Touching and holding your baby can help you to get to know them and find out what makes them feel comforted and reassured. Over time, you will get to know your baby and learn how they show you when they are feeling relaxed or uncomfortable.
There are different ways to hold your baby, including:
- comfort holding, this is sometimes called affective touch, positive touch or hand hug
- skin to skin, including Kangaroo Care
Comfort holding and touch
Some babies are too small or sick to be held out of the incubator. But you can still show them your love through comfort holding while they are lying in their incubator.
Comfort holding can be also called affective touch, positive touch or hand hug.
Comfort holding is when you touch your baby when your hands are still. This is different from stroking or massaging your baby when your hands are moving. Comfort holding can be more reassuring to your baby if stroking and massaging are too stimulating for them.
Comfort holding can help your baby to:
- feel reassured during tests and procedures
- settle if they are restless
- fall asleep
- be awake and responsive
Ask your baby’s healthcare team about comfort holding. You and the team can watch for signs from your baby, so you can understand what kind of touch comforts your baby.
Tips for comfort holding
Reduce risk of passing on infection to your baby by:
- removing any watches and jewellery
- keeping your fingernails clean and short
- pulling your sleeves up to the elbows
- washing your hands and lower arms
To keep your baby warm make sure that:
- your hands are warm before touching your baby
- there is a layer of fabric between you such as a hat, vest or blanket
To help your baby to feel relaxed:
- speak to them so they are aware of your presence before you touch them
- cradle one or both hands around your baby’s feet, head or body and keep them still
- watch for signs that tell you that your baby is relaxed
You can continue for as long as you are both comfortable. When you finish comfort holding, move your hands away from your baby very slowly.
Skin to skin and Kangaroo Care
Skin to skin and Kangaroo Care are when your baby is placed against your chest. There is contact between your baby and your skin.
If you are breastfeeding, it can help you produce milk (lactation). And it can help your baby get used to breastfeeding.
Wider benefits of skin to skin and kangaroo care
Some of the benefits to your baby include:
- the ability to maintain a steady internal body temperature (thermoregulation)
- improved feeding
- improved sleep
- regulation of their heartrate
