answer:Holding as in sitting on the sofa and having the baby on his/her lap, yes. Holding as in being able to handle the weight of a new born, maybe depending on the three-year-old. Holding as in having the coordination to hold and walk around with a newborn that could be squirming around without dropping it, I wouldn’t try it if it were my child, but I suppose it could be possible depending on the 3-year-old.