This essay reviews the place of the baby metaphor in relational thinking. The relational emphasis on mutuality (patient-as-adult) in the clinical encounter collided with models lodged in developmental metaphors and resulted in sharp critiques of the holding theme. Bringing my own Winnicottian/relational perspective to this critique, I proposed a view of holding that bridged the two models by exploring the analyst's participation in establishing and maintaining a holding experience. Relational perspectives on holding have changed, as has my own view. I illustrate holding's multiple incarnations with short and longer case vignettes.