Baby Blues
Every young mother faces some typical problems,which seem harmless and cute in the beginning but become difficult to tackle at a later stage, when they take a gigantic proportion.Every young mother has experienced these problems.
We have seen that all most all children start sucking their thumb or fingers, even before they are a month old. The baby look so cute when she struggles and manages to put the thumb into her mouth. The parents literally enjoy this scene. It is perfectly normal for the babies to suck their thumb. In most cases the baby leaves this habit between six to eight months. If the baby continues this habit after the first birthday, we must make efforts to distract the baby’s attention. According to a research, children who continue to suck their thumb after a year or so feel insecure.
This applies to working mothers more than to stay at home moms. I remember that my daughter used to suck her thumb. I was an inexperienced mother at that point of time. I consulted my doctor. He advised me that I must not pay much attention to this problem till the child is 6 to 8 months old. At this age the baby’s attention can be diverted to colorful toys and in most cases the baby is likely to leave this habit. If the habit continues, then the baby may be made to wear beautiful mittens. The baby will be excited to possess such a colorful mitten. It is most likely that the baby will leave the habit.
Every mother has experienced the baby waking up at night. Most of the mothers breast feed the baby to make her/him sleep. Many mothers complain that they are unable to sleep through the night but they must not feel so. It has been recommended by WHO(World Health Organization) that the baby must be given milk on demand. If you breast feed the baby whenever he/she cries at night, you are on the right track. A few months of sacrifice by the mother, will go a long way in making your baby healthy. At least for the first six months the baby must be given his/her feed on demand. After six months when the baby starts eating complimentary food, the baby can be gradually trained to sleep through the night. At this stage a time schedule for the baby’s food can be planned. Good for both,the mother and the child.
The last point I wish to discuss, is regarding bed wetting. With a little patience you can train the baby in ‘pee’ training right from the time he/she is a month old. Hold the feet of the baby in each hand,with bums resting on your arms or thighs, and make a soft sound, ‘su, su, su’. Initially the baby may not oblige but with patience and persistence the baby will pass urine. After regular intervals, if you repeat this process the child will get used to it. After the baby is one year old he/she must be ‘potty’ trained. A bright and colorful pot is likely to attract the child and will make your job easier.
Usha Menon, a 77-years-old retired educationist, who has four sweet, adorable grandchildren. Last year she wrote a book,”Reverse Gear.” This book is a sort of analogy between her professional and personal life, depicting the travails, ups and downs faced by an average working woman. As a retired person, She is leading a contented life with a loving husband, devoted son, daughter-in-law and two grand daughters. Her doting daughter, son-in-law, and two grand sons, who are very affectionate, look after her and her husband. She is grateful to God that He has, in His grace, given her an opportunity to live a life of peaceful contentment.
