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Your parenting questions answered
Dr Carol Cooper, iVillage's parenting expert, hosted a live online chat, answering your questions about 'the early years'. If you missed it, here's a sample of some of the questions Dr Cooper fielded
Q: My little boy is 13 weeks old and he keeps stuffing his hands in his mouth, trying to chew my fingers off and dribbling most of the time. His gums don't feel hot to the touch, although there are some definite bumps appearing. Do you think he has started teething this early? Also, he was 10lb 3oz at birth (now 15lbs) and looks the size of a six-month-old.
snoopynut2001
Dr Carol Cooper:
First, to get one thing out of the way, there's no link between size and the age at which teeth come through. Your baby may be teething, especially if he's dribbling, but it's not due to his impressive weight. Actually, the 'mouthing' behaviour may just be normal three-month-old stuff, as that's when a baby usually discovers the fact that hands and mouth go together beautifully.
Waking up at night for feeds, draining his bottles (if bottle-fed), weight tapering off, and appearing unsatisfied by milk feeds can all suggest that a baby might be ready for solids. As a rough guide, the larger the baby, the earlier you can start solids, though four months should probably be the earliest. Baby rice would be a good first solid food. However, your best bet is to talk to your health visitor about his feeding.
Q: My 18-month-old is very clingy to me, to the point that cooking a meal, making a cup of tea and even going to the loo is a nightmare. Is it just a phase?
lizzie911
Dr Carol Cooper:
Your son is clingy for a reason: he needs you! This will improve and yes, it is a phase. I can predict that he won't be clingy when he's 16. In fact, some of the most independent young adults I know were once so closely attached to their mums that you could have mistaken them for barnacles.
I think you just have to give him what he needs for now, and console yourself with the reassurance that he will grow out of it. If things are getting too much, and I can quite understand why they might, then try to get some practical help with stuff like chores and shopping, so that you can do the things only you can do: be a Mum.
Q: My son is nearly 19 weeks old and hardly ever sleeps during the day. How can I settle him down for a couple of naps throughout the day, so he doesn't get so tired that he won't stop crying?
moonchild84
Dr Carol Cooper:
The answer is that your son probably doesn't need much sleep, although he gets very tired towards the end of the day, so he needs more rest than he's getting. It's unusual at this age not to nap at all, but babies differ a lot. One consolation is that your son sounds very alert and lively, and that's a good indicator of natural curiosity and intelligence.
You could take him out in his pram or buggy at a regular time each day, for instance every afternoon, which may make him nod off. Another possibility is baby massage, if you haven't yet tried it. This can be very relaxing for a baby, and he may sleep afterwards.
If he doesn't sleep whatever you do, you may have to accept it, and make do with some quiet time instead, which can be restful in its own way. Just hold him quietly and play some music, or read him a story. Half an hour at a slow pace can help recharge his batteries (and yours too).
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