OK for newborns! How to carry someone on their side and recommended baby carriers
There are two ways to hold your baby: horizontally, which holds your baby almost horizontally, and vertically, which holds your baby upright.
Newborn babies cannot support the weight of their own heads and their necks become wobbly, so some moms and dads may wonder if it's okay to hold them vertically.
It is around 4 months that your baby will be able to sit upright and hold his head upright on his own. Until then, it is safe to hold your dog on your side while providing good neck and head support.
This time, we will introduce you to when you can start holding your baby sideways, the steps and precautions to take when holding your baby sideways, and the baby carrier that can also be used for sideways holding.
5 common questions about side-hugging
Even if you vaguely know that you should hold your baby next to you, there are many things you don't understand when the time comes. Here are some frequently asked questions about side-hugging:
- When can you start hugging me sideways?
- When is side hugging useful?
- How do you do it? side hug
- What are the precautions and tips for side-hugging?
- Can you hold me sideways using a baby carrier?
1. When can you start holding me sideways?
Side-carrying is possible immediately after birth. It can be said to be the first physical contact between mom, dad and baby.
A newborn baby has immature muscles and bones, and is very soft and squishy. Also, the body is small compared to the size and weight of the head, so it cannot be said that the balance is good. All new moms and dads are nervous when holding their baby for the first time, but holding the baby is also a form of communication that allows the baby and mom and dad to be close to each other, allowing them to feel each other's body temperature and see each other's faces. This is important as part of your baby's emotional education, so don't be too scared and try to actively hold your baby as needed.
2. When is side hugging useful?
The main occasions for side-hugging are when breastfeeding and putting your baby to sleep.
When feeding a baby, whether it's breast milk or a bottle, the baby is placed under the mother's breasts and placed on her back. It's exactly like a side-hugging position.
When you want to soothe a fussy baby or put him to sleep, it is effective to wrap your arms around him and hold him sideways, pat his body lightly, or gently rock him like a cradle. In addition to providing a sense of security by being in close contact with mom and dad, it also relaxes the child through gentle rhythmic stimulation.
3. How do you do it? side hug
First, gently lift the sleeping baby's head by placing your hand on the back of the baby's head. Slide your arm under it so that your elbow is at the back of your head, then gently hold your arm around your neck and upper body.
Next, put your other hand behind your knee and pick it up. The trick is to make a circle with your arms so your baby can fit completely inside.
If you hold your baby in a relaxed state with your shoulders relaxed, your baby will feel at ease.
4.What are the precautions and tips for side-hugging?
The most important thing to be careful about when holding your baby sideways is not to stretch out too straight. Ideally, your baby's back should be moderately rounded, the legs should be spread out in a natural M-shape, and the arms should be bent in a W-shape.
If a child's back, legs, and arms are stretched out, there is a risk that too much stress will be placed on the joints and muscles, which may have an undesirable effect on child development.
In particular, the arms and legs on the side that are in close contact with mom and dad's bodies tend to stretch, so you need to be careful.
Form a circle with your arms and use each elbow to support the back of your baby's head and the back of your knees. Your body will fit into the circle and your back will naturally round, creating an M-shaped position. If the ring is too large or too small, the baby's position will be distorted, so please adjust it to get the perfect fit.
Also, even if the baby is in the correct position for too long, the baby will get tired. Check your baby's condition frequently and be careful not to put too much stress on your baby.
5. Can you hold me sideways using a baby carrier?
There are special baby carriers that are specifically designed for horizontal carrying, but if you look at the trends among older moms and dads, it seems that many of them use baby slings that wrap their babies in cloth, or multi-functional baby carriers that can also be used for vertical carrying.
Slings are lightweight, compact, and inexpensive. On the other hand, since the shape is not fixed, it may be difficult to keep your baby in the ideal position until you get used to it. Additionally, because the structure is simple, even more attention must be paid to safety management such as fall prevention.
Multi-functional types are more expensive and bulkier than slings, but they have the advantage of being stable and being able to be carried vertically or on your back, so they can be used for long periods of time.
However, even if the baby can be carried sideways, there are some products that cannot be used with newborns, such as those that can be used from 3 months onwards, so be sure to check carefully before purchasing. 
Although it is surprisingly little known, the hip seat, which is used to place your baby's bottom when carrying or carrying your baby on your back, is also convenient for side-carrying. The weight of the baby can be carried not only by the arms but also by the upper body, which greatly reduces the burden on the mother and father.
BABY&Me's BELK-S is a set of a hip seat and a carrier part that wraps around the baby's body, and since it is removable, it can be used as a single hip seat. By switching the parts, it can be used for a long time from newborn babies to babies weighing up to 20 kg, so it is recommended.
