Why You Should Hold Your Baby In Your Arms

Of course, you are tired of hearing everywhere that you should not lift your child when he cries because he will “get used to your arms”. It is far from reality. You should hold your baby in your arms. We explain why in this article.

Newborns must be carried in their parents’ arms. In fact, there are still many indigenous peoples who would never consider divorcing their children.

They wear them all day, even if they perform other activities, such as working in the fields.

Our society was once so, too, until the advent of prams and other gadgets developed by our consumption-oriented, capitalist world.

Strollers, highchairs and other aids can make our daily tasks much easier.

But just as with anything that is done in abundance, it can disrupt the contact we should have with our children. It can eventually lead to more complications than benefits.

As part of their natural development , babies go through a phase where their favorite place is in their mothers’ arms. As is the case with their intellectual and physical development, genuine care in this phase can bring enormous benefits.

Our natural and maternal instinct urges us to hold our babies in our arms.

But we are sometimes forced to listen to other mothers, such as grandparents, who say that it is a mistake that the baby will then “get used to your arms” and cry just for you to hug it.

It’s crying because it needs you – you’re its mother. It wants you to rock it, kiss it, hug it… What’s wrong with that?

Babies who are in their mothers’ arms are happy babies. They cry less, protest less, eat more often when they have access to their mother’s breasts and sleep without problems.

This is actually their natural position, this is where they feel comfortable and safe. After being in the mother’s womb for 9 months, they must be as close to her as possible.

They have become accustomed to hearing her heart. That’s why they relax when they get close to her; they remember how it felt inside the womb.

Born into a new world, they know nothing; they need to get used to the new rhythm and that’s why they need their mothers. Your embrace is an emotional need for your baby.

It is an embrace, affection, a security in a time of crisis. In short, it is a resting place. Holding your baby in your arms is also the best way to strengthen the bond between you.

Skin to skin

Skin contact consists of placing newborns on their mothers’ naked breasts immediately after delivery. There is scientific evidence to support the important benefits in both the long and short term.

After giving birth, babies are in a special state where they are awake, paying attention to what is happening around them, with their eyes open. They have a strong sense of smell and have active reflexes.

It is imperative to acknowledge the importance of the moment. It lasts only the first two hours, after which a phase of lethargy begins.

During the first contact between mother and child, they observe each other, smell and touch; it really is an unforgettable experience.

The smell of the mother is very important because the baby’s vision during the first months is still deficient. It recognizes its mother through her smell and her voice.

This first skin contact is becoming more common in all Swedish hospitals. This allows babies to adapt to life outside the womb and maintain body temperature, which they cannot do on their own.

It also reduces the time they spend crying, strengthens the bond between mother and child and facilitates breastfeeding. The baby instinctively searches for the nipple to initiate the first feeding.

In other words, from the moment it leaves the womb, you have to hold your baby in your arms in order for it to adapt to the world.

The father’s task is obviously also necessary. It is true that fathers sometimes feel insecure when it is their first child.

They observe how the mother rocks, cuddles and holds the baby in her arms. But when the child needs something, the fathers can also offer their hugs.

The baby carrier

There are many things on the market that help us carry our babies close to our breasts while keeping our arms free. For dads, it can be very useful. The baby may fall asleep in the harness while you do something else (unless it is hungry).

It will smell you, look at you and move you, and it strengthens the bond between parent and child.

Baby carriers are available in several different models, so take the time to find one that suits you and your baby and the activities you plan to perform together.

Additional benefits of scientifically proven baby carriers:

• Less trauma when adapting to life outside the womb
• Allows synchronization with the mother
• Facilitates breastfeeding
• Stimulates the baby’s digestion
• Provides better rest
• Safety for the mother
• Allows parents to perform other tasks
• Helps to strengthen bonds

The consequences of not holding your baby in your arms often enough…

Not holding your baby in your arms and instead letting it cry will have the following consequences for it:

• Stress
• Anxiety
• Uncertainty
• Lack of trust
• Low self-esteem and low self-esteem
• Individualism
• Loneliness

The arms of the mother and father have a purpose; our children need them. Do not hesitate to hold your baby in your arms when it needs you.