The technique, which Dr. Hamilton calls "The Hold," consists of four steps:
- Pick up the baby and fold his arms snuggly across his chest.
- Secure the baby’s arms with your hand after they’re folded. That hand also supports the baby’s chin.
- Gently hold the baby’s bottom with your dominant hand. Use the fleshy part of your hand, not your fingers, to ensure a secure hold.
- Position the baby at a 45-degree angle and gently rock him. The motion can be up and down, or you can try shaking the baby’s bottom. The key is to make the sequence smooth and avoid jerky movements. The angle is important because it helps you keep control of your baby.
That’s it. The results are quick and wonderful in the video, as demonstrated on babies who are fussy after receiving a shot. They calm down in moments.
Use the technique on babies up to 2 or 3 months old. After that, they become too heavy to be held in this position.