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- Cradle Cap will disappear
when a baby is about 15 months old regardless of how much
time, energy and money you spend
on trying to get rid of it. Cradle Cap may bother
you, but it does not bother the baby. Among other things,
life is too short to worry about cradle cap!
- The world will not collapse if you
do not change your baby's nappy after every night
feed. If your baby is not prone to nappy rash, your nose
isn't offended and the baby is not upset, putting
a baby back to bed without a nappy change after a night
feed will not do it harm. I changed my first baby's
nappy two or three times a night and all I got
for following the 'rules' was an upset baby.
- I had better whisper this one. Here
goes. . . A newborn baby does not need a bath every
day or even three days. They can get by with regular
and thorough top-and -tailing for weeks at a time if
you have not got the confidence or energy to bathe them.
You will know when the baby requires a daily bath.
- It is worth borrowing expensive
items before you buy them if you can, but then buy
them as soon as possible if you find them useful.
My husband bought a very expensive baby backpack when
our first baby was eight months old. At the time
I was furious - now I wish we had bought it when he was
four months old.
Our second child has practically lived in it - while I cook, while
I hang out the washing, while I shop and - almost incidentally -
when I walk. Other purchases have not been as useful.
A trial period would have saved a small fortune.
- The introduction of solids does
not require precision timing. No doubt you know the
approximate timing and type of food to be introduced.
I did too, but I wanted someone to tell me how many
teaspoons, at what time, when the amount increased
etc.
Actually if you just get the time for introduction about right (between
four and six months) and get the type of food about right (rice cereal,
pureed vegetables or fruit) you cannot go wrong. Your baby's response
and appetite are the best guides.
- There is no such thing as a 'pattern'
where babies are concerned. You are setting yourself
up for endless disappointments and frustrations if you
expect the behaviour of a baby to be consistent in any
way. It is futile to rail against this. More than any
other experience of your life, a baby will force you
to 'go with the flow'. (Unfortunately this applies to
toddlers and small not-so-small children as well).
- Babies are not judgmental.
They seem to know that there is not such thing as the
perfect mother - and love us anyway. When you accept
that there is no such thing as the perfect mother,
you will enjoy motherhood tenfold. If your baby is
happy and healthy - relax. You are doing a great job!
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