New Vocabulary for Dads

You’re going to be introduced to a whole new barrage of terminology as a new father.   Some of it’s legit while other things are just some whacked out stuff someone pulled out of the air as a marketing ploy.   Other things were likely invented by toddlers working on their first words.  Here are the basics that should get you going at least  until month 6.

  • Swaddle – Wrapping infant snugly in swaddling blankets which are incidentally just like regular blankets.  There are some specialty swaddle blankets out there that are killer.   It soothes baby and reduces the chance of SIDS.   Learn it.
  • Colic – A diagnosed condition where a baby is inconsolable and fusses all the time for no apparent reason.  Many people use this term to describe an upset baby generically similar to people declaring they have attention deficit disorder just because they don’t feel like paying attention.
  • Onesie – An infant body suit and probably the most common piece of clothing your baby will wear.   The word onesie is from a name brand and is used generically like Sawzall is used for reciprocating saws.
  • Noonie, Nupie, NuNu, Binkie are all slang terms for pacifier.  I’m sure there are more.