A Dad Manual on Babies for Julian

A German-Engineer-Dad-Friendly Field Guide to the First Months — Part III

📘 This is Part III of the Manual for Julian. It follows Part II: Birth and continues in Part IV: Toddlers.

🚼 The Baby Is Born... Now What?

You are suddenly responsible for a tiny human. Nobody hands you a checklist at the door. Here is what the first weeks actually consist of.

🌙 The First Night

It will be exciting, exhausting, and totally confusing — just accept that from the start. Most likely, mama will need to sleep (she just ran a marathon, after all), so dad — you're on shift one. Try swaying, cuddling, and if all else fails: boob (hers, not yours).

You'll be tired, the baby will cry, and you'll question everything. We called the midwife at 2 a.m. on night two, convinced our baby was choking. She wasn't. She was just crying. Classic new parent moment.

Most of the time, newborns cry for one of two reasons: they're hungry or they're tired. Their bellies are tiny, so they need to eat often. And then, they need help settling. Things that mimic the womb are magical: tightness, movement, and sound. Yes — sound. Babies actually find comfort in noise. They've spent months surrounded by the whooshing of blood, the rumble of digestion, and the beat of mama's heart. Silence can feel unfamiliar and even unsettling.

And yes, they love being held close. Until recently, they were curled up tight inside mama, sharing space with her organs. That's why slings, carriers, and other snug wraps work so well. They help babies feel safe, support bonding, and give parents a bit of flexibility. Start baby-wearing early — they get heavy fast, and it's easier to build your strength as they grow.

📆 The Foggy Days Begin

During the first days, weeks, months... Life becomes feeding, burping, changing, maybe crying (you too). Some days you feel magical. Some days you feel like a spilled bottle. All normal.

🥛 Operation Milk Flow

Natural? Yes. Easy? Not exactly. Breastfeeding is a learned skill — for both mama and baby. Support mama — she's doing superhero work. And if things feel confusing or overwhelming, know that it's perfectly normal to go together to a lactation consultant. Asking for help is smart, not a sign something's wrong.

Whenever mama is breastfeeding, bring her water, cranberry juice, or whatever other liquids she craves. Milk is 90% water, so she needs to stay well-hydrated — for herself and for the baby.

In the evenings, babies often cluster feed — nursing nonstop for hours. It doesn't mean anything is wrong or the milk supply finished; it means they're growing. They're prepping their little bellies for longer nighttime sleep. This can go on for quite a while, so it helps to find a rhythm, a ritual, and a way to make it enjoyable. I found that having social time helped pass the hours more easily. So Julian — be ready to entertain. Invite some friends over. Or call someone and keep mama company. It makes a difference.

⚙️ Cranky Belly: Troubleshooting Cramps

🤲 Tummy massage clockwise 🚴 Bicycle legs 🌿 OmniBiotic Panda probiotic (for baby & mama) 💨 Hair dryer warmth (cautiously) 🧺 Warm towel from dryer ⏳ Hold baby upright and wait — it gets better

🍑 The Butt Chronicles

💩 Peeing and Pooping

Babies go through several phases. Expect black meconium at first, then mustard yellow. Green is also common.

Tracking... 🧷 Count 6+ wet diapers a day after day 5 — that's a good sign. 🚨 Red or white poop? Call a doctor.

💥 Blowouts happen. Pack spare clothes — for baby, and for you.

💧 The Great Diaper Debate

Not all diapers are created equal. Check the ingredients — if you don't understand what's listed, chances are it's synthetic or plastic.

We recommend:

🎋 Bambo Nature – Size 1–3, pants from size 4+ 🌱 Tidoo – Great for nights from size 3+ 💚 Love & Green 🧷 Cloth diapers – Reusable and skin-friendly 🐑 Wool pants – Great for layering and breathable

🚫 Avoid the most popular big brands. They've dominated the market with marketing but have not invested enough in clean, sustainable, skin-friendly materials.

💥 Rash Remedies

Red cheeks (on the bottom)? Possible causes include:

💩 Sitting in poop too long 🦷 Teething (acidic poop can burn skin) 🧷 Diaper material reactions (fragrance, plastic, or synthetic cloth) 💦 Best wipes: WaterWipes 🧴 Favorite cream: Weleda All-Purpose Cream

Keep it simple, breathable, and dry. Babies are powerful healers when given a little space to do their thing.

🌒 The Witching Hour (a.k.a. Baby Mayhem Time)

This usually strikes between 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. when your otherwise chill baby turns into a wriggly, wailing gremlin. Crying? Constant. Feeding? Relentless. Sleeping? Not a chance.

Why does it happen? Nobody knows for sure. Some say overstimulation. Some say gas. Some say the baby just had a lot of feelings to process and chose you as their emotional outlet. How sweet.

🪄 What to try:

🤱 Offer the boob again — even if you just did 🎶 White noise, heartbeat sounds, or humming 💡 Dim the lights and reduce stimulation 🚶 Baby-wearing + walking laps 🛁 Warm bath (if baby enjoys it) 🤲 Skin-to-skin contact ⏳ Sometimes, you just ride it out

Good news: It's a phase. Bad news: It might last a few weeks. Great news: You're not alone, and you're doing everything right — even when it feels like you're not.

🤒 If the Germs Arrive…

🌡️ Fever: Up to 39°C is okay — it's a natural defense. To lower it: warm lemon socks + calming energy. 👃 Runny nose: Steam with chamomile or thyme; eucalyptus in a diffuser. 🤧 Cough, stuffy nose: Elevate baby slightly; cut an onion in half and place near crib. 💦 Diarrhea: OSV, rice water, or pomegranate peel tea.

🦷 The Tooth Uprising

Sudden mood swings? Drooling? Gum pain? It might be teething.

🕵️‍♂️ Signs: 👂 ear pulling, 😤 irritability, drooling, red bum, low-grade fever 🌼 Relief: Teetha chamomile powder; 🧊 cold spoons, wooden toys, natural rubber teethers

Hang in there — it passes. Then it comes back with the next tooth. You've got this.

Babies are intense. Every sneeze feels monumental. Every diaper analyzed like a crime scene. But really, all they need is food, sleep, cuddles, and parents doing their best. You're not just raising a child — you're creating a universe.

📘 Continue to Part IV: A Dad Manual on Toddlers for Julian.