How To Pick Up A Baby Under The Arms Safely?

Picking up a baby under the arms is a common way to lift an infant, but doing it incorrectly can strain their neck, back, or shoulders. The safe method is to support the baby’s head and neck with one hand while placing your other hand under their bottom, then lift with your legs, keeping the baby close to your chest. Never lift a baby by the arms alone, as their joints are not developed enough to handle the pull of their own body weight.

Why Is Lifting a Baby Under the Arms Risky?

Infants have immature musculoskeletal systems. Their ligaments are loose, and their shoulder joints are not fully formed. When you lift a baby by the arms, the full weight of their body pulls downward on those fragile joints.

This can cause a condition called nursemaid’s elbow, where the radius bone slips out of the elbow joint. It can also strain the shoulder or neck muscles. A baby’s head is also heavy relative to their body, making up about a quarter of their total weight. Without support, the head can flop backward, straining the neck.

This risk is highest in the first few months but remains relevant until the child has better muscle control, typically around 6 months. Even then, lifting by the arms is not recommended.

What Is the Correct Way to Pick Up a Baby?

The safest technique involves three steps: prepare, support, and lift.

First, tell the baby what you are doing. A calm voice reduces startle reflexes, which can make the baby stiffen or jerk. Slide one hand under the baby’s head and neck, cradling the skull. Place your other hand under their bottom.

Keep the baby’s back straight and supported against your forearm. Pull the baby close to your chest before lifting. Then, use your legs to stand, not your back. This protects both you and the baby.

When you hold the baby, their head should rest against your chest or in the crook of your elbow. Their knees should be bent and their hips slightly apart. This position mimics the natural fetal curl and supports healthy hip development.

How To Pick Up a Baby Under the Arms Safely: The Modified Technique

There are times when you genuinely need to lift from under the arms, such as moving a baby from a car seat or a high chair. In these cases, you can modify the technique to reduce risk.

Place both hands under the baby’s armpits, with your thumbs on their chest and your fingers wrapped around their back. Before lifting, tilt the baby slightly backward so their head rests against your forearm or chest. This prevents the head from flopping forward.

Keep the baby’s arms extended straight out to the sides, not raised above their head. Lifting with the arms raised puts unnecessary strain on the shoulder joints. Lift slowly and smoothly, keeping the baby close to your body.

This modified grip works best for babies who already have good head control, usually around 4 to 6 months. For younger infants, always use the full head-and-bottom support method instead.

What Mistakes Should You Avoid?

Several common lifting mistakes can cause injury. Avoid lifting a baby by the wrists or forearms. Avoid swinging a baby by the arms as a game. Avoid pulling a baby up from a lying position by their hands.

Never lift a baby with one hand under their armpit. This leaves the head unsupported and puts all the weight on one shoulder joint. Even if the baby seems strong, their joints are still developing.

Do not lift a baby while you are twisted or reaching. Always bring the baby close to your body before lifting. Reaching forward while lifting puts strain on your lower back and reduces your control over the baby.

Also, avoid lifting a baby right after they have eaten. The pressure on their stomach can cause reflux or spitting up. Wait at least 20 to 30 minutes after feeding before lifting or playing.

When Can You Start Lifting a Baby Under the Arms?

There is no exact age when lifting under the arms becomes completely safe. Each baby develops at their own pace. However, most babies develop sufficient head and neck control between 4 and 6 months.

Signs that a baby has good head control include holding their head steady when sitting with support and lifting their head when lying on their stomach. Even with these signs, you should still support the head during lifts until the baby is at least 6 months old.

After 6 months, you can use the under-arm grip more confidently, but always keep the head supported against your body. Continue using the full support method whenever you are unsure.

How Does This Affect a Baby’s Development?

Proper lifting supports healthy physical development. It protects the joints and muscles that the baby will use for crawling, sitting, and walking. It also builds trust. Babies who are handled gently and predictably develop a stronger sense of security.

Rough handling, including lifting by the arms, can cause pain and fear. A baby who experiences pain during lifting may become wary of being held. This can affect bonding and the parent-child relationship.

There is also a neurological component. The vestibular system, which controls balance, is sensitive to how a baby is moved. Smooth, supported lifts help this system develop normally. Jerky or unsupported lifts can overstimulate it, causing fussiness or discomfort.

What If You Have Already Lifted a Baby by the Arms?

One or two accidental lifts by the arms rarely cause lasting harm. The body is resilient, and babies recover quickly from minor strain. Watch for signs of discomfort, such as crying when the arm is moved or refusing to use the arm.

If a baby cries persistently after being lifted by the arms, or if they hold one arm limp against their body, see a doctor. This could indicate nursemaid’s elbow or a minor ligament strain. These conditions are treatable and usually resolve quickly with proper care.

Do not attempt to pop the joint back into place yourself. This requires a medical professional who can confirm the diagnosis and perform the correct maneuver.

What About Car Seats and High Chairs?

Car seats and high chairs present a specific challenge because the baby is strapped in. To remove a baby safely, first release the harness completely. Then use the full support method, sliding one hand under the head and neck and the other under the bottom.

Do not lift a baby out of a car seat by the harness straps. The straps are not designed for lifting and can dig into the baby’s shoulders. This can cause bruising and strain.

For high chairs, lower the tray first and move it out of the way. Then reach in with both hands and support the baby fully before lifting. Never pull the baby out by one arm while they are still seated.

What Do the Experts Recommend?

Pediatric organizations and child development specialists consistently recommend supporting the head and neck during all lifts in the first 6 months. The under-arm grip is considered acceptable only for brief, controlled lifts in older infants with established head control.

Research on baby handling consistently shows that supported lifts reduce the risk of injury and promote calm behavior. There is no evidence that lifting a baby under the arms offers any developmental benefit over the supported method.

Some cultures traditionally carry babies by the arms, but this practice is not supported by modern medical evidence. The anatomical risks are well documented, and the supported method is universally recommended by pediatric professionals.