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WEST WINDSOR: Hamilton dad helps soon-to-be fathers prepare

Each rookie was tasked with holding Madison, of Hamilton, and more than a few were looking a little nervous; they had just learned newborns are prone to crying, spitting up or going to the bathro

by Charley Falkenburg, Special Writer
WEST WINDSOR — A dozen fathers-to-be sat crisscross on the floor, looking up at their mission: 8-week-old baby Madison, who was cooing and wiggling in the arms of her father, David Munger.
   Each rookie was tasked with holding Madison and more than a few were looking a little nervous; they had just learned newborns are prone to crying, spitting up or going to the bathroom while being held.
   ”I call that the trifecta,” added Mr. Munger, of Hamilton, with a smile. “But in the beginning, it’s going to happen.”
   Mastering the art of baby holding was just one of the many lessons the guys learned when they reported for duty at Princeton Healthcare System’s Daddy Boot Camp off of Alexander Road on March 22. They came in all ages and cultures, but the 12 men enlisted that Saturday morning had one thing in common: they were on the brink of fatherhood for the first time.
   To help them prepare for their own bundles of joy, the class learned the tricks of the trade from Daddy Boot Camp instructor and father of two Geoffrey Maurer and new dad veteran Mr. Munger, who had been in their shoes not too long ago.
   ”Everything I learned in Daddy Boot Camp happened to me in real life,” said Munger. “I came back to share my experiences with these guys and tell them to listen because this is all coming from real dads.”
   The class went over everything from the key essentials needed in their diaper bags to ways to save money on formula and how to change diapers. They also learned ways to combat crying such as swaying, gentle rocking and Mr. Munger’s secret weapon: the baby burrito.
   ”At night, swaddling knocks them right out,” he told the rookies. “Swaddling is going to save your life.”
   The group also got some insider tips such as tweaks to simplify their lives, the usefulness of keeping a log of baby feedings and activities, tricks to alleviate baby gas and how spare sets of baby outfits and burp cloths would soon become their best friends.
   Mr. Maurer also went over several topics such as the dangers of shaking baby syndrome, warning signs of postpartum depression, sudden infant death syndrome, the importance of constant communication with their partners and the inevitable sleep deprivation. The latter is something to which Mr. Munger could attest.
   ”Readjusting to the lack of sleep is testing, but you realize that this is your job and this is what babies do,” said Mr. Munger. “And when they give you that look and that big smile, it is the most incredible experience. Every day I just want to race home, kiss my wife, wash my hands and then it’s Daddy and Maddie time.”
   Before the class came to an end, Mr. Maurer made sure to address several concerns that plagued the dads-to-be. This included how to introduce their new additions to possible pets, when to move a newborn out of the bedroom and into his or her nursery, different kinds of local support groups for new parents, how to deal with unsolicited advice from in-laws and relatives, baby-proofing the house and the necessity of parental teamwork.
   ”There are going to be highs and lows for both you and your wives, but you will be able to get through whatever life throws your way as long as you work as a team,” added Mr. Maurer.
   With that, class was over and each rookie was awarded a certificate to signify he had made it through the preliminary trenches.
   One of them was Mark Dixon, 29, of Princeton. He and his wife are expecting their first child on May 15 and are waiting until the delivery day to find out whether it is a boy or a girl.
   Although the expecting father recalled suffering many a nightmare of clumsiness-turned-awry baby accidents, he smiled as he conveyed his excitement for when his child finally meets the grandparents. He is also looking forward to bringing him or her to their family cabin in the Midwest for the first time.
   When asked about his reaction to finding out he was going to be a dad, Mr. Dixon paused and laughed. He recalled how cautious his wife had been, taking multiple pregnancy tests and getting confirmation from doctors before celebrating.
   ”For me, I was all in before she was — I was really excited,” he added. “She couldn’t believe it was real, but her word was good enough for me.”