Babies come with a mind of their own. I don’t believe they’re a blank slate, but rather already have a distinctive personality. If you really don’t believe me, have a set of twins. Twins are interesting to watch because as far as controlling variables on the nature vs. nurture front, this is as close as it’s going to come. But I digress.
Having been the baby blogger here for soon to be two years (I can’t believe it’s been that long), I often find my e-mail and private messages boxes full of questions on how to get your baby to do this or that. I find the forums full of the same questions. So this is the general ‘how to get your baby to do this or that’ blog written by a mother who has learned a thing or two about doing this or that with or to your baby.
Sleeping Patterns
You cannot force your baby to go to sleep. You can insist a toddler stay in bed, you can insist she say quiet but when it comes right down to it, you cannot force sleep. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t encourage good habits and have a bedtime routine. It’s just to say that there is no magical trick by which you can get a baby to sleep more. The longer I parent, the more I become acutely aware of how much personality is reflective in sleeping habits.
Eating Patterns
Again, eating is another area that parents panic over but have little control. It’s another area in which I have to point out the vital role we play in setting good habits and encouraging good nutrition. But again, when it comes right down to it, you cannot force a baby to physically eat what she won’t eat. This means then, you will have to be prepared to go through the ‘orange food phase’ or the macaroni and cheese stage.
Never Stop Trying
Now parents pay attention carefully because I do not mean to say that because you can’t control sleeping and eating, you should start letting your baby stay up until all hours of the night or eat whatever he or she wants. You are the parent and being the parent comes with the responsibility and the privilege of setting the boundaries. But I am also saying that you might well have to adjust to getting up in the middle of the night for a few months or feeding your baby sweet potatoes for months on end. And it’s okay.
Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.
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