Baby Basics
The “basics” are going to mean different things to different people. For a brand new dad who has never been around a lot of babies before, simply holding your baby is something that will have to be learned. Dads with more experience may just need to brush up on other basics, like feedings, changing diapers, and dressing the baby. Learning to take a rectal temperature is another good skill to learn before you go home.
See One, Do One
Reading long, detailed instructions isn't the best way for most new dads to learn about changing diapers or dressing a baby. Unless you have seen or done these things before, even the best instructions are going to seem as if they are written in a foreign language.
If you don't feel comfortable doing something, whether it is changing a diaper, feeding your baby, or simply picking him up, then ask someone to help you. New dads are much less likely to want to help out if they feel that they don't know what they are doing.
A much better approach is the basic “see one, do one” technique of learning baby basics. This means that you watch an experienced person perform each task, and then try it yourself. You'll feel more comfortable doing these things with someone watching, especially if that person can point out things you may be doing wrong.
Basics to Learn
These are some of the more important things that you should know how to do before discharge, so that you will feel more confident and will be able to be more helpful at home.
Recognize proper breastfeeding techniques, including positioning, latching-on, and sucking
Prepare your baby's formula and bottles (if using formula)
Burp your baby
Change a diaper
Dress and undress your baby
Pick up, carry, and hold your baby
Take a rectal temperature
Swaddle your baby by snugly wrapping him in a blanket
Put your baby to sleep on his back to prevent SIDS
If necessary, care for a circumcised penis
