How many times have we all heard this? New moms just love to get advice, don't we? Well one of the most common things I've heard is that if I keep picking up my baby whenever he cries, I'm going to spoil him. Or if I go to him, every time to check on him, that he'll be spoiled...
Now here's what I actually do...
Baby starts crying... I give it a few minutes to see if he's actually waking up or if he's just between sleep cycles (which means he'll fall right back asleep). I also check the clock to see what he may want - has it been a while since I last changed or fed the baby? He eats 4oz every three hours pretty consistently. If everything (basic needs) is done and the baby just wants a little attention we move on to step 2. So now I might give him his pacifier or I might just rub his back a little. I could distract him with a game of funny faces, peek-a-boo, or sing a song. Of course, I check to see if he feels too warm or too cold. Now if none of that works, then I'm going to pick up my baby! I don't think that makes him spoiled or me a bad mom... I think it lets him know that if he needs something he can always turn to family. It lets him know that he can trust people. Now all that being said, he's not even 2 months old yet. When he's older I may change this philosophy, especially when he gets older and he can start to communicate his needs. (I'm thinking about trying baby signing so he can communicate earlier)
I know that advice givers mean well, but they're usually the same people who also picked my husband and me up every time we cried (or did the same with their children). I know they're trying to save us from having to carry him around for the next 10 months, but hey, I think it will be good for my upper body strength!
No comments:
Post a Comment