Kathy's statement below about "rounding" a baby to diminish the arching 
brings to mind another carry that will break the pattern of hyperextension in high 
tone babies.  Creating hip flexion (what rounding in sling and wrapping baby's 
lower body around mom does, too) by carrying baby on ones arm, and grasping 
one little thigh while bending the leg toward the hip; this creates counter 
flexion and breaks the pattern of muscle extension.  It's hard to explain in 
words, but baby is lying on the arm of adult on her back and her outer leg is 
grasped in the same hand as holding arm at the thigh and gently pushed back a bit. 
 I think it's also a natural thing to grasp baby's thigh when holding, just 
for added safety should baby suddenly arch or lunge forward.

I've showed this to parents as both a way to carry baby so infants muscles 
aren't often in extension and as a way to break the hyperextension so 
breastfeeding can proceed either in position Kathy described or with baby being held in 
sitting position, which also provides hip flexion.  An OT pointed this out to 
me some time ago and said that both hips don't necessarily need to be bent, 
tho can be.  Creating hip flexion on one side is sufficient.

"The old edition of the BAB suggested wearing them in a sling with their 
backs rounded. Or trying to breastfeed in the football/clutch position 
with the back rounded. I find that the cradle hold works if you stretch 
the baby's body around moms rib cage rather than allowing it to be out 
and away from mom's body."

Barbara Latterner, BSN, RN, IBCLC





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