I work in WIC with many Hispanic mothers. The vast majority of them believe that holding a baby too much or picking him up when he cries is something that is almost taboo, because the mothers don't want the baby to get used to being in arms and to become too clingy and spoiled. 

So, I came up with the following response that you might find useful in your practice, too. 

I say: "You feed your baby when he cries because he is hungry, right?" 
Mother: "Yes, of course I do."
I: "Why would you do that? Wouldn't it spoil him every time you feed him when he is hungry?"
Mother: "Well... No, I guess."
I: "Then why would holding him when he needs holding spoil him? What's the difference?"

Larisa Walk, RD, IBCLC

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