By Daily Press staff
You have to take lessons and pass a test before you can drive a car, but every day, first-time parents without any experience take their new babies home.
Taking care of a baby can be complex. Below are some tips from local doctors that are designed to make the first few days with baby a little less frightening: Holding your baby Babies cannot hold their heads up for several weeks. Always support your newborn’s head and neck. There are several ways to safely carry a baby: ■ Hold your baby against your chest, with his head resting on your shoulder. With one hand, support his head and neck, and with the other hand, support his bottom. ■ Lay your baby across one arm, resting his head in the crook of your elbow and supporting his bottom with one hand. Your other arm offers additional support.
Burping your baby Babies hate having gas. It’s uncomfortable and they have no way to help themselves burp. Try some of the following burping methods: ■ Sit your baby upright on your lap. Lean him forward over one hand and gently pat his back with the other. ■ Hold your baby upright with his head against your shoulder. Gently pat his back with your other hand. (Bonus: Many babies are soothed by the close body contact and may drift off to sleep.) ■ Lay your baby face down on your lap and gently pat his back.
Bathing your baby Babies only need two or three baths a week. Over-bathing can dry out their skin and cause discomfort. However, if your baby loves being bathed, you can bathe him more frequently if you avoid using any soap or shampoo. ■ Until the umbilical cord stump has fallen off — usually in the first week — give your baby sponge baths. Lay him in a portable tub or on a dry towel and gently bathe him using a warm, wet sponge. ■ When your baby is ready to use an infant tub or regular bathtub, fill the tub with only an inch or two of water. Gently lay your baby on his back and wash him with a warm washcloth or sponge. ■ Wash your baby’s face first, moving on to his arms, legs and trunk, and finishing with his diaper area. ■ Never leave your baby or toddler unattended in the bath. Not even for a second. If the phone rings or someone knocks on the door, wrap your baby in a towel and take him with you. You can finish the bath later. ■ It’s a good idea to set your water heater’s thermostat no higher than 120 degrees. Hot water can easily scald your baby’s sensitive skin. (Jeffrey Penso, M.D., a pediatrician at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica provided information for this article. To find a pediatrician like Dr. Penso (or any type of physician), log onto the Saint John’s Web site at www.stjohns.org. Select “Find a Physician” and respond to the computer prompts. Browsers can choose from a wide range of specialists, which are then sorted by location, gender and language. The service instantly refers patients to one of Saint John’s experienced and caring physicians.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 9, 2005. Read the original PDF.