Newborn: When others want to hold or touch

When out and about, or when having visitors, other people often want to touch or hold a newborn. Some mothers may feel fiercely protective over sharing the touch of their baby as they are developing the parent-baby bond.

Choosing to allow people to touch or even hold a newborn is a personal choice, however there are some guidelines. These include making sure the person is not sick or in a position to spread infection, that they are clean and have washed their hands, that they know how to appropriately hold the newborn safely, and that the parents know the person touching or wanting to hold the newborn. There is nothing wrong in opting to say “No” for the safety and wellbeing of the newborn.

When another holds the newborn, it is advisable too not to do so for too long and to wait until the baby is about a month or two old.  At all times, the newborn should be protected from exposure to unnecessary germs, be allowed to absorb the mother and bond, and have support for their developing bodies and the actions of their limbs that they yet cannot control alone.

Caring for your newborn:

• Caring for your newborn
• What are dummies?
• Newborns and movement
• Burping your baby
• Playing with your newborn
• Caring for newborns with and without circumcision
• Baby hair loss
• Baby Massage
• Newborn Clothing: Dressing and body temperature
• Newborn and home safety
• Newborn: When others want to hold or touch
• Babies and pets
• Baby constipation
• Baby clothes
• What should my first aid kit contain?
• Taking a baby’s temperature
• Baby medicine

• Coping with your newborn
• Newborn: When to call a doctor?
• Baby hygiene
• Trimming baby nails
• Caring for babies’ bottoms
• Baby poo
• How to care for your newborn’s body
• Newborns and nappies
• Caring for your Baby’s Clothes
• Baby Milestones
• Baby first aid
• Common baby emergencies
• How to help a choking baby
• Baby vomiting
• Keeping your baby safe
• Baby Monitors
• Baby swimming