What to Expect the First Year (36 page)

Put the diaper on backward? Took 5 minutes to get baby positioned for a productive burp? Forgot to wash under the arms at bath time? No sweat. Not only are babies forgiving when it comes to minor baby-care mishaps, but they usually don't even notice. Still, like every new parent, you'll want to do the best job you possibly can taking care of your newborn—even if that personal best is far from parenting perfection. These Baby-Care Basics will help guide you to that goal. But remember, what follows are only suggested ways to care for baby—you'll probably stumble (sometimes literally) on strategies that work better for both of you. As long as it's a safe way to go, go for it.

Especially in the early months, the time for a diaper change can come all too often—sometimes hourly during baby's waking hours, sometimes (especially for the breastfed newborn) even more frequently. But while it might not be the best part of your new job (that would be those warm snuggles), it's a necessary one—and in fact, frequent changes (taking place, at the very least, before or after every daytime feeding if baby's wet, and whenever your baby poops) are the best way to keep that sweet but sensitive bottom free of irritation and diaper rash.

You won't have to play diaper detective to figure out when it's time for a change. You'll know when your baby poops—the grunts will clue you in, and if you miss those, you'll get a whiff quick enough. As far as how you can tell if your little one has peed, it's pretty elementary: Cloth diapers will feel wet, disposables with a liquid-sensitive color changing stripe will give you the sign, and if you have the standard type of disposable, a quick look (and sniff) will tell you what you need to know.

Waking a sleeping baby to change a diaper is hardly ever necessary, and unless baby's very wet and uncomfortable or has had a poop, you don't need to change diapers at nighttime feedings, when the activity and light involved can interfere with baby's getting back to sleep.

To ensure a change for the better whenever you change your baby's diaper:

1.
Before you begin to change a diaper, be sure everything you need is at hand, either on the changing table or, if you're away from home, in your diaper bag. Otherwise, you could end up removing a messy diaper only to find out you have nothing to clean the mess with. You will need all or some of the following:

• A clean diaper

• Cotton balls and warm water for babies under 1 month (or those with diaper rash) and a small towel or dry washcloth for drying; diaper wipes for other babies

• A change of clothes if the diaper has leaked (it happens with the best of them); clean diaper wraps or waterproof pants if you're using cloth diapers

• Ointment or cream, if needed, for diaper rash; no need for lotions, baby oil, or powder

2.
Wash and dry your hands before you begin, if possible, or give them a once-over with a diaper wipe.

3.
Have baby entertainment on hand. Live shows are a baby's favorite (cooing, funny faces, songs) backed up by other diversions, which can be a mobile hanging over the changing table, a stuffed toy or two in baby's range of vision (and later, within reach), a music box, a mechanical toy—whatever will hold your baby's interest long enough for you to take off one diaper and put on another.

4.
Spread a protective cloth diaper or a changing cloth if you are changing baby anywhere but on a changing table. Wherever you make the change, be careful not to leave baby unattended, not even for a moment, not even before rolling over has been accomplished. Even strapped to a changing table, your baby shouldn't be out of arm's reach.

5.
Unfasten the diaper, but don't remove it yet. First survey the scene. If there's a bowel movement, use the diaper to wipe most of it away. Now fold the diaper under the baby with the unsoiled side up to act as a protective surface, and clean baby's front thoroughly with warm water or a wipe, being sure to get into all the creases. Then lift both legs, clean the buttocks, and slip the soiled diaper out and a fresh diaper under before releasing the legs. Pat baby dry if you used water. Make sure baby's bottom is completely dry before putting on the clean diaper (or any ointments or creams). If you note any irritation or rash,
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for treatment tips. If the umbilical stump is still attached, fold the diaper down to expose the raw area to air and keep it from getting wet, or use newborn diapers that have a special notched top. And be sure to fasten the diaper snugly to minimize leaks, but not so tightly that irritation occurs (telltale marks will warn you that the diaper is too tight).

Got a boy baby? Keep a fresh diaper over that penis for as much of this process as possible, in self-defense. Also, expect to see erections—they happen often during diaper changes, and that's completely normal. Don't be afraid of cleaning under and around the scrotum and penis—just be gentle, of course. Before closing the diaper, try aiming your baby boy's penis down, which will help prevent wetness from creeping up and drenching his clothes.

Clean baby's bottom thoroughly, being sure to get into all the creases.

Once that soft tush is completely dry, fasten the clean diaper snugly to minimize leaks.

6.
Dispose of diapers in a sanitary way. Used disposable diapers can be folded over, tightly reclosed, and dropped into a diaper pail or the garbage can. Used cloth diapers should be kept in a tightly covered diaper pail until wash day or pickup, though you'll probably want to scrape off and flush away anything solid first (a good reason to consider a flushable liner). If you're away from home, they can be held in a plastic bag until you get back.

7.
Change baby's clothing and/or sheet as needed.

8.
Wash your hands with soap and water, when possible, or clean them thoroughly with a diaper wipe, antibacterial wipes, or hand sanitizer.

Milk isn't all baby swallows during a feed. Along with that nutritive fluid comes nonnutritive air, which can make a baby feel uncomfortably full before the meal is finished. That's why burping baby to bring up any excess air that's accumulated—every couple of ounces when bottle-feeding, and between breasts when breastfeeding (or mid-breast, if your tiny newborn is managing only one breast at a time)—is such an important part of the feeding process.

There are three basic ways to burp a baby—on your shoulder, facedown on your lap, or sitting up—and it's a good idea to try them all to see which gets the job done best for your little one. Though a gentle pat or rub may get the burp up for most babies, some need a slightly firmer hand.

On your shoulder.
Hold baby firmly against your shoulder, supporting the buttocks with one hand and patting or rubbing the back (focusing on the left side of baby's body—which is where the stomach is) with the other.

An over-the-shoulder hold yields the best burping result for many babies, but don't forget to protect your clothes.

Facedown on your lap.
Turn baby facedown on your lap, with that tummy over one leg, head resting on the other. Holding him or her securely with one hand, pat or rub with the other.

The lap burp position can get the job done with an added bonus: It can be soothing for a colicky baby.

Sitting up.
Sit baby on your lap, head leaning forward, chest supported by your arm as you hold him or her under the chin. Pat or rub, being sure not to let baby's head flop backward.

Even a newborn can sit up for a burp, but be sure you're supporting a still wobbly head.

Until a baby starts getting down and dirty on all fours, a daily bath definitely isn't needed. As long as adequate spot cleaning is done during diaper changes and after feedings, a bath two or three times a week in the premobile months will keep baby smelling sweet and looking fresh—welcome news if he or she doesn't exactly appreciate those dunks in the tub. Sponging can stand in between baths, as needed. Your little ducky loves the tub? There's no harm in daily dunks, unless dry skin is an issue.

Though just about any time of the day can be the right time for a newborn bath, a before-bedtime slot makes the most sense—after all, warm water relaxes, soothes, and induces sleepiness. Plus, as baby starts spending the days getting dirty, nighttime baths will be smart on all fronts—and backsides—while becoming a treasured part of the bedtime ritual. Avoid baths just after or just before a meal, since spitting up could be the result of so much handling on a full tummy, and baby may not be cooperative on an empty one. Allot plenty of undivided time for the bath, so it won't be hurried and you won't be tempted to leave baby unattended even for a second to take care of something else.

The changing table, a kitchen counter, your bed, or the baby's crib (if the mattress is high enough)—or really, any surface that can be easily covered with a waterproof pad or thick towel—are all suitable locations for a sponge bath. Once baby has graduated from sponging to soaking, you can opt for the kitchen or bathroom sink, or a portable tub placed on a counter or in the big tub (though the maneuvering involved when bathing a tiny baby while bending and stretching over a tub can be tricky). Your work surface should be comfortable for you to access and roomy enough to hold all your bath supplies.