Picking up newborn..

Hi,

I saw a nurse pick up my newborn under his armpits when in hospital, but still supporting his head with her fingers. So I have been doing this when transitioning my new baby boy from his stroller etc, always making sure to support his head and he is now 5 weeks old. However my midwife has told me today that you should 'not' pick him up this way!! I am a little annoyed she didn't tell me earlier as I am sure she has seen me do this before.. now I'm paronoid (as this is my first) that I have caused him damage!

I have searched the web and can't see anything about picking them up under the armpits - does anyone know someone who has done this and caused their baby damage? Or has lifted their newborns in this way and not caused any damage?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

Paranoid new mum. 

Oh my gosh... cant believe Im seeing thread now!...I just got a "lecture" as to how to hold the baby...

I guess to summarize it , - ensure tht the baby's neck and head are well supported since they have no control over the same. The neck muscles are also weak n r in the developmental process.

Hence keeping in mind the above principle pick up the baby in any manner u feel comfortable n secure.

NB: The ideal way would be to put one hand under the head n the other under the baby's hip/butt n pick up...

Yep, I pick up my babies like that. Long as their head is supported I can't see a problem with it.

I am a mother/baby RN and have picked up hundreds of babies.  There is nothing wrong with the way you picked him up!  I usually grap them under the armpits and support the back of their neck with my fingers.  There is no need to touch or support the head- it is the neck that needs support.

Shame on your midwife for making you feel bad as a mother!  

I think everything is fine.  As long as his neck is supported you can pick him up anyway you want to!

Check out this link for more info... does not give input as to how to carry/hold the baby... but gives an insight as to which parts need to be supported.

 http://www.babycenter.in/baby/development/headcontrol/