Kalle Sepp says he has become a skilled dad in a week

Musician Kalle Sepp has learned to wash, change and soothe his newborn daughter in the week since becoming a father, he told ERR’s Ringvaade television programme.

Sepp said he was present at the birth for the first time and tried to stay calm and follow instructions. Watching his partner give birth was difficult, he said, because there was little he could do to help.

The baby was placed on his chest straight after she was born. Sepp said he took off his shirt for skin-to-skin contact, and his daughter grabbed his chest hair.

With guidance from a midwife, Sepp learned to bathe the baby and give her extra milk from a small syringe when needed. He said he can hold her in one hand while washing her under a tap, and has also learned to change her nappy and calm her by singing.

Sepp said he had kept most of September and October relatively free of work, but his schedule was now picking up again. He plans to be at home during the day and take over childcare after returning from work in the evening.

When the baby is fed and changed but still cries, singing or walking around with her may not help, Sepp said. He added that his daughter settles when she is breastfed, something he cannot do himself. He has sung to her since she was first placed in his arms, though she sometimes starts crying again after listening for a while.