The slow-motion hello

During these earliest months babies spend much of each day watching and listening to the people around them, and held close they can give equal attention to your face, your voice, your warmth and the way you are holding them. Arriving slowly gives them time to take in all four instead of all at once.

🛡️ Come into view from the front rather than appearing suddenly over them, and keep one hand under the head and neck whenever you lift or lower. Back off a step at the first sign of too much — a turn away, a frown, a stiffening — rather than leaning in to win them round.