Tips for handling

Watch the infant before you pick him/her up and take cues from how the parents hold the infant.  Ask if they have noticed any preferences/reactions when holding their baby in different positions?

Confident handling of an infant will take into account a number of factors including:

• How the infant moves
• Muscle tone
• Head control
• any structural issues/restrictions (e.g. contractures or bony differences)

As a general rule, it is useful to start handling with maximum support then grade it down as you become aware of the infant’s abilities (e.g. head control). Control in all of the “three girdles of movement”: the head/jaw, shoulders and hips will provide best support for infants with poor postural control.

Handling is also influenced by other parental factors such including:

• Parent’s own body shape;
• Previous experience as a parent or new parent and
• parental mental health status

Hospitalised infants may have special handling requirements including precautions surrounding access lines, oxygen and monitoring equipment. Check with nursing staff and parents about precautions before handling.