Advice for new fathers
Congratulations on the birth of your baby! We know that this is an exciting time for you. That is why we have included this page specifically for you. Hopefully, this information will help you with the many challenges of fatherhood.

We at Wyeth know you'll be a terrific father, and we wish you and your new family the very best for a happy and healthy future.

The first few days at home
When your partner comes home with the baby, your role as a father is mainly one of support. Because your partner may be tired and may have been advised to avoid strenuous activities, your help with everyday activities will certainly be appreciated. One of your important tasks is help ensure that your partner follows her doctor's advice. This will enable her to return to her normal activities more quickly. And your baby, now adjusting to new surroundings, needs you as well. It is an exciting, yet demanding, period of adjustment for everyone.

Newborn babies need a lot of sleep.
Most new babies sleep between 18 and 22 hours a day. Babies do not require absolute quiet to fall asleep. In fact, it is not advisable to accustom baby to sleeping in total silence, because then he or she may awaken at the slightest sounds. On the other hand, it is wise to avoid loud noises and bright lights, which may startle and wake your baby.

Babies do cry!
The major means of communication a newborn has is crying. Generally, babies cry when they are uncomfortable, hungry, or wet. Feeding and changing diapers will be discussed later, but there are several other ways to soothe a crying baby.

When crying occurs for no apparent reason, your baby may just need attention. Hold your baby close to you. The sound of your voice or a rocking motion often will quiet the baby. If all efforts fail and the problem doesn't appear related to the need for a feeding or a diaper change, you may wish to consult your physician or health care professional.

Holding baby
Your baby's head and neck muscles will not be fully developed until about the third month. Until then, you will have to support the head and neck. When you hold your baby, be sure to support the head gently with your hand and the neck with your arm. Always keep the back of your baby's head supported, so that it doesn't flop forward or backward. When lifting your baby from a lying position, provide support by slipping one hand under the neck and head and your other hand under the buttocks.

Changing baby's diaper
A baby's diaper should be changed whenever it is wet and after every bowel movement. The stool of a newborn may not always have an odor, so check frequently to see if the diaper needs changing. Newborns may need up to 8 or 9 cloth or disposable diaper changes a day.

Changing diapers often will help reduce the chance of diaper rash, which is frequently caused by irritation from stools or urine. Before you give the baby a new diaper, wipe the baby's bottom clean following a bowel movement. It is not necessary to wash your baby's bottom after a wet diaper change.

Dressing baby
If you and your baby are going to be alone for a few hours, you should know how to change baby's clothes in case they become soiled. As a general rule, baby will be most comfortable when dressed in one layer more than you. If you are worried that your baby is not warm enough, touch baby's arms and legs. If they feel cold, put on an additional covering.

Most babies tend to move around quite a bit, so keep a good hold on your baby when changing clothes. Don't underestimate your baby's mobility. When you are dressing baby, never leave baby alone, even for a moment.

When you put shirts and sweaters on your baby, gather up the top of the garment, pull it over the back of the head first, and then pull it down past the forehead and nose. Next, gently put baby's arms into the sleeves. When removing the sweater or shirt, pull baby's arms gently through the sleeves first. Stretch the sweater from around the neck and lift it up past baby's chin, nose and forehead. Then slip the sweater up and off toward the back of baby's head.

When dad feeds baby
Breastfeeding is best for babies. It provides all the nutrition they need and protects against infection. But if your partner does not breastfeed, your physician may recommend an infant formula. A quality infant formula gives your baby all the nutrients needed for proper growth and development.

Whether your partner is breastfeeding or formula feeding, you can share the experience. If she is nursing the baby, your being there can be rewarding. If your partner is nursing and is unavailable at feeding time, she can express her breast milk, which you can feed the baby from a bottle. If your baby is being fed an infant formula, she can either prepare the bottle in advance or show you how to prepare it. It is important that you carefully follow all the instructions given on the can for proper preparation.

Most new babies eat about every 3 or 4 hours. Write down your baby's feeding schedule and keep it handy. Babies are usually their own best guides as to how much they should take at a given feeding. Generally, a baby will stop and turn away from the bottle, or even fall asleep, when satisfied. Any leftover milk or formula should be discarded.

Burping your baby
You can try to burp your baby in the middle of a feeding—perhaps when baby has stopped to rest—and again when baby has finished. Hold baby over your shoulder and pat very gently on the back until baby brings up the swallowed air. Protect your clothing by putting a towel or diaper over your shoulder in case your baby spits up part of the meal.

Another position for burping is with your baby sitting upright on your lap. Rubbing baby's stomach may help bring up a burp. If your baby wants to burp but cannot, lay baby on the stomach for a minute. Then try burping again, as described above.

To know your baby is to love
In the years ahead, you will watch and help your child grow. These first few months, however demanding they may be, will be the start of many fond memories.

Always remember that the more time you spend with your new baby, the more you will appreciate what your baby has to offer—life and love. Good luck!