since the load is better distributed and it is easier for the mother to take the baby in her arms.

Varicose veins are, unfortunately, a common condition during pregnancy. Here you need to consult a phlebologist. For healthy women, this consultation will also not hurt - there is a preventive compression hosiery.

A sling on both shoulders will also help with disorders of the mother's musculoskeletal system. In any case, a doctor's consultation is necessary.

Mothers with health problems who do not want to carry a child in their arms in one way or another need a consultation with a specialized doctor. The catch is that you will have to pick up a blood-born child, drag the stroller, and bathe in the bathtub. And this is a serious burden for an unprepared organism.

Now a few words about the fact that carrying a child is hard. During pregnancy, the mother's weight increases significantly. Especially in the last weeks, a large belly is taken extremely hard. The grown uterus presses on the internal organs, interferes with free breathing, the volume of maternal blood is increased - the heart works for two, for three, and sometimes for four! :)

You can read about back pain and joint pain at the link provided.

After childbirth, the woman's weight decreases, even if you pick up the baby. Amniotic fluid, placenta, part of the blood leave, and this is a very significant plumb line. It will be hard to breathe while standing for a while - this is absolutely normal and will soon pass. Tying your belly can help relieve this discomfort.

The baby is born and it becomes easier for mom.

Mom + newborn weigh less than a pregnant woman! This means that the load on the mother has decreased, just the muscles involved in the work have changed a little.

The child grows gradually, the mother has time to get used to the increasing load. For those who are still scared, read the article on the norms of physical activity for healthy people. As for me, a tame child is a great helper in the health of the mother.

Exercise is the best way to lean and prevent a number of diseases, including osteoporosis. The weight of the child, acting on the mother's musculoskeletal system, reflexively promotes better absorption of calcium, which is so important for a nursing mother.

And, of course, correct wearing, especially in a sling, simply transforms the mother's posture. She becomes perfect. Add to these benefits that unimaginable happiness to feel the baby so close to you, to smell the baby, to be able to kiss your beloved crown at any time ...

Thus, with a smart approach to carrying the baby, mother and baby can benefit from a range of health and developmental benefits.

Conclusion

Here is such a long and difficult article ... Each mother has her own secrets of organizing a comfortable life. Each woman herself makes a choice in the direction of a stroller or sling, playpen or joint sleep. Each has its own reserves of strength, health, features of physical development. The main thing is that all the devices for caring for the baby do not separate the mother and the child, but, on the contrary, contribute to their closer contact and communication.

Thank you for sharing this article on social media. All the best!

Best regards, Elena Dyachenko

Do I need to carry the baby in my arms? There is an opinion that it is harmful to accustom a child to hands, that in this way it is easy to spoil him. There is also a directly opposite position - carrying in your arms is useful for the physical and mental development of the child and cannot bring anything but benefit to mom and baby. Let's try to understand this issue.

Why carry a baby in your arms?

The world of a newborn baby is not as calm and serene as it might seem. After spending nine months in the womb, the baby after birth enters the outside world, where everything is different. Warmth, calmness and regularity of intrauterine existence are replaced by rather aggressive conditions. Here, the baby is hot or cold, uncomfortable with bright light or loud sounds, here he may feel hungry or thirsty. And the only thing that inspires confidence in this still unexplored and troubled world is my mother's hands. When mom wears his baby in arms, gently pressing him to himself, he calms down. Familiar mother's smell, warm hands give the baby confidence and a sense of security.

In addition, a newborn baby is not yet able to explore the world around him. When a mother, moving around, carries a child in her arms, he explores everything around, receives a sea of ​​new information and is actively developing.

Can carrying in your arms spoil a child?

Frequent carrying can spoil baby- this position was quite popular among previous generations, and still retains its supporters. However, most modern child development specialists believe that this is not the case. According to child psychologists, it is generally impossible to spoil a child until one year old, since he still does not know how to be capricious, that is, to consciously achieve his goal with screams and tears. If the baby is crying, it means that he really lacks something very important. At this stage, physical contact with the mother is as necessary for the baby as food and air - he simply has not yet learned to live separately from his mother.

Modern pediatricians are also convinced of the need carrying a baby... There is such a thing as hospitalism - as applied to pediatrics, it refers to babies who received only the necessary care (washed, fed, massaged, etc.). Born physically full-fledged, such babies eventually began to lag behind in psychomotor development from their peers only because they were rarely picked up.

Of course, everything needs a measure, and round the clock carrying a baby- not the best option. As elsewhere, in motherhood, moderation tends to yield better results than bigotry. The baby needs a mother, but after all, one day you need to learn to do without her, and therefore you must definitely give him time to be alone, leaving him to lie in a crib or playpen.

How to wean a baby out of hand? Experience shows that as a child grows up, the desire for independent research overpowers the desire to be in the mother's arms. He will want to know the world himself, first - by crawling, then - by running and studying everything around. The need for physical contact with parents weakens with age, although, of course, a mother's hugs are required for a baby at three and four years, and even after.

How to carry a baby in your arms

There were times when children up to six months were carried in their arms only in the supine position, holding the head with their hand. The kid could see his mother and communicate with her, but this was practically the end of the review.

Modern experts in early childhood development advise showing your child the world, giving him a wide overview and more useful information.

1. Vertical position "facing away". Take the baby under the breast with your left hand. The baby's chin should be on your wrist (thus, the baby's head is securely held, even if he himself does not yet know how to do it). Hold the baby's legs with your right hand. In this position, the baby will be able to see the same thing that you see, moving around the room or down the street. At the same time, be sure to tell about everything that you see, show the child various objects, family members, bring to everything that has a smell (with the exception of sharp and unpleasant odors). It is very useful to let the child touch objects of different texture, touching his handle or leg to their surface.

Very young children quickly get tired during such "walks" and fall asleep soundly, however, moderate loads will benefit the baby.

When the baby is a little older and is able to hold the head himself, you can carry him in your arms in the same position, but supporting only by the chest, as shown in the picture. Attention, the child should not sit on your arm, this will put undue stress on his spine! The hand only gently supports the child under the bottom, "insuring" the baby.

2. Upright position with an inclination forward. While supporting the baby by the legs and chest, tilt him forward slightly (the legs remain pressed against you). Such an exercise develops the muscles of the baby's back and neck (after all, in order not to lose sight, he will definitely try to raise his head). When the child is tired, his head will be on your wrist again. At first, you need to tilt the baby very slightly and gradually, as the child grows and gets stronger, increase the amplitude.

3. Carrying the child in his arms in the "on his side" position. If your child is tired of being carried upright, give him a break. Place the baby so that his side and head are firmly held on your hand, and with the other hand support the baby under the butt. This position is liked, as a rule, by both mom and baby. For mom - since the load on the arms is not too great, for the child - because he is resting, lying on his mother's arms, and at the same time retains an overview.

4. After feeding it is useful to carry the baby on the shoulder holding his head. It is enough to hold him in this position for about five minutes so that the air that has entered his stomach while sucking can escape. At the same time, it is so interesting for the baby to observe others from the height of your shoulder!

There is a favorite way for every mother and her baby to carry it in her arms, and it also brings invaluable benefits to the baby, at least giving him peace of mind and a sense of security. This material lists positions that are useful to use at least sometimes, babies like it and have a positive effect on their early development.

Carry the child in your arms when he and you want it, wear it the way you like it. Carry your baby in different positions to develop and show him the world. Do not be afraid to spoil the child - modern pediatricians believe that carrying it in your arms, at least until one year of age, can only benefit your baby!

The article uses illustrations from the book by Liesel Polinski "PEKiP. Play and movement. More than 100 educational games for children of the first year of life "

A person's attitude to life, to the reality surrounding him is one of the important characteristics of a personality. And the foundations of the worldview of any person are laid in the first years of life. For the correct development of a child, it is very important, in particular, to realize his own importance, which is ensured by the confidence that his parents need him. And the most important proof of the sincere love of loved ones for a baby is an immediate reaction to his desires.

Mental development of the newborn

The newborn basically just eats and sleeps. In the second and even more so the third month, periods of wakefulness enter the child's life, which increase more and more. The baby still does not know how to sit, but his desire to contemplate the world around him is very great, and the baby informs you about this by persistent "requests" to take him in your arms. The mental development of a newborn child is accompanied by the following very important processes:

• social adaptation - therefore, for a full, harmonious development, the baby needs communication with people);
• imprinting - imprinting in the memory of a baby of impressions and images perceived in the first minutes after the birth of the most important objects;
• emotional development: a small child especially needs positive emotions
• they stimulate the development of his psyche, while negative ones, on the contrary, inhibit;
• intellectual development: the child's huge need for new impressions should be satisfied; unsaturation in receiving new impressions (only overwork can stop this process);
• the need for more and more complex information

There is a very simple way that satisfies almost all of these requirements: TO TAKE A CHILD IN YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY.

Miraculous physical contact

Carrying a child in his arms contributes to the development of his tactile sensitivity (feelings of touch, touch). For a baby, these feelings are almost the main ones. This is evidenced, for example, by the early intrauterine (at 5-6 weeks of gestation) formation of tactile receptors (nerve cells that transmit information about touch and touch to the brain), which outstrips the development of all other sensory organs. Tactile receptors are not collected in one organ, like the eye or ear, but are scattered throughout the body, especially on the tips of the fingers and lips, least of all on the shoulders, hips and back. There are several types and types of such nerve cells. Some quickly transmit information about touch to the brain and turn off (for example, we quickly stop feeling the pressure of the watch strap on our wrist), others work slower, but they send signals to the brain for a long time, where they are processed. At the same time, your actions should begin with one thing - go up to the child and pick it up in your arms to change clothes, feed, rock, sing a lullaby (it does not matter at all whether you have an ear for music), etc. , the baby calms down, warms up, does not waste time and energy on screaming and crying, but begins to look closely and listen to everything that is happening around. Besides,

• Carrying on hands trains the vestibular apparatus (especially if the mother periodically walks in a circle, for example, around the table, while making smooth movements from side to side, up and down and back and forth).
• Observing the mother's articulation, listening to her, the child prepares for independent mastery of speech.
• The baby can catch the intonation of a voice familiar from the prenatal period of life, adopt the emotional state of the mother.
• In a young mother, anxiety decreases and her mood improves (which is especially important in the depressive state that is observed in some women after childbirth).
• Practical experience clearly demonstrates that premature babies catch up with their peers in development faster if they grow up, being constantly in close proximity to the mother, in her arms: even her breathing helps to stabilize the infant's respiratory rhythm.

Take it in your arms - indulge?

Is it possible to pamper your baby by often picking up your baby? If the child's needs are not ignored, they are not denied affection and tactile contact, then this does not mean that he is being pampered and poorly brought up. Love is not synonymous with bad parenting, especially when we are talking about a toddler who is only a few weeks old. There is an opinion that it is impossible to spoil a child up to 12 months - up to this age all his "whims" are justified by the needs, so an adult should indulge the baby in everything. And only when the baby reaches a year, parents should selectively treat his requests, based on what they are caused by. From this age, the baby can already be instilled with the concept that needs are not only for him, but also for the people around him. What Our Restraint Pours Into Rigid parenting practices, according to which taking a child in your arms means pampering him, ignore the baby's natural need for the constant presence of his mother (or the one who cares for him). While promoting the principle of early formation of "independence", they have significant negative features. First, a child who is deliberately excommunicated from his mother does not develop a trusting, kind attitude towards the world, and this will certainly have a negative impact on his adult life. Secondly, limiting bodily contact between mother and baby does not contribute to the emergence of mutual feelings between them. It is not surprising that the child in such cases is perceived as a hindrance to the usual way of life and ordinary affairs. And the baby constantly needs communication and his crying is a call to everyone, and first of all to his mother: "I'm hungry!", "I have a dirty diaper!", "It's hard for me to sleep!" Indeed, even in those cases when, it would seem, there are no reasons for crying, the baby can burst out with offended or angry crying - because he is not yet ready for loneliness, his biological connection with his mother is still too strong. Thirdly, it should be borne in mind that a strict attitude towards the child, when adults try not to show their feelings and emotions in relation to the child, is not a guarantee of a good upbringing of the baby and his further success. Of course, most often a young mother has a lot of chores around the house. Therefore, if she often takes the baby in her arms, she will have to sacrifice some deeds. In addition, carrying a child in your arms is also physically not very easy. In general, if you wish, there are many reasons for minimizing physical contact with a child. Here you need to prioritize and decide what is more important to you - the daily routine or the development of the child. If you want to properly deal with the child and at the same time not start everyday life, look for help-allies with whom you can do everything.

We hold the baby right

So, if you realized the importance of direct physical contact with the child and decided to put it into practice, you have only a little left to learn to carry the baby in your arms correctly. How to hold a child in your arms so as not to harm him? After all, a long stay of the crumbs in the wrong posture can cause the formation of postural defects and curvature of the spine in him in the future. The position of the baby in the arms of the mother (or another adult) primarily depends on his age, as well as on whether he will sleep or "walk" with his mother .. Up to 2-2.5 months (and sometimes longer) The baby's head must be supported, so in a horizontal position (face up), place the baby on your arm so that the back of the head rests on your elbow, the back rests on your forearm, and your hands should support the baby's butt and hips. You can put the baby on your forearm and belly. In this case, the baby's head should be in the bend of the elbow, and your hands will close on the crumbs' stomach, and one hand will pass between the legs of the toddler. If you want to hold the child in an upright position, for example, so that he regurgitates excess air, then support his head and back: put one of your palm on the back of the baby's head, with your forearm firmly press his body to you. With the other hand, fix the buttocks of the crumbs. Attention! In no case do not sit the child on your arm until he has confidently mastered the sitting skill, which occurs on average at the age of 6 months. From 2.5-3 months, it is already possible to carry the baby, turning his face away from you, holding him with one hand at chest level, with the other at hips.

How to lighten "your burden"

The baby grows, his body weight increases, and it becomes difficult to carry the baby in his arms for a long time (especially after 3 months of age, when the weight of the child reaches an average of 6 kg). Here, for a while, auxiliary devices for carrying children, such as a baby sling and a "kangaroo" backpack, can help you out. A baby sling is a modern modification of a tissue flap used to tie a baby to a mother in some Asian and African countries.) A baby sling provides close physical contact between mother and child and all the benefits of such closeness already listed. In addition, with him, if necessary, it is easier to breastfeed the baby, being on the street or in another public place, - a wide flap of fabric will hide from immodest glances; it is convenient to rock and lull the child. You can carry a baby in a rag from birth to one and a half years. It all depends on the weight of the baby and your physical capabilities. It is also very important to find the optimal position for the child and for the mother, which would provide both maximum comfort. The main positions of the baby in the baby sling are horizontal, with the support of the spine, and (for older children) raised upright or sitting, when the baby is tightly pulled to you by the fabric. The "kangaroo" backpack can be used only after the baby learns to confidently hold his head and his muscles get stronger. Backpacks with a hard back should be preferred. But you shouldn't get too carried away with a baby sling and a "kangaroo" backpack. Firstly, it is still more useful for the baby to lie on the hard mattress of the crib or stroller. Secondly, the child is unlikely to like sleeping while sitting in a backpack. And thirdly, a long-term presence of a child in the same position, which causes an uneven load on various parts of the spine, can provoke pathology of the musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is not recommended to keep the baby in the Baby Sling and "kangaroo" for more than 40 minutes a day. When the baby is a little older, you can practice the pose with the baby sitting on her mother's side, facing her. The advantages of this position: the mother has one hand free, and the child has an excellent view. If the mother is not recommended to take the baby in her arms for health reasons, then you can more often put him on your stomach, put him on your knees or entrust this honorable duty to the father. From time to time, you should leave the baby alone in the crib or playpen - you, too, get tired of excessive communication even with the person you like most. But at the same time, the mother should not disappear from the crumbs' field of view for a long time, Give the child the opportunity to independently admire or play with toys, feel the blanket, study their own fists ... This is also very important for the full development of the baby - it is unlikely that he will learn to crawl, and then walk, if all the time will be in my mother's arms. Natural weaning from hands The closer the age of one and a half to two years, the less often we carry a child in our arms. Children of this age more and more strive for independence, actively and tirelessly explore the world around them. But all the same, they will find time to comfortably sit on the lap of their parents, and tired of the long walk, they gladly climb up to their dad's "arms" or on the neck. At this age (as well as much later), they still need love and affection, attention and care, and they still need physical contact with their parents. Moreover, this is equally important for girls and boys. Fostering masculinity does not have to be accompanied by a lack of parental affection. A child of any gender and any age needs a kiss from his mother before bed and after waking up, in an affectionate and soothing hug. Of course, the upbringing of each child is a purely individual process. Already at an early age, the difference between babies is noticeable: some are happy to tinker with toys alone, others require the constant presence of the mother. This behavior is due to both the characteristics of the temperament, character of the baby, and the pedagogical skill (or mistakes) of the parents. Smile at your child, be attentive to him - this will allow you to feel each other better. The reward for your patience and love will be a happy, loving baby, and in the future your "tame" baby will be able to become a support for you and your own family.

What shouldn't adults do when communicating with a child?

• Constantly bother and squeeze the child, regardless of his condition and desire.
• Throwing the child up (often done by fathers and grandfathers), as you can drop the baby and injure him.
• Kiss the baby's face, especially in the first year of life, so as not to infect the baby with some kind of infection, such as herpes.

For nursing newborns or small, premature babies, the "kangaroo tactic" is especially good, when during the daytime sleep the baby is laid on the mother's chest (tummy down). In this case, a woman needs to get comfortable, take a semi-horizontal position in bed or on a sofa, placing two or three pillows under her back. In this position, the child is comfortable, cozy and can sleep much longer. Mom at this time can also take a nap or read a book.

Scientists claim

American scientists have found that touching the body contributes to a better formation of immunity, stimulates the central nervous system, the production of hormones, and even increases the level of hemoglobin in the human body. Psychologists have data that those children who were not allowed to cry in the first months of life, eliminated the causes of discomfort in time, subsequently grew calmer than those who were given the opportunity to "cry."

It is known that the level of psychomotor development of children who are constantly "on the mother" is higher than that of those of their peers whose bodily contact with the mother is limited (although this applies only to the first years of life). These are the conclusions reached by researchers who studied children in African countries, where babies from birth are on the mother's back, tied to her with a scarf or a piece of cloth. Moreover, mothers “feel” their children so well that they don’t even use diapers: at the right moment they simply take the child out of the flap, “plant” it and, after the child sends physiological needs, is placed back.

There is nothing more touching than a baby in the arms of loving parents. How to properly carry a child in your arms and avoid common mistakes that can darken these magical moments, we will tell you in our article.

In this article, you will learn:

On the forums, the question of how to carry an infant in their arms is very often discussed, while mothers take two diametrically opposite positions: some are sure that the first year of life a child should not get off his hands and the best way to achieve this is a sling, while others, on the contrary, do not accept a sling in any form and stand up for the freedom of mother and child. Even the term was invented "holding"- the art of carrying a baby in your arms. There is something to think about, isn't it?

But in fact, everything is much simpler: it does not matter at all whether it is a sling or a mother's hug. The most important- adhere to a few simple rules, and how the mother will do it technically is the tenth thing.

These principles are:

• Closeness to mom is a physiological need of a newborn;
• The age of the baby is a decisive factor;
• You can still spoil;
• That's right - only when it is good for the child, and for mom and dad.

Closeness to mom is a physiological need of a newborn

The fetus for 9 months was one with the mother, so when the baby is born, the only thing he wants is to feel the presence of close warm embraces again. Just as we miss home while on a trip, so the child in the first months of life misses the environment in which he was born and formed.

Hugs for a newborn are as vital as milk and dry nappies. Therefore, the mother should not hesitate to take the baby in her arms, press it to her heart, kiss, inhale its smell, apply skin to skin.

There is an especially acute need for parental hands in babies in the first half of their life, before the introduction of complementary foods.

Baby's age is a deciding factor

There are many ways of how to properly carry a child in your arms, but before you master new positions with your baby, you need to remember the following age restrictions:

• 1-3 months of life - good head support must be provided;
• Up to 2 months it is forbidden to lift a child by the armpits;
• Up to 6 months of age, positions in a sitting position with support on the baby's ass are prohibited;
• The child must not be lifted by the hands; if necessary, the hand is grasped together with the wrist - "grabbing a gymnast";
• It is forbidden to lift a child with one hand, no matter how light it is, with only two hands.

You can still spoil

You can already hear protest cries ... But let's look at the problem from the other side.

Most of the forums and books devoted to caring for babies share the opinion that even if you carry your baby in your arms 24 hours a day, it cannot be pampered. This is so and not so at the same time. It's all about the age of the child. This rule can be applied until the baby learns to roll over from back to tummy and back and thus travel.

As soon as the child begins to move in space, he needs to be given freedom. Mom’s tummy was warm and cozy, but the baby decided to be born, so here, no matter how good mother’s hugs are, you need to take steps to an independent life. Do not worry that the baby will not have enough love: hours of feeding, bathing, changing clothes, playing, lulling to sleep pass in close contact with a loving mom.

Parents need to learn to give their chick the opportunity to look out of the cozy nest. For a baby, there is nothing more pleasant than crawling a couple of centimeters on his own, getting tired and, having called his beloved mother, drown in her arms.

That's right - only when it's good for the child, and for mom and dad

Very often, the most responsible mothers believe that motherhood is it is self-sacrifice... Being a good mom means fully committing yourself to your baby. Therefore, strictly following the advice on caring for a newborn, they push aside their own interests, the desires of the husband, the needs of other family members. This is the wrong approach.

Right- this is when life goes on and plays with new colors together with a new person who has come to this world, and does not turn into a testing ground for patience for the whole family. Of course, with the appearance of the crumbs, some things lose their primary importance, but one should not forget that the baby, first of all, needs a happy mother. Therefore, it is not so important in what position to carry the child in your arms, as long as it brings joy.

Basic positions in mom's arms

There are several ways to properly carry a baby in your arms. Each of them is suitable for a certain age of the baby.

Suitable for all ages from the first days of life. May be uncomfortable for children over 3 months old due to the small viewing angle, but ideal for lulling to sleep.

Technique:

• the baby lies on the left hand bent at the elbow, the right hand supports him under the ass;
• in this case, the child's head is located directly on the elbow bend, and the back rests on the forearm;
• the left hand grasps the baby's chest and presses his arms to the body;
• the open hand of the right hand fixes the pelvis and lower back;
• the baby's legs are located on the fold of the right arm or, at an older age, the elbow folds under the baby's knees.

Technique:

• take the baby out of the crib with both hands;
• form the position "Cradle";
• slowly raising the elbow of the left hand, transfer the child's head to the left shoulder, continuing to hold it by the pelvis with the right hand;
• the left hand hand fixes the baby's head from the back of the head to the shoulder blades;
• the baby's body is well pressed against the mother's chest and abdomen;
• after 2 months of age, you can take the baby out of the crib with the "armpit" grip and immediately put it on the shoulder;

the head can not be fixed only after the baby starts to hold it confidently.

Not the most common position, it requires a special skill.

Technique:

• form a cradle position;
• slowly take the right elbow back, at the same time with the left hand move the baby's body to the side under the right hand;
• support the child's ass on the mother's thigh;
• move the right hand towards the baby's head so that it lies on the open palm;
• the right elbow presses the child's pelvis to the mother's thigh;
• the left hand can be released or supported by the child's head.

Frog position

Technique ("Frog" on the stomach):

• the child's legs are bent at the knees and hip joints, spread apart and pressed against the mother's stomach;
• the baby's ass must be below knee level;
• one hand (which is more convenient) firmly presses the back of the child in the lumbar region to the mother's belly, while the hand can support the opposite leg of the baby under the thigh from below;
• the free hand insures the position of the child in the area of ​​the shoulder blades or, at an older age, holds the baby by the handle.

Technique ("frog" on the thigh):

• the position of the legs is the same as that of the "frog" on the stomach;
• the baby sits on the mother's hip with divorced legs;
• if the child is sitting on the right thigh, then the right hand supports his back in the lumbar region, and the hand goes around the pelvis and forms a support from below for the opposite thigh;
• the second hand is usually free.

Position "From myself"