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AIBU?

AIBU to expect nursery not to pick baby up by upper arms ?

27 replies

rosieagray · 28/06/2013 17:53

New to nursery
When I arrive to pick up on two occasion I have seen DS hoicked out of seat or bouncer by gripping underneath/around the upper arms? Dont like how it looks and would rather they pick up with hands round his body. I dont know if I am being oversensitive cause I have shoulder probs...

OP posts:
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Alisvolatpropiis · 28/06/2013 17:57

Isn't that the normal way to pick up babies/toddlers? Confused

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evertonmint · 28/06/2013 17:57

YANBU but I think it depends a little how they are doing it - if they are pulling his arms up above his head so his weight is dangling from his arms then I'd be inclined to say something as that could cause shoulder problems and isn't particularly nurturing. If it is more that they are lifting him by his arms which are by his side or out at right angles and are easier to get a grip on than his body, then I'd be less worried. I do this sometimes with my child if it's the best way to get a grip, but would never pull her up dangling all her body weight from her arms IYSWIM. But I always pick up with hands round body by preference as that seems a lot more nurturing and comfortable for the baby.

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littleblackno · 28/06/2013 17:57

How else do you pick babies up? I think you are being over sensitive tbh. I assume they are not being roughly thrown about, but picked up to be cuddled/ handed over etc.

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CamelBalls · 28/06/2013 17:57

Yabu
If they are doing it gently and supporting his head, it's fine.
How old is he?

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Alisvolatpropiis · 28/06/2013 17:57

Under the arms I mean,as in hands in child's armpits?

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derektheladyhamster · 28/06/2013 17:59

Gosh I think I've been doing it wrong, as I think that's how I picked my babies up Blush

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littleblackno · 28/06/2013 17:59

Sorry mis-read, didn't realise they were grabbing his actual arms. Although I agree with everton, probably the easiest way to get hold on them sometimes.

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Jsa1980 · 28/06/2013 18:00

Um that's how I pick up my 10 week old (he has good neck control). got me worried now.

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AmyFarrahFowlerCooper · 28/06/2013 18:02

Do you mean like around his arms rather than armpits? If you do, YANBU. My mum used to pick dd up like that and it looked painful!

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LilacPeony · 28/06/2013 18:05

It's fine to put your hands under their arms (armpits) to pick them up i think, but I assume the OP means picking them up lower down the arms which i wouldnt like either. I've also seen people pick a small child up roughly by one arm which i think look horrible.

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NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 28/06/2013 18:06

OP is confusing. Underneath/around the arms is not clear but I assume it means under his armpits.

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purrpurr · 28/06/2013 18:06

Wow, that's how I pick my baby up. Uh oh.

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lougle · 28/06/2013 18:10

I'm not following. There's nothing wrong with that at all. In fact, for a young baby, it allows you to support the head at the same time.

Thumb on topside of upper arm, 4th and 5th finger on bottom side of upper arm, 2nd and 3rd finger behind neck. Job done.

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Jsa1980 · 28/06/2013 18:11

Think we need some clarification. Surely you could pull their arms out of their sockets if you picked them up by their actual arms.

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orangepudding · 28/06/2013 18:14
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StealthPolarBear · 28/06/2013 18:14

I think the op means around the upper arms, sort of where a T shirt would end. And no, that's not good.

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NotYouNaanBread · 28/06/2013 18:14

You couldn't pick dd1 up like that, for some reason, but I pick DD2 up like that all the time, so maybe the baby determines whether or not it's okay?

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lougle · 28/06/2013 18:15

If you were raising their arms above their heads and letting their whole body weight hang from them, possibly.

The method I described is one where the baby's arm is by their side. So in effect you are putting your hands either side of their trunk, it just happens to be that your grip is on their arms.

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Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 28/06/2013 18:18

I think OP mean picking up baby by the arms - not under the arms. In that case YANBU at all because the baby's shoulder joints could be dislocated.

I would speak up.

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Zoomania · 28/06/2013 18:26

I know what you mean Rosie ...I have had exactly the same worry watching in my dd nursery as she has been settling in. How on earth to say something?....

They were lifting the 1-2 yr olds up standing behind them and gripping round the upper arms so their arms went out to right angles. Not under the arm pits/round chest as I would :(

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libertine73 · 28/06/2013 18:29

There's no reason not to pick them up from under their armpits, I would definitely say something if they are putting all the weight on their arms :(

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wickedwithofthenorth · 28/06/2013 18:32

YANBU That's a disaplinary offence in my nursery! The manager drums it into every new member of staff and they have to pass a manual handling induction before working with the none walking children.
Handeling a baby in that way as a one off or repeatedly creates a small risk of dislocating a child's shoulder. Parents can handle their children how they deem best but proffessionals should do it in the safest possiable way.
There is also a policy that dictates how to safely hold a child's hand as 20 plus years ago a child fell holding an adult's hand and dislocated their shoulder.

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Helpforu · 05/04/2020 18:25

Picking a child up by the upper arm with your hands wrapped around the arm can cause or can lead up to extensive damage there is a vital nerve there and it is called the medial cutaneous nerve.
The medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm, also known as the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, is a branch of the medial cord of the brachial plexus and supplies the anterior and medial aspects of the forearm as far distal as the wrist.
If this nerve is extensively damaged you can cause lack of range of motion throughout the arm...

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Summersunandoranges · 05/04/2020 18:47

I think the OP means above the elbow but below the shoulder and not under arm pits.

No I would not like that. There is no support on shoulder joint and can leave bruising

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