HANDLING BABIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16751, 5 June 1922, Page 10

HANDLING BABIES.

Correct handling of a baby is not an inborn gift—it must be learnt. Wrong handling will cause baby much pain and discomfort and may even lead to physical injury. It is most important therefore, that all women and girls should know tlio right way to move baby about.

The right and only safe way of lifting up a tiny baby is to place tbo left arm well under the baby’s body so that the hand supports the bottom of the baby’s back and the little head ii resting safely on tlie curve of the arm Then grasp the upper part of th 3 baby’s legs gentlv but firmly with the right hand and baby can then be lifted with tlie maximum comfort and support. Tho' correct way to carry a young baby about is to support both the heal and shoulders in the curve of one arm holding the babv firmly just below the elbow. Tho other hand is placed over the baby’s clothes and holds him se curely by the loins. In this way baby feels safe and comfortable and cannot fall. It is quite usual to sec a woman carrying a baby with the little bead hanging back over ono arm, while the woman’s other hand lightly holds the clothes from underneath, so that tho baby’s sags down between her arms. This way is no£ only dangerous and uncomfortable for baby, but positively harmful by the strain it imposes on baby’s sort bones and muscles.

Many people persistently pat baby on the back, jog him up and down, and swav him ba* awards and forwards immediately after a meal by way of soothing him when troubled with wind or slight colic. This treatment, however, will probably make him worse, and if made a constant practice may easily cause considerable digestive trouble. The correct way to, sooth© baby in such a case is to support him in an upright position against the shoulder with one hand and rub the left side of his back with the other hand, his little stomach being pressed against your chest. Correct lifting and carrying of older children is equally important It is most dangerous to lift young children by the arms instead of under the arms, and to drag or swing the child by ono arm off a v©hielp or on to tlie pavement. In the same way children should never bo allowed to drag cacti other about by one arm or leg in play.