Who is considered the best person to hold a swaddled infant during a procedure?

The best person to hold a swaddled infant during a procedure is the child's parent. This choice is rooted in the emotional comfort and sense of security that the presence of a parent provides to the infant. Holding a swaddled infant can help to calm them during potentially stressful experiences, such as medical procedures, because the familiarity and bond established between the parent and child can significantly reduce anxiety for the baby.

Parents are typically attuned to their child's needs, recognizing non-verbal cues and behaviors that signify comfort or distress. By being the one to hold the child, they can provide a soothing presence that might not be replicable by trained health care professionals or family members.

While trained health care professionals and providers performing the procedure possess the necessary skills and training to handle medical situations safely, they may not have the same emotional connection with the infant. Similarly, although a family member might provide support, they generally do not have the intimate bond or the direct calming effect that comes from a parent-child relationship. Thus, having a parent hold the infant ensures both physical security and emotional reassurance during the procedure.