10 things I forgot about babies
Father of two Fraser MacLellan thought he had it all figured out. Then along came the most recent addition to his family, baby Isla
The recent birth of my second daughter has brought back all the things I forgot about babies. As they happen I remember Jess (my older daughter) doing the same things, but before Isla was born I'd never have been able to compile the list below. Here are 10 things I'd forgotten.
1. They are not always asleep when you think they are (part 1)
We've always tried to put Isla into her cot awake as we find it helps her (and Jess before her) get used to her cot much quicker. However, there have been times when that's not been possible and I've found myself walking about cuddling Isla when she's trying to get to sleep.
After a little while I think she's dropped off to sleep and I lower her into her cot but the absolute instant her head touches the mattress she wakes up and lets me know exactly how she feels about the situation.
2. Dancing calms them down
By this I mean me dancing round the kitchen while holding her. Maybe it's just the cuddling while dancing, but there seems to be a definite connection to the dancing as not all songs work. For example, Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake is a sure-fire winner at the moment, but Amy Winehouse doesn't help at all.
3. They're not always asleep when you think they are (part 2)
When they're dropping off in your arms at nap time or bed time you think 'ah there she goes, I'll put her in the cot now, bless.' However, if you keep looking at them you'll see one eye open very briefly to check that you're still there and then close again. This will happen until they either drop off for real or you put them in the cot. See point 1 for further information.
4. Milk drunk
I love that time after a feed when the baby is so stuffed full of milk nothing else works. They loll about all over the place and struggle to stay awake, sleeping while being burped, changed, dressed, etc. However, this soon ends if you try to place them in the cot, as per point 1.
5. They have a built in altimeter
Sometimes, if restless or tired, you need to comfort the baby by walking around, cradling them in your arms and singing or talking in a soothing voice. Most of the above will work depending on the situation, but don't dare stop walking around and trying to sit down. Oh no, as soon as the baby drops below the 'three feet above ground level' threshold then it's back to screaming, wriggling, rigidity and generally giving us parents a hard time.
6. Knowing when to smile (or just being plain cunning)
Our latest daughter has pretty much woken up only once per night since she was born but occasionally has an off night. One such night occurred a few weeks ago where I basically managed a couple of hours sleep on a Sunday night and spent most of the Sunday night/Monday morning walking up and down the bedroom cradling Isla and singing or shushing.
After waking up on the Monday morning tired and grumpy, I decided to go to Isla (who was awake) and make my feelings perfectly clear. As I peered over the top of the cot and made eye contact I was greeted with the most enormous smile and instantly forgot the night before. She knew what she was doing of course.
7. They're not always asleep when you think they are (part 3)
It's so difficult to tell. They lie in the cot, looking fast asleep and as cute as anything, but as parents we just don't know. On one night an entire pipe band (that's bagpipes) could march through the bedroom playing 'Who let the dogs out' and she'd sleep through, but on another night you could drop a feather onto the carpet and she'd wake up in a flash.
8. Their timing is impeccable
No sooner have you sat down to start dinner then they wake up. You've just changed their nappy, mopped up all the poo, got a new nappy on then you hear some strange rumblings from their bum and you have to do it all over again.
9. Snuffling for truffles
When they're hungry and you (or partner) are getting ready to feed them and they are desperately searching for food, it reminds me of a pig snuffling for truffles. Jess and Isla both did this so I assume (hope) it's all babies.
10. They're brilliant
They take up all you're time, they're tiring, they're demanding, they're noisy, they can be difficult to take places but you wouldn't change them for anything. Brilliant.
I'm sure there'll be loads more things coming out in the weeks and months ahead that I've forgotten about but it'll be interesting to see if she continues to behave like Jess did, especially as Jess does some strange things at the moment like call me 'father'. 'Welcome home father', 'good to see you father' etc. We have no idea where she got this from.
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