Holding a Baby During Shiva

Is there a prohibition against holding a baby during the seven days of mourning (Shiva), and what is the law in private when other people do not see?

It is forbidden to engage in laughter, and since it is likely to lead to laughter, one should refrain from holding a baby even in private. However, during the thirty days, it is permitted.

It is stated in the Gemara Moed Katan, page 26b: "Rav Papa said: It is taught in Avel Rabbati: A mourner should not place a baby in his lap because it leads to laughter, and he becomes disgraced in the eyes of people." The Ran writes that "disgraced in the eyes of people" means that he is not mourning his deceased properly, as even greeting is forbidden, all the more so engaging in laughter.

In Levush Yoreh Deah, Siman 391, it is written: "Perhaps through this he will come to laughter, but this is not said about not taking a baby except during the seven days, as it would be a great disgrace if he laughed, and it is also included in 'anek dom'. But after seven days, it is not said." From his words, it is clear that even if not in front of others but in private, it is forbidden because of 'anek dom', and in front of others, it also becomes disgraceful.

The Rambam in the fifth chapter of the Laws of Mourning, Halacha 20, writes: "It is forbidden to increase words and laughter, and not to hold a baby in his hand so that it does not lead to laughter." In Shulchan Aruch, Siman 391, paragraph 1, it is written: "A mourner is forbidden in joy, therefore he should not hold a baby in his lap all seven days so that it does not lead to laughter." And it does not write the reason of being disgraced in the eyes of people, unlike the Tur who added this reason.

In practice, there is no prohibition to hold a baby in private, but it is forbidden to lead to laughter, therefore in public, it becomes disgraceful as it is likely to lead to laughter, but the same applies in private, as Rabbi Yosef Chaim Sonnenfeld wrote in Shut Shelemet Chaim, Yoreh Deah, Siman 206.