DN not holding baby properly?

[achillea]

She tucks baby under her arm leaving legs dangling. It makes me wince when I see it but yesterday I saw her mother holding baby the same way. Is it safe to do this? Is the ribcage not crushed? It makes me wince and I have corrected DN by telling her that she must support under baby's bottom or turn baby round and hold her on the hip but her mother also holds her like this. They are from Eastern Europe and I am now thinking it's a cultural thing but is it?

How old is the baby? I do it with my rascal....but he is 14 mo and only for short periods of time. For example rescuing him from top of slide, climbing frame or certain death situations!! Lol . [Grin]

How old is the baby?

I carry dd like this sometimes (9 months) - not for long though, just if I am in a rush. She's fine, not being squashed. Wouldn't hold a newborn like that though.

I carry DD3 like that. She's 11 weeks old.

I think people in Eastern Europe have been having babies for generations.

There are many ways to safely hold a baby, I'm sure all is well and really think you should back off.

I think it's fine - not your baby, not your call.

I've had 4 children and have 8 grandchildren, the youngest who is 4 months old. I've held all of them like this from a few months old because they love to see what's going on around them.

I've done that from birth, using my other arm to support the baby's neck, as my hands don't work, with full blessing of all medical people. Was advised to hold ds for breastfeeding 'like a pair of bagpipes' under one arm, which worked.

I'm sure if the baby would let everyone know if it's ribs were being crushed

The baby is now 5 months old, but has been carried like that since newborn. Her bottom wasn't supported at all, she's kind of hanging. It's not my call, but everyone I talk to that has seen it says it makes them wince and feel uncomfortable. This is also the first time I've seen anyone holding a baby like this, hence asking whether it's a cultural thing that I'm not aware of.

I often hold DS2 like this as he likes to face outwards as I walk with him so he can nose about. He's 8 months though, not sure he would have liked it as a young baby as his head wouldn't have been supported but if a baby isn't comfortable or isn't feeling secure they will be the first to let you know! I don't think it's cultural, just different babies like different things. DS1 would only be held up right looking over my left shoulder, never ever let me cradle him or even let him look over my right shoulder. They all let you know what they do or don't like so try not to worry.

So, she has been holding the baby like that for five months, and you're wondering if it's ribcage is "crushed"? No, don't think so!

" I have corrected DN by telling her that she must ... ". Wow, bet she loves having you around.

If the baby's legs are dangling presumably it's face-forward/down. Therefore its bottom and head don't need to be supported - it's only when they're falling backwards that you need to provide support. The spine curls forward quite happily, it's backwards that's a problem.