Basically, at this stage, he is starting to be aware of different situations, and that he has choices, and that he has likes and dislikes. He knows what he wants and exactly how he wants it, but doesnt have the ability to tell you what it is, and he'll be damned if he doesnt get his way, so you have to constantly guess what his preferences are. Make the wrong guess and all hell breaks loose. Be prepared to lose an eardrum or two.
Take going to sleep, for instance. He used to be able to fall asleep just lying there on the bed, while I give him a few gentle pats.
Now?
No... he has to be carried over the shoulder, just so. I have to be standing up, not sitting down. I have to move around the room or create some sort of swaying motion. I have to stroke the back of his head, down to his back and end by patting his bottom (and lather, rinse, repeat). I have to hum this old classic malay lullaby that has been passed down so many generations to my mom (and now to me) that all the words are lost and all that's left for me is to hum the tune.
Only then would he fall asleep.
Izani has also gotten the idea that he has the ability, and the right, to sulk.
If we're slow in providing the milk, he'd wail even when the teat is in his mouth, and he'd push it away and purse his lips. He'd wail again and we'll try to put the teat back in and all we would get is a muffled wail.
We would have to calm him down first, (employing the same method to make him go to sleep) before we could even try to offer him his milk again.
(But when he finally accepts the milk, he'd look at you with these huge round doe eyes, as if saying I'm sorry and you can see that his vision is fleeting between looking you in the eye and watching the reaction on your mouth, you just can't help but smile, which he would translate as an acception of his apology and he would reward you with a dribbly grin.. *sigh*)
Oh he thinks he's got the upperhand, alright.
But i've done this three other times before, okay? I am no amateur.
Now that I know what calms him down and puts him to sleep, I can actually make him go to sleep faster and whenever I want.
Just put him over my shoulder, walk around the room a bit, hum that little lullaby..
and he'll be lulled and it's bye-bye Izani ... , sleep tight!
Bonda will go blog about you now..
*muahahahaha*
Now let's see what the experts in Babycentre say about calming a crying baby.
Is it good for the baby?
"The brainstem (located at the top of the spinal cord near the neck) is the most highly developed area of the brain at birth. It controls all inborn reflexes such as crying, startling and suckling, and it regulates basic life functions such as breathing, blood pressure, heart rate and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep.
The brainstem also handles some components of your baby's emotions, especially anxiety or, on the flip side, calming down. The areas of the brain that control emotions mature early in life and are very sensitive to a parent's feedback. Your patience, attention and understanding are key to helping your baby develop a healthy way to handle emotions. Holding and comforting your child when he cries, especially in the first year of life, go a long way toward helping him develop the ability to calm himself later on. "
Yay!
and this was all within 5 minutes ... !
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