More Baby Basics
It might seem that feeding and diapering your baby are what you are going to spend most of your time doing, but there are a few other day-to-day tasks that you should be familiar and comfortable with. Sticking to the “see one, do one” technique that you learned in Chapter 3 and getting lots of practice will make you a pro in no time.
Burping
Burping the baby is one of the easier things that dads learn. After all, it isn't that complicated. However, there are several methods that can be used, and you should learn each to see which works best for your baby.
It is okay if your baby doesn't burp after each and every feeding, as long as it seems that she is otherwise doing well. However, if your baby seems more fussy or spits up more after feedings when she doesn't burp, you should keep trying.
The most common way to burp a baby is to simply place your baby against your shoulder and gently pat her back until she burps. Be sure to place a burp rag on your shoulder or you might get covered in spitup, which leads some dads to move to the next method, which is burping your baby as she sits on your lap. With this method, you lean the baby slightly forward and support the front of her chest, neck, and head with one hand while you pat her back with the other. If neither of these positions work for you, you could also burp her on your lap while she is lying on her stomach.
If you aren't able to get a burp, you might change positions and try again. You should also try to figure out if it works better to burp your baby at the end of the feeding, or to take a break to do it after several minutes of feeding.
Dressing Your Baby
After diaper changes, dressing the baby is one of the more challenging things that a new dad has to do. And undressing her isn't much easier.
Most of the difficulty probably results from the fear of hurting your baby, as you pull a shirt over her head or guide her arms through the sleeves. It can be a little intimidating to watch someone with more experience quickly and effortlessly undress and dress your baby, but that is the best way to learn. Then try it a few times yourself until you get the hang of it.
To make sure that everyone is comfortable in your home, set your thermostat to the temperature at which everyone is most comfortable, and then dress your baby accordingly, usually adding one more layer for your baby than you do for yourself.
Bathing
Bath time is easy for most of the first month until your baby's umbilical cord comes off, because she will only need a sponge bath a few times a week. You can expect that she won't like these early baths, though.
To get started with a sponge bath, get everything ready beforehand. You will need a basin filled with warm water and a mild soap, a washcloth, a cup of warm water for rinsing, and a soft surface to place your baby on, such as the bed or kitchen counter with another towel on it. Once you're ready, undress your baby and wrap her in a towel. Place her on the soft surface you have chosen and gently wash each part of her body with the washcloth you have dipped in the basin of soapy water. Rinse her off when you're done and wrap her in another towel to get dry. Last, use a moisturizer if her skin appears dry and get her dressed again.
Once the umbilical cord comes off, you can give your baby a regular bath. These are still different from the baths you may be used to, though, because you won't be submerging your baby in the water. Instead, put a small amount of soapy water in the sink or small tub, support her head and neck, and hold most of her body just above the water. Then wash and rinse each part of her body with a washcloth and warm water.
When bathing your baby, be sure that the water isn't too hot, that your baby isn't submerged in the water, and that you always keep at least one hand supporting her head and neck.
