The Right Way To Cuddle A Baby

It is always heart wrenching for a new mother when her newborn cries; there could be more reasons for the cry than hunger, being unwell or a nappy change. Probably your baby requires attachment processes as cuddling, rocking or singing.

While many mothers felt that cuddling combined with a rocking motion did the trick, there were others that were of the opinion that playing music or singing a lullaby helped to comfort the little one. However it was found that a minority of mothers preferred taking the baby out for a drive, others opting for a soother/dummy to reduce the tears.

Well cuddling of various types helped to calm and soothe a crying baby. You could use the standard cuddling method where you hold him/her in your arms with the head nestled near your neck and your arms encircle the baby completely and securely. You could calm the baby by swaying or moving your body while standing to provide a rhythmic movement. Simultaneously speak or sing softly to the child and repeatedly saying his/her name provides the baby ample opportunities to hear your voice. 

Keeping the baby close to you by putting him/her in a sling helps as the baby experiences a feeling of closeness to the mother/parent. It would also help to rock him/her. You could do this by holding the baby in the hand and walking him/her around or rocking together in a rocking chair. The same action can also be accomplished by rocking him/her in the pram or cradle.

Cuddling the baby can also be effectively done by swaddling; some babies are happy to be firmly wrapped in a cotton sheet as it gives them a comfortable feeling being wrapped in something warm and soft and being held firmly.

While some babies enjoy going out for a walk in the fresh air either in a sling or a pram, others enjoy going for a car drive in the neighborhood; however it is best to not make it a habit. Again some prefer to let the baby cry for some time as they soon go off to sleep.

A more close and affectionate way to cuddle is the skin-to-skin cuddling; this is accomplished by removing the clothes of the baby except the diaper and your clothes waist up. Lying on the bed with pillows to support your upper body, place your baby’s tummy on your chest with the baby’s head resting on either side. Drape a light blanket over both you and your baby ensuring that the blanket does not extend higher than the baby’s shoulders. Repeating this cuddling often helps regulate their body heat more efficiently and they stay calmer and happier.

Human babies are meant to be cuddled as they are fed breast milk that is low in protein every 2 to 3 hours; this represents the human baby’s reflex to cling and attach to the mother. Lastly cuddling the right way is definitely essential for the baby to be comfortable and happy; if things do not improve than consult a cranial osteopath. He will very gently manipulate the skull to correct the displacement of the cranial bones that could be causing discomfort. 

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