3 Baby Care Tips For New And Nervous Fathers

By Jennifer Ransome

Moms have traditionally occupied the spotlight when it comes to caring for their babies. It's understandable that new dads might feel intimidated by the task. Whether they're putting diapers on them, burping them, or simply holding them while they fall asleep, new fathers are often tentative. They fear they'll do something wrong.

If you're a new (and nervous) father, rest assured that you'll be a pro in no time. Here are three baby care tips that will give you a head start:

Tip 1 - Follow Your Instincts. They're Usually Right.

First-time dads have a common fear when their babies are born: they don't trust themselves. They're accustomed to working on cars, firmly holding rusty tools, and neglecting the subtleties of a soft touch. Add to that the stereotype of the novice father giving his kids healthy slices of birthday cake for breakfast and the anxiety seems reasonable.

Trust your instincts. Parenting is largely about trial and error - for both you and your partner. You'll make mistakes; expect them and learn from them. The worst thing you can do is surrender to your worries and allow your partner to compensate by handling the entire job. Get involved. You'll be thankful you did when your child grows older.

Tip 2 - Learn Proper Handling Techniques

First, retire the anxiety that you'll drop your baby. It rarely ever happens. Quite the opposite, you'll find that holding him is instinctive. The key is to learn how to use your hands in order to properly support him. During his first month, his neck muscles will not be developed, which means he won't be able to support his head. You'll need to do it for him.

When you pick him up, slip one hand beneath his shoulder blades. Position your hand so that it's holding his head while you slip your other hand behind his bottom. Then, lift him slowly.

Tip 3 - Learning To Swaddle

Swaddling is a relatively new parenting technique for soothing and comforting a fussy or frightened baby. Here's how to do it: lay a small blanket on the floor and fold it so that it looks like a 3-pointed diamond. Position it so that one of the points is at the top. Fold that point down a fourth of the way. Next, lay your little one on his back and position him so his head is above the fold.

Loosely wrap the right end of the blanket over his right arm and place that arm on his chest. Then, bring up the point at the bottom so that it covers his feet. Lastly, wrap the remaining portion of the blanket (on your infant's left side) around his right arm. A few tucks here and there, and your baby will feel as if he's back in his mother's womb.

Remember, parenting is a challenge as much as it is a joy. As a new father, look forward to the adventure of raising your baby. With a little attention and a lot of love, you'll soon leave your first-time parenting fears behind you.

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Different Thermometer Types For Babies

By Evan Tweedle

It's important to be able to tell what your baby's temperature is - babies have less control over their body temperature than adults. You can usually get a rough idea of a baby's temperature just by touching their forehead or neck with your hand - don't use the baby's hands as a guide though as the temperature of the extremities can vary from body temperature due to environmental conditions.

Clearly this is no more than a rough guide to the temperature of your baby. There will certainly be times when you want a more accurate reading. In such a case, using a thermometer of some type would be the obvious solution. There is quite a wide range of different types on offer - but which one is best for you and your baby?

Conventional Glass Tube Mercury Filled Thermometers These are very accurate - but there's always some risk of breaking and they do require to be kept in place for a minimum time period in order to obtain a good reading. They require to be placed under the arm, in the mouth or in the rectum. Any of those positions could be somewhat difficult if you have an unhappy, fractious baby as the patient.

Digital Stick Type Thermometer Pretty similar to a traditional thermometer - but battery powered and manufactured from plastic instead of glass. It also has a digital read out which will minimise the possibility of reading error. Stick one of these under the baby's arm for about thirty seconds and you should obtain an accurate reading.

Contact Type Plastic Strip Thermometers Just place the strip against your baby's forehead and keep it in place for fifteen seconds. The colour will change to indicate what the baby's temperature is. These are easy to use, cheap and accurate - but it is possible to misread them. The accuracy of the reading can also be impaired if there is perspiration on baby's forehead.

Non Contact Scanning Thermometers Nobody likes being poked or prodded when they're ill and babies are no exception. So non contact scanner thermometers are a great option since they don't require to touch any part of the body. They use infra-red (perfectly harmless) to take a reading of the skin temperature. Points where the skin is thin - such as the temple for example - are good points to take readings. Surface perspiration can still reduce the degree of accuracy obtained.

Ear Thermometers The ear is considered to give the most accurate reflection of the body's core temperature and should give you a fast and accurate reading. Most ear thermometers come with disposable caps which you put over the tip and then throw away after each use to make it hygienic. Digital readouts are normal and negate any user error.

Any of the above types of thermometer will work just fine. Your choice will most likely depend upon your own personal preference.

If you want to minimise the possibility of reader error, then a thermometer with a digital display probably makes a lot of sense.

A non contact thermometer, or an ear thermometer, is probably a good choice if you want to avoid upsetting your baby.

In terms of accuracy, the ear thermometer comes out on top.

So, overall - the baby ear thermometer is probably best - both for baby and for you.

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Learn why an ear thermometer makes sense for both you and your baby.

How To Take Care of a Baby - Making Things Easy

By Alice Sy

We're going to have a baby!" That is the phrase you would simply utter if you found out that you're going to have a baby. Of course, you are overjoyed and simply can't explain your feeling. That would also be the time that you become aware of all you read and hear on how to take care of a baby.

When the baby is already around, you would feel little overwhelmed and nervous. You simple do not know how to take care of a baby, right? Relax. In the process, you would eventually know the trade. You can ask help from your mother or grandmother. They can also help you take care of the child while you are doing the house chores.

How to take care of a baby? There are many things to consider, especially for first-time parents. First of all, you have to know proper diaper service. Another energy saver is the disposal of diapers, which you could use the first few days that you are on your own. These are not meant for day-in and day-out use but help wonderfully to tide over an emergency.

Another thing to consider is the proper feeding of these babies. It is still best that your babies receive breast milk for the first few months. When breastfeeding it is important that they are latched on to you so that they can drink the milk properly instead of sucking in gas.

Pregnancy classes or mothers' classes can help you familiarize yourself with the most common conditions your baby might experience as he or she grows up. This can include colic, teething, ear infections, aspiration and more. The more prepared you are, the simpler the question of how to take care of a baby would appear. One screaming baby is enough. You don't need to add your worrying and panicking to the situation.

You can also learn proper feeding and proper diaper care in these classes. You don't know how many cases of infant conditions have been reported due to a parent's failure to do these tasks properly.

You should never lose your temper when your baby cries. This is the only way your baby can communicate with you. Try to be observant when your baby cries. When they are hungry or are uncomfortable in their diaper, they have a certain crying sound. However, when they are sick, their cry can change into that of a shrilling type.

If you love your baby then taking care of them will come easy. Don't be afraid to ask for help from your family and friends. This does not make you seem an incompetent parent but rather a concerned one. Now, do you still need to ask the question how to take care of a baby?

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Choosing a Infant Monitor

By Margery Haman

A infant monitor is an essential purchase for expectant parents, as it will impart you the serenity of being able to check on your sleeping infant wherever you are in your home. Regrettably, these monitors are the kind of device which you are unlikely to have any experience of until the time comes when you need one, and it can be difficult to know which type to buy.

There are 3 classic kinds of monitor: audio, video, and movement or breathing.

The audio monitor is the most popular kind, and at its most basic consists of a transmitter that you place in your baby's nursery, and a pass catcher that lets you 'listen in', alerting you if your infant begins to scream or otherwise shows signs of waking. The very cheapest models will have a fixed receiver that needs to be plugged into a wall socket for power, but most designs today have a rechargable mobile receiver which you can carry from room to room, or even outside so long as you stay in range.

The range of your monitor system will depend on a number of constituents, including the construction of your house - thicker walls will reduce the range - and any sources of disturbance such as neighbouring monitor systems, computer wireless nets, and even microwave ovens with special models.

Disturbance is less of a problem nowdays, as most models will now let you select from a range of channels to operate on, so if you do encounter disturbance problems, you can switch to a new channel to hopefully clear things up. Several units simply possess two or four transmits which you have to manually choose, while the more modern models now have hundreds of transmits which will be selected automatically to minimise interference in the current circumstances.

The more modern monitors, like so much else these days, use digital technology. What this means in practice is a broader signal, and an increased range of operation.

Those are the basic principles of audio monitors, but there are other features available depending on the model. A modern one is an intercom or talkback system where you can talk to your baby with the help of the monitor, assisting you to soothe her back to sleep without the disruption of going into the baby's room. Other models may have nightlights or cradlesongs which you can set to play either automatically or by hand, again without entering the room, while another common feature is temperature alerts where you can see how warm the nursery is, and be alerted if it falls outside a stable range.

The last point to keep in mind when taking a monitor system is price. The range is ample, from only a few dollars up to a few hundred. For something as essential as a monitor though, it's worth getting the best model you can afford, as after all, if the system does not perform well and you can't trust it, then it is efficaciously a waste of time.

About the Author:

Joann Breen has written large number of articles on going over baby products, potty training for babies. For more such useful tips on choosing the correct product and baby products requirements visit potty training toilet seat.

Getting Your Young Child To Bed

By Macy Jackson

Are you a new parent wondering if you will ever get your baby to sleep through the night? If so, try some of the techniques mentioned below. By implementing these techniques as early as possible with your newborn, you will find better success and more restful nights.

One of the first things you can teach your baby is the difference between day and night. It may sound impossible, but it's not. It actually depends on your willingness to make behavioral changes during the day and at night. During the day talk to your baby as you feed him. Include playtime after feeding. At night, however, stick to feeding only and help your baby get back to sleep as soon as possible. This will help your baby learn when it is appropriate to be up and when it is appropriate to sleep.

Since your baby will not know how to settle himself down to sleep, you may try different techniques. One sleep settling method is called hands-on settling. Leave the baby in his bed, but reach over into the crib to soothe and comfort him. This will help teach him that his own bed is a safe and cozy place to sleep.

Try not to get anxious when you are helping your baby settle down to sleep. Babies are very sensitive to body language. You must demonstrate that you are relaxed and that their bed is a comfortable, safe, and cozy place for them to sleep. The child will follow your lead in relaxing, or becoming tenser and less apt to sleep.

Another way to encourage a healthy sleep pattern is to implement a routine. When the baby wakes, feed him. Then, allow time for play and time to work any excess air through his system. Make sure he is well burped. This does two things. One, play time helps make your baby tired, so he is willing to fall asleep. Burping prevents gas build up from causing pain which wakes the baby.

Watch for indications that your baby is tired. If she rubs her hand on her face, eyes, or ears she may be getting tired. If you overlook these signs, you may wait until the baby is overly tired. Once that happens, it is more difficult to get the baby to sleep. Once they begin to yawn, a baby often becomes restless, evading sleep. Before putting your baby down, prepare her for a good night's sleep by placing a fresh diaper on her and comfortable sleeping clothes.

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Learn how to make baby sleep through the night. Also what to do when baby won't sleep.

Get Your Child To Sleep So You Can Sleep Too

By Penny Jones

If you have a baby then you have probably already taken your baby's sleeping habits into consideration. You can't really rest until your baby is sleeping peacefully and soundly through the night. Your baby's sleeping habits develop slowly over time, but it is never to early to begin to recognize patterns and encourage the development of regular sleep behavior. You will see significant development in your baby's sleep pattern as they reach three months of age.

Newborns will sleep often. One thing that may be difficult for new parents to adjust to is that babies do not sleep for long stretches of time. You must respond quickly to a baby's needs when they awake, so that they learn a sense of security and dependability from you. This means that you when your baby is awake, during the first few weeks, you will be feeding, changing diapers, and spending precious little quite time with your baby before they go back to sleep. It will be much easier on you to follow your baby's pattern if they are sleeping somewhere near you. This will also help you begin to recognize and learn your newborns emerging sleep patterns.

Some parents like to encourage their baby to sleep alone. Regardless of where you put your infant down to nap, you should never be too far away. Securely swaddling a baby in a blanket or holding a baby gives it the comfort and security it needs to fall asleep more quickly and more soundly. Every baby sleeps better when they feel safe, warm, and comfortable.

Some babies do not like to sleep alone. This is normal at first. You can help your baby slowly develop a habit of lying down and sleeping alone with a little practice. Just keep in mind that all babies have different sleeping habits. Begin by swaddling your baby and laying him alone for a couple of naps during the day. You can slowly increase the number of times you place the baby down alone. This gradually acclimates your baby to sleeping alone.

When your baby awakes at night it is usually because of hunger. As your baby grows and begins to eat more, sleep duration will become longer and longer. In the meantime, there are a few additional things you can do to help your baby sleep more soundly. Keep the baby's room dark and quiet. Make sure the baby has adequate time to get used to her surroundings. Avoid stimulating the baby before bedtime and try to keep things in the baby's environment quiet during sleeping times.

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Learn how to make baby sleep through the night. Also what to do when baby won't sleep through the night.

Useful Breastfeeding Facts

Every mother wants to give her baby a good start in life, and you can do no better than breastfeed your baby. Breast milk is so much better that formula, as it helps your baby to build up his immune system.

The convenience of breastfeeding far outweighs that of bottle feeding. There are better things you could be doing with your time, rather than steralising bottles and making up endless feeds.

Breastfeeding does not cause problems to many mothers, but there are some common issues that you could come across at some stage.

Thrush - a harmless yeast infection which forms in the baby's mouth. Although a normal part of the digestive system, an infection will set in if an overgrowth occurs.

If you have pains in your breast or nipple, or they are very sensitive or itchy, then its quite likely you have developed Thrush. It needs to be treated as soon as symptoms appear, as you can have a continual circle of it passing between baby and mother.

Mastitis - A hard, red, inflamed painful breast is a sign that you are suffering from Mastitis. Its usually caused by bacteria becoming present in the milk ducts. See your GP as soon as possible. He will provide antibiotics to clear it up, and will give you a type that will mean that you can carry on breastfeeding.

Very Fast Milk Flow - Does your baby start to splutter and cough as soon as he starts to feed? This could be down to your milk flowing too fast. This is distressing for both mother and baby. A way to deal with this is to express some milk before each breast before feeding, this could slow down the milk flow. Trying to hold baby in a different position may also make it easier for him to take the milk.

Baby Does Not Seem To Like the Milk - Acidic or spicy foods can really change the taste of your milk and give baby quite a shock. Although the milk taste will vary slightly as does your diet, you really need to steer clear or highly spiced foods like curry or chilli. Also drink water and plain drinks rather than orange or lemon juice.

Is Baby Taking Enough? - Bottle feeding Mums know exactly how much milk their baby is taking. But how much is the right amount? If your baby feeds well at the breast and is growing and healthy, then do not stress. Babies let you know when they are hungry and will take exactly what they need.

Looking for the best ideas for a new baby, then visit www.newbabyideas.info to find the best advice on all things baby related.