The way you hold your baby SAYS THIS about your parenting style

Remember the first time you held your baby in your arms? The moment of absolute bliss, when your hands shivered and you wondered whether you were holding the bundle of joy correctly or not? Holding a little one is not an easy task, there is a constant sub-conscious struggle of not hurting the baby in any way. But over a period of time parents develop their own style of holding the baby.

Did you know the way hold your baby says a lot about your parenting style as well?

Here is a list of positions that parents most commonly use to hold their child. Read on to know what does it say about them.

If you use one of your arms to support the baby’s head and use the other one to wrap it around your child’s back and hips, you love interacting with your child and talking to them as if they understand everything that you say.

You are someone who will be friendly with your child when he/she grows up. This position ensures maximum face-to-face interaction with your baby because it makes it easier for you to see your little bundle of joy.

A sling is a very useful and practical device which helps you hold and carry your child, without using your hands. It is especially helpful if you are multitasking. If you carry your baby like this, it means you are conscious of the way you are perceived by others and your comfort comes first. Even though you love being a parent, you don’t consider yourself a “hands-on” parent, literally.

It is also called ‘hello-world’ hold, this pose allows your inquisitive child to see what is happening around him or her. For this hold, you need to let your baby’s back rest against your chest and support their bottom. As a result, the baby will rest in your hands like he/she is sitting on a chair. If you hold your baby this way, you are someone who is open to your child not taking the conventional route in life. As a parent, you may not only support your child choices whole-heartedly but you may also go the extra mile to ensure they have all the options right in front of them.

If you hold your child on one side--precisely on your hip bone--and wrap your arm around them firmly, you are using the hip hold. Holding your baby this way gives you one free arm to do your own work. This means as much as you love being a parent, you have not given up on your individuality. You very much enjoy spending time with your baby, but at the same time, your work has not taken a backseat.

Rest your baby’s head on your shoulders and wrap one arm around the hips and use the other to support his/her neck and head. If you hold your baby like this, you are a protective parent, who wants to ensure nothing bad happens to their child. This position also indicates that you are constantly acting as a shield for your baby.

While it is a good thing that you are always ready to protect your baby, chances are that overdoing the same could turn you into a helicopter parent as your child grows up.

A helicopter parent is someone who constantly monitors his child’s life and doesn't let the kid experience the life his or her own way.

Here are some things you must keep in mind before holding any baby.

1. Try not to hold the baby if you're sick.

2. When holding a newborn, always support the baby’s head.

3. When climbing stairs, always hold the baby using both hands for extra safety.

4. Do not carry any hot beverage while you’re holding your little one.