Try, Try Again Till You Succeed

What determination kids have... You know the story of the spider that tried to climb the wall again and again... try, try again till you succeed. You only need to look at your child to see this in action.

Experiment
You need a baby who is now moving (forward, backward, rolling, crawling, toddling). Place an object that you know will capture their attention in their vision. Wait patiently. They will do everything possible to reach this object. You pull them back. They will again try to make their way to the object.

Warning: They can be pretty fast. Therefore, avoid keeping dangerous or valuable objects.

They are so determined! My son crawls a distance, sits and then scans the area for interesting objects. He sees his toys and continues to check for greener grass. When he spots something that cannot be categorized as his toy, he very determinedly makes his way to it. It is really cute! I feel so terrible when my son successfully reaches the mobile/remote/wire and I have to pluck it out of his hands. Poor thing, all that effort for nothing.

Have you noticed that you don't actually have to buy them toys? They love playing with non-toys such as vessels, remotes, wires, cell phones, polythene covers, newspapers, shoes, door mats and so on. When they are through playing, they also like to taste it. It is pure pleasure to watch a baby in action!

Is he hungry?

Baby cries... people ask, 'Is he hungry?' You say 'No, I just fed him half an hour ago.' Baby continues to cry and people say ' I think he is hungry. Look at his stomach, it is flat. There is nothing in it. He is a baby, if he pees twice he will be hungry again.'

Why do people always assume that the baby is crying because he/she is hungry? Babies cry. It could be because they are hungry, thirsty, sleepy or they are feeling hot, cold, uncomfortable or are just simply cranky. Try feeding your baby out of turn and see how he/she is totally disinterested after a few sips. Bottle feed goes by the clock. Babies never feel hungry out of turn. Remember the time you fed your baby and you will always know when your baby is really hungry... Milk is not a magic portion and it is definitely not the answer to everything.

Soiled Diaper - Help!

Yesterday, I had gone to a hotel. I think it was called Ethelle or something (it didnt register in my mind). We were waiting for food to arrive at the restaurant, when I realized that I had to change my baby's diaper. The only restroom was located in the lobby and this was so small that there was no way I could do what I had planned. So I approached the reception and explained the situation and asked whether they had a restroom which had a changing table or some area where I could change the diaper. They looked quite disinterested and said that they had only one restroom (some hotel!). I had to take my baby to the parking lot, lay him down in the car and change his diaper. With a cranky baby, changing diaper in the car can be quite comical. This made me conscious to the fact that few places have this facility.

I really appreciate lifestyle for their feeding/mother's room. Lifestyle provides a baby lotion, nursing pads for the mother(!), baby powder, baby wipes, and nappies. (This is why I love lifestyle. Well, also because of the clothes :)) This room was also there in the airport. A huge room with two neat beds, a TV (!), a wash basin and curtains for privacy. When I had gone to SKC, a shopping complex, they had asked me to use the trial room. At least they offered something! I think more places should have such facilities. Makes our lives so much easier.

Life Transformed

How life changes after the birth of a little one...

• We become more health conscious. Since you want to feed your kid healthy food, you end up eating healthy too. You stop dining out so often (Not because you are health conscious... But because your kid has started yanking stuff off the table and/or refuses to stay in one place.)
  
• We become more sensitive to traffic etiquettes. I grit my teeth whenever a car honks like crazy while crossing my street. (They tend to these every time my kid is sleeping. And he is one light sleeper...)
• We ensure that the house is spic and span (at least the floor and any other areas that the baby can reach). Since we need to ensure that nothing that has the potential to be put in the mouth is place on the floor, the house is cleaner.
  
• We are more active. Taking care of a baby is no easy chore. You get to rest only when the kid is sleeping. When he/or she is not sleeping, you get to constantly change their nappies, follow them around to ensure they don't get into trouble, ensure they eat when they are in a mood to play, rock them for hours to make them sleep....
• The baby becomes the center of your universe. You plan things around them. Can I take him to the movie? Can I go to the parlour leaving him behind with hubby? Can I go shopping? Can I just relax now?
• You become a pro at multi tasking. You learn to do several things at the same time.
  
• You enjoy the smaller things in life. A tiny smile your way, warms up your heart. The first time they turned, the first time they moved forward, the way they play, their angelic faces as they sleep, the gurgles and sometimes a moment of peace and silence.
• Other people are more friendly to couples with children. They smile and the kid and then exchange pleasantries with you. They are very warm to mothers.