From an early age, your baby needs closeness and comfort as well as food, warmth, and sleep. To begin with you will probably feel quite nervous about handling and cuddling him: your hands seem so clumsy, his limbs so floppy, his head and neck so fragile.

Picking your baby up

When your baby is lying on her back, slide one hand underneath your baby's neck and head and support her back and bottom with your other arm. Life her gently and slowly, so that her body is supported and her head can't loll back. Carefully transfer her head to the crook of your elbow or your shoulder, so it is well supported. Be careful that his head doesn't loll back. `

Putting Your Baby down

Put one hand underneath her head and neck, then hold her under the bottom with the other. Lower her slowly, gently supporting her until the pad or mattress is taking her weight.

Slide your nearest hand out from under her bottom. Use this hand to lift her head a little so you can slide out your other hand, and lower her head down gently. Don't let her head fall back on to the surface, or jerk your arm out quickly.

Holding your new born baby against your shoulder

Help upright like that this, your baby feels secure. Take her weight with one hand under her bottom, and support her head with the other hand.