5. Picking Up and Handling Baby
If you’re like most first-time parents,
the thought of handling baby fills you with trepidation. She’s such a
tiny, delicate being. You want to be sure you pick her up correctly, and you don’t want to drop her. Rest easy—she’s not as fragile as you think.
There are ways to handle her so you’ll both feel confident. Always
support her head with your hand or arm, and keep an arm or hand under
her back. You may hold her close or a little more loosely. Use smooth
motions when moving her, and always protect her head with your arm or
hand.
Never shake your baby—shaking can
result in “shaken baby syndrome.” This causes bleeding and bruising of
the brain, injury to the eyes and damage to the spinal cord.
6. Diapering Baby
Changing your baby’s diapers is a
necessary task; once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to do it
quickly and efficiently. Many dads soon become experts! See the
illustration on the opposite page.
Change baby’s diapers whenever she’s wet
or soiled to prevent irritation and diaper rash. A newborn wets between
6 and 10 times a day. Bowel movements are more variable; some babies
poop two or three times a day, others only every few days. Whether your
baby is breastfed or bottlefed may also make a difference in her bowel
movements.
You don’t need to clean baby with baby
wipes if she has only a wet diaper. Urine is germ free; using a baby
wipe every time you change her could be irritating. If possible, let
her “air out” (go without a diaper for a while) between diaper changes.
It helps reduce the risk of diaper rash.
A Quick Method to Change Baby
Try this method for changing baby; it’s
quick and easy. Lay baby on the changing table; strap her in or keep
your hand on her tummy. Undo pins or diaper tabs, and gently lift her
ankles. (You can do this with one hand.) With your other hand, wipe any
feces into the dirty diaper and put it to the side. Using baby wipes or
wet cotton balls, clean the genitals; with a girl, wipe from front to
back to avoid contaminating the vaginal area, which could cause a
urinary-tract infection. Let her air dry for a bit, or dry her with a
soft washcloth. Slide a clean diaper under her as you again lift her
ankles. Fasten diaper with pins or tabs, and adjust leg openings so
there are no gaps.
Folding a diaper then positioning
it under baby’s bottom.
