Years ago, I remember watching a friend carry his infant in what seemed a precarious position, tucked upon one arm, and thinking I’d never be comfortable enough with a newborn to replicate the move. But turns out Veronika really enjoys this little variation on being carried, and chances are as a parent you’ll have fun switching up your baby’s view!

Lie your baby on their tummy/side on your arm, with their head cradled protectively in your hand.

You can see why the position is likened to a leopard on a tree branch!

It’s a fun way to walk around the house and give your newborn a waist-high view.

Because the position puts some pressure on the tummy, it’s also good for when Veronika is feeling some discomfort after nursing. So give it a try! Take a walk around the house like this as today’s activity, and you’ll both feel like you’ve tried something novel.

What’s your favorite way to carry your baby? Please share in the comments!

Here’s a cute riff on the black and white pictures that I’ve been showing Veronika from books – draw your own smiley face in sharp black and white contrast!

Babies love faces, and respond so automatically to human images at this age. All you need is a piece of white paper and a black marker – don’t worry, your newborn won’t critique your art skills! I drew Veronika these silly faces with hair and big smiles.

As well as a more simple smiley face.

I also added a checkerboard pattern, bulls-eye, and diagonal lines to pieces of white paper.

These paper drawings had an advantage over books since I could tape them around her bassinet and leave them thus without worrying about a book toppling and bumping her on the head!