Parents often ask how to support their baby’s healthy development. And weirdly? It can start with how you pick them up.
The first three years are full of big leaps—and tiny details that make all the difference. One of the most overlooked is touch. Not just any touch—intentional touch. The kind that helps your baby feel safe in their body, in your arms, and eventually, in the world.
When I visited the Pikler House in Budapest, I discovered a baby-handling technique developed over decades of observation—one that builds real security. And it’s not rocket science, folks!
Picture this: Before you scoop up your little bundle of joy, stand in front of them like you’re about to ask them to dance. Make eye contact, let them know your moves, and then slip your hand under their head like you’re picking up a delicate soufflé. Scoop them up headfirst, put them down bottom first—it’s like a gentle elevator ride with a guaranteed smile at the end.
No fancy gear. No step-by-step diagram. Just you, your baby, and a surprisingly elegant little lift.
This isn’t about rules—it’s about relationship. The way you pick up your baby becomes one of the first ways you say: You’re safe. I see you. I’ve got you.
It may seem like a small gesture. But when you lift your baby with intention, they feel it.
And it stays with them.
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