Practical advice for everyday living and working

Lifting and Feeding Techniques for Infants

Lifting, carrying and feeding young children places stress upon your hands, especially on your thumb and wrist area.
The following suggestions may be helpful:

  • Scoop your baby with your thumb and wrist relaxed when picking them up from a car seat or cot. Keep a wide base of support and keep your child close to your body.
  • Avoid long periods of sustained holding or gripping. Use a bouncer or play-mat instead.
  • Watch the position of your thumbs when feeding – rest the babies head in the palm of your hand with your thumbs relaxed. Use a pillow for support.  
  • Change your feeding position regularly.
  • When feeding hold your babies head with the palm of your hand, keep your wrist straight and thumb relaxed.
  • If expressing milk, use an electric pump.
  • Carry your baby close to you; use a sling or a pouch.
  • When driving or pushing a pram, keep your thumb next to your index finger (and not sticking out to the side).
  • Put the car seat/capsule close to the passenger door for easier lifting.

How to lift an infant
How not to lift an infant
Infant holding technique
Infant holding technique

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Acute pain is when the body is working to heal structural tissue damage. Everything is done to ensure structural and mechanical integrity if maximised of the injured tissues.

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The body naturally goes through a process to heal injuries, however if not supported to enable rest the injury can continue to happening and it takes a much longer time to heal.

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Massage helps to remove these chemicals by improving the blood supply to the injured area so healthy nutrients are supplied to the area so healing is faster.