The bones of infants are flexible and not fully developed. In order to protect their spines, it is not advisable to carry them upright too early, as it may increase the spinal burden. However, novice parents often lack this knowledge. How can this situation be remedied?
The correct approach is to wait until the baby’s head can support itself, around four months, before attempting to carry them upright. Carrying them upright too early may disrupt the normal development of the baby’s bones, and may even lead to spinal deformities, affecting the child’s future posture.
As for the correct way to carry a baby:
1. Hand support method: Support the baby’s back, neck, and head with the right hand, while supporting the hips and waist with the left hand, suitable for lifting or placing the baby from the bed. 2. Arm-cradling method: The baby’s head lies in the bend of the left arm, the elbow supporting the head, the left hand and right hand supporting the back, waist, and legs respectively, the right arm wrapping around the baby’s body to support the legs, this is a commonly used carrying posture. 3. Avoid carrying them upright for extended periods of time: The newborn’s head is relatively large, significantly proportionate to the body, and when carried upright, all the weight is on the cervical vertebrae. Infants aged 1-2 months have not fully developed neck muscles and should avoid this position to prevent potential harm to the spine, even though such harm may not be easily noticeable at the time. 4. Control the duration of carrying: Out of love for their children, parents often carry them frequently, but this is not conducive to a baby growing naturally, in fact, it does more harm than good.
If an improper carrying posture has already occurred, it can be improved by attracting the baby’s attention, such as showing interesting items to guide them to adjust their line of sight, or trying gentle massage to help improve. If the situation does not improve, seek medical attention promptly and consult professional doctors, as they have extensive experience and methods to address such issues.
