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Picking up a newborn baby

Take care around the soft fontanelles on baby's head.

Take care with your newborn’s head, especially around the fontanelles. Always support your newborn’s head and neck.

Support her head and neck.

To pick up baby, slide one hand under baby’s head and neck and the other hand under their bottom. Bend your knees to protect your back.

When picking up, support her head and bottom with your hands.

Once you’ve got a good hold, scoop up your baby and bring baby close to your chest as you straighten your legs again.

Holding a baby and cradling a baby

Slide your hand from her bottom up to support her neck.

Make sure your baby’s head is resting against your chest. Slide your hand up from baby’s bottom to support their neck.

Move baby's head to the crook of your arm, supporting her neck.

Gently move your baby’s head to the crook of your arm, still supporting baby’s neck. Place your other hand under baby’s bottom.

Place your other hand under her bottom.

Using the cradle hold lets you look at your baby. You can smile and talk to baby.

Shoulder hold and safety tips

Rest baby on your chest and shoulder, supporting her head, neck and bottom.

Shoulder hold: rest baby on your chest and shoulder, supporting baby’s head and neck with your hand. Place your other hand under baby’s bottom.

Never hold hot drinks or cook while holding your baby.

Keep your baby safe: never hold hot drinks or cook while you’re holding baby. Always hold baby securely when going up or down steps.

Hold him securely up and down stairs.

Help children and older people if they want to hold your baby. Ask them to sit down, then gently place baby in their cradled arms.

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Raising Children Network is supported by the Australian Government. Member organisations are the Parenting Research Centre and the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute with The Royal Children’s Hospital Centre for Community Child Health.

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