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2 4 - H R C R I B S I D E A S S I S TA N C E

P E E L P U B L I C H E A LT H

THE NEW BABY MANUAL

FOR DADS
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Now that you're a proud father of a new baby, here

are a few tips on getting the best performance out
WARNING! of your model.

WARNING! Your baby requires a "breaking-in" period. You need to spend lots of
time during this "breaking-in period" to get to know your unique model. Free time
might be limited. You might wonder what you’ve gotten yourself into but be
patient. Remember, mom has been test driving this model for the past 9 months
and has a head start. Before you know it, you’ll be head over heels in love.
Performance
It is important to start a good routine of regular maintenance. The baby will
become much more portable and flexible as days go on. Taking care of such
a small baby may feel awkward at first but the sooner you get to it the faster
you will become comfortable in the driver’s seat.

It has been shown that top performing babies have very

involved fathers.

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A good supply of top grade breast milk and a happy mom are
important to top performance of your model.

Breastfeeding:
• is best for baby
• is free
• is portable and requires no mixing or heating
Fuel Consumption
• makes for a smoother running baby (breast milk is easy to digest)
• boosts the immune system which guards against illness (just like rust proofing)
• makes for a quieter operation (less likely to be colicky)
• lets baby eat as much as he/she needs
• reduces the risk of crib death (SIDS - Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

Father's support is very important for successful breastfeeding.

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For a good supply of breast milk, fathers can do the following:

• go to breastfeeding classes with mom for technical advice
• feed mom
• bring baby to mom
• help with positioning of baby at breast
• check baby's attachment to mom's breast (latch) during operation
• support mom and tell her she's doing a great job
• burp baby
• change baby when asked or whenever needed
• hold baby after feedings to help settle to sleep
• run interference with public, family, meddling neighbours, or whoever challenges her decision
to breastfeed
• try to help mom relax and get extra sleep
• whatever mom asks (could be anything at any time of the day or night)

To make enough breast milk, mom needs rest, sleep, and food. Your help is vital. Cooking (which also
includes getting take-out from mom's favourite restaurant), cleaning (yes, the vacuum), answering the
phone, entertaining guests (or telling them to come back another time), shopping, doing the laundry and
dishes, along with all the things you did before, are a few small things which will help keep the breast
milk flowing.
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Average Fuel Consumption

8 – 12 feedings per 24 hours (amounts and times are different for every model)
Growth spurts at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months cause an increase in fuel consumption.
During these times, it is normal for a baby to feed frequently for 2 – 4 days. This too will pass.

Adequate fuel consumption can be seen in the following ways:

Waterworks (peeing)

Day 1: Day 2: Day 3: Day 4: Day 5: Day 6 and after:

1 wet diaper 2 wet diapers 3 wet diapers 4 wet diapers 5 wet diapers at least 6 wet diapers

Septic (pooping)

Don't be surprised if every time something goes in, something comes out the other end. However, for the first
month, owners should be happy with 4 or more soft poops per day.

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Electrical (sleep or activity)

Baby settles after feeds. Baby is active and alert at other times.

Weight

During the first month, baby gains 5 – 10 oz (150 – 300 g) per week; baby regains any lost birth weight
by 2 – 3 weeks, doubles birth weight by 5 to 6 months, and triples birth weight by a year (remember this
is baby not dad).

**Low Fuel Warning:

Get help if your baby:

• does not feed at least 8 times in 24 hours
• has fewer number of wet diapers than number of days old
(if your baby is less than 6 days old)
• has less than 6 wet diapers per day
(if your baby is 6 days or older)
• is very sleepy and hard to wake up to feed
• has yellow skin and eyes and is not feeding well
• has less than one dirty diaper in 24 hours
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For technincal assistance with breastfeeding call:

Health Line Peel 905-799-7700,

Caledon residents call Toll Free

905-584-2216
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday

Call your doctor or midwife — Anytime

Call Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000

For those fathers who wish more information regarding breastfeeding, refer to the Region of Peel
handbook Breastfeeding Your Baby (given to breastfeeding moms in hospital). Also available by
calling Health Line Peel.

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For your baby to have a safe and long life, the manufacturer
recommends:

• always use a car seat

• read the instructions before putting together baby equipment

(your baby’s life depends on it)
Safe Operation
• keep one hand on baby at all times during diaper changes
(models may lurch and roll unexpectedly)

• never shake a baby

(shaking can cause permanent brain damage and even death)

• put baby to sleep on his/her back to help prevent SIDS

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Dad's guide to effective burping (the baby that is)

• Burping is helpful to avoid build-up of gas.
• Dads can become pros at this in no time (some babies burp on their own).
• Place baby on your shoulder and pat gently but firmly on the back. This
can easily be done sitting in your favourite chair or while strolling around
the house.

WARNING! Some models will eject liquid when burping (this is normal). The
manufacturer recommends using some kind of tarp (i.e. blanket) on your
shoulder or standing near a sink.
Do - It- Yourself Service
Five ways to calm a cranky baby
(You may want to look around • Cuddle (you remember cuddling) or wrap baby up in a blanket.
to see who is watching first). • While holding baby, gently bounce or walk with the baby while speaking softly
("sh...sh..." works well or point out the interesting features in your workshop
If you think your baby makes too or on your computer).
much noise, call Health Line Peel
905-799-7700, Caledon residents • Whisper in his or her ear.
call toll free 905-584-2216 and • Go for a walk or car ride.
talk to a public health nurse
• Be silly - sing or make funny faces.
about it.

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Does it really need to be changed? Some dads prefer the

Looking Under The Hood sniff method, some peek, and others can tell by the feel
of the diaper.

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Oil Changes

• Girls - wipe from front to back.

• Boys - when washing, treat the penis like a finger.

DO NOT PULL BACK FORESKIN

• Most babies will pee when they get cold, so keep that penis
covered unless you want to get showered.

• Tabs come from the back of the diaper and fasten to the front.

• Cloth diapers need to be rinsed in the toilet and stored in the diaper pail.
Don't forget to dispose of the disposables.
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Is it supposed to be that colour?

Black - baby's first poops are black and sticky (known as meconium). Once the baby is getting good amounts of
breast milk (or formula) it will change from black to greenish black to brown or yellow.

Mustard coloured - seedy, loose poops are normal for breastfed babies.

White - it is normal for girls to have a whitish jelly-like discharge from their vagina. This will eventually get
cleaned off.

Red - girls also can bleed a small amount from the vagina in the first few days. This is normal and is caused
by mom's hormones.

Orangey red - babies that are 1 – 3 days old may have one or two orangey-red coloured spots in the diaper.
The baby is not bleeding but has passed uric acid crystals. If this continues past 3 days, call your doctor
or Health Line Peel 905-799-7700, Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216.

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Your tool kit should contain:

• diapers - at least 3 or 4

• wipes

• change pad

• complete change of clothes for baby (pick an outfit you can put on easily)

• diaper cream (if using)

• plastic bag (for dirty diapers)

Dad’s Tool Kit

Sometimes as a dad you may feel awkward, but as your baby

grows you will develop a very special relationship.

Even though it may seem like mom is in the driver's seat, take
responsibility for some aspect of regular maintenance like the
bath or bedtime.

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Exhaust(ion) is likely with a new baby. Your baby will not sleep through
the night for several months. This can be hard on drivers. Babies are designed
to wake up and refuel every few hours. Eventually, they will start sleeping longer.
In the meantime, try to take turns at sleeping-in, go to bed earlier (and not
necessarily at the same time), and nap. If one partner is rested, the other
partner can function better.

When will we ever have sex again? It is important to remember that

after having a baby, mom needs time to recover. Good communication and
not pressuring or rushing mom helps. Don’t forget to use birth control.
Fine Tuning and Fun Condoms and foam are a good choice if mom is ready for sex before she
sees the doctor at around six weeks. Mom may be hesitant at first. However,
with time (and some sleep), this shall pass.

For a well-tuned family, it is important to talk to mom and maintain your

relationship as a couple. Talk about something (anything) other than the baby.
Remember, mom drives this model all day. You may be worried about balancing
work and home. This may be a time to look at your options and talk to your
partner about them. Plan time together. Go on a date.

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Troubleshooting

Problems Causes What to do?

Crying baby • Hungry • Feed your baby.

• Tired • Rock baby gently in your arms or in a cradle.
• Gas • Burp baby during and after feeding.
• Hold baby and rub his/her back while walking around your
house singing your favourite tunes.
• Boredom • Change baby's surroundings.
• Cold • Bundle baby in blanket or put on another layer of clothing.
• Uncomfortable • Take off a layer or clothing if baby is too hot.
• Make sure nothing is pinching or poking baby.
• Smelly or damp • Change diaper (and clothes if necessary).

• Normal baby blues • Be supportive and reassuring. Be patient.

Crying Mom
• Overtired and over- • Encourage mom to nap, take over as many household chores as
whelmed possible (take initiative and don’t wait for mom to ask for help),
limit visitors, tell her what a good job she's doing.
• Postpartum depression • Encourage mom to seek professional help if feelings of sadness,
anger, guilt, anxiety, fatigue and inadequacy persist.
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Troubleshooting

Problems Causes What to do?

Breastfeeding • Sore nipples • Help with positioning and latch.

difficulties • Full and/or sore breasts • Encourage mom to get help before she stops breastfeeding.
Call Peel Public Health's breastfeeding desk at 905-799-7700
to talk to a Public Health Nurse (Caledon residents call toll
free 905-584-2216). Other available help includes La Leche
League, or your doctor or midwife. Don’t give up too quickly
because breast milk really is the best food for your baby
• Encourage mom to feed more often. Sore or tender breasts
are normal when milk comes in – this too will pass.
• Mom and baby learning • Support and encourage mom.
what to do

Noisy exhaust • Normal infant bowel • Change diaper and do laundry.

system sounds (sometimes
heard across the room)

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Troubleshooting

Problems Causes What to do?

Spots, blotches, • Normal newborn rash • Nothing. (It takes a while for baby's skin to get used to air so
red rash (anywhere on body) they tend to get a lot of rashes, spots, etc.)
• Diaper area • If it looks strange, compare notes with mom and call for help
if needed (Health Line Peel 905-799-7700, Caledon residents
call toll free 905-584-2216).
• Thrush (white spots in • Go to the doctor as baby needs medication for thrush - mom
baby's mouth that look also needs to see the doctor if she is breastfeeding.
like milk curds)

Cone head • The birth process • Nothing. Baby's head will become less pointy in a very short time.

Anything • Don't know • Call Health Line Peel 905-799-7700, Caledon residents
call toll free 905-584-2216. You may speak to a Public
Health Nurse Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
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Or visit peelregion.ca/health
Page 1

Call Health Line Peel 905-799-7700,

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND HELP

Call or see your Family Doctor or Midwife

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday
Caledon residents call toll free 905-584-2216

* Material adapted and reproduced with permission from the Kingston, Frontenac and
Lennox and Addington Health Unit.
* Design adapted from York Region Health Services
* Originally produced with financial contributions from Family Services of Canada and Clarica.