A young baby needs constant picking up and carrying, which should be done as gently and smoothly as possible.
Though a baby is usually more robust than you think, never shake or handle your baby, stay in close body contact, make reassuring noises and support his head at all times.
Your young baby will invariably be placed on his back for sleeping and nappy changing, so, as a result, you usually need to lift him from a face-up position.
If your baby is sleeping it is a good idea to rouse him gently before lifting.
Until you become practised at lifting, the motion may seem sudden and startling, which can cause him to cry. Talk to your baby softly or gently stroke his cheek as you prepare to pick him up.
To make it easy on your back, always bend down close to your baby before easing him up.
1. Support his neck and bottom
Lean in close to your baby and slide one hand under his head and neck and the other beneath his bottom.
You can approach from the side or from between his legs.
A few calm words from you will reassure him and give him a sense of security.
2. Gently begin to lift
Still leaning well forward, take your baby's weight in your hands, making sure his head is well cuddled.
Talk to him and establish eye contact as you raise him smoothly from the surface.
3. Bring him to chest level
Assume a more upright position and, turning your baby's body so that it is parallel to yours, bring him towards your chest.
Try to keep his head raised slightly above the level of the rest of his body.
4. Rest him in the crook of your arm
As you bring him close to your chest, slide the hand supporting his bottom up to support his head as well.
Bend your other arm across your body so that you can support his head in the crook of your elbow and his body along the length of this arm.
Use your other hand for extra support.
5. The Moro reflex
If your baby starts to feel insecure he may exhibit the Moro reflex.
This is characterised by your baby flinging out his arms and legs and throwing his head back and crying.
It commonly occurs when your baby experiences a sudden change of position or when he senses he is falling.
Doctors interpret the Moro reflex as an unconscious attempt by your baby to regain his balance.
There is a similar reflex known as the startle reflex.
6. The wrong way to pick him up
When you support a young baby's neck, make sure you keep his head in line with the rest of his body.
Don't raise his head further back than the rest of his body or press too hard on his neck - you may restrict his breathing.
7. Your older baby
By about six months of age your baby should become quite adept at rolling from his back on to his front.
So, even if you lay him down on his back, he may turn over and you will have to pick him up later from a face-down position.
By this age, too, he also will have mastered the skill of raising his head and chest off a surface.
You might like to put him in a face-down position to enable him to further strengthen his neck muscles.
Playing airplanes - stretching out your arms and getting him to copy you - can be fun for both of you.
8. Putting your baby down
Your baby enjoys the physical sensation of being held in your arms and would happily spend all day like this.
However, this is rarely possible.
You certainly need to put your baby down in order to change him or to put him into his cot.
Put your baby down in a relaxed and confident manner.
Talk to him all the while so he doesn't sense anything negative or feel abandoned.
Research has shown that putting a baby to sleep on his back can significantly cut his risk of falling victim to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) so, during the first three months, you should always put your baby down on his back.
9. Dummies
Because it can soothe an unsettled baby, a dummy can be a lifesaver to a harried parent.