During my training my mind was so filled with complicated medical problems and treatments that I didn’t learn many of the simple things about taking care of babies. So when I started having kids I thought, “Cool. Now I’ll learn all the really important stuff that I need to know on a day-to-day basis as a pediatrician.” I learned how to change diapers, burp the baby after feeds, maneuver those wiggly little arms and legs into outfits, and even how to snap all the right snaps together when dressing the baby. I tried to do as many of the little things as I could to help out my wife. But the reality is, my wife still did most of those everyday little baby chores.

A mom with a new baby asked me a very simple question that I’m sure had a very simple answer . . . but it was one of those things I had never done for my own kids. She asked me, “How did you manage to clean your baby’s ears?”

“I handed the baby to my wife” was my answer.

“How did you cut your baby’s fingernails?” she then asked.

Long pause . . .

“I handed the baby to my wife”.

It was then that I realized that there were a few things I never actually did with the kids that I probably should have. But the more I thought about it, I concluded it wasn’t my fault. I doubt my wife would have even let me near the baby’s fingers with a sharp instrument. And as for those ears, I don’t even remember my baby’s ears being dirty. I suppose my wife must have taken care of that too.

I’m sure there are plenty of little everyday baby things that my wife did that I never got to learn. But what am I supposed to do? Have another baby just so I can learn how to cut nails? I don’t think so. Maybe I’ll just ask a few patients if I can cut their baby’s nails, just for the experience. Any takers? Let me know at your next appointment.

Dr. Bob