By Daily Press staff
“It was amazing,” said Karen, a Santa Monica resident, three weeks after delivering a healthy infant son. “They let me take him straight home. You have to take lessons and pass a test before you can drive a car. Taking care of a baby is much more complex.”
Caring for a delicate newborn is complex, and many new parents feel less than prepared and more than a little frightened, doctors say.
Pediatrician Dr. Jeffrey Penso, who works at Saint John’s Health Care Center offers some advice: Holding your baby Babies can’t 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. As a 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. (For more information, log onto www.stjohns.org.)
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 29, 2005. Read the original PDF.