Handling the baby

Handling skills are developed over time and through experience.  Babies will differ in how they 'feel' to handle depending on their size, underlying muscle tone, tolerance for touch, movement and positional abilities.  Over time you will be able to observe and respond intuitively.

A suggestion for building up your 'handling database' is to hold typically developing babies as often as possible and in many different positions.  This might mean asking to hold your friends, colleagues, neighbours or friends of friend’s babies to build  handling experience. Note any variations in how they feel and anything the baby seems to like or dislike.

Refer to the GAPP: Safety in Children (Handling) for additional information and resources on this topic. This can be accessed through the Clinical Skills Development Service's website.