Week 37

Does your baby become very distressed when you leave him or her? He or she is still learning that even though he or she can’t see you, you still exist. The concept of time is still new to your baby as well, and he or she’s uncertain when you’ll come back. Here are five suggestions to help make goodbyes easier:

1. Establish a goodbye ritual. Follow through after saying goodbye and leave quickly. Returning or waiting for your baby to stop crying may prolong the distress.
2. Provide your baby with a favorite toy or object to hold or cuddle when you’re gone. Some children are comforted with a blanket or something that smells like you, such as your sweater.
3. Gradually introduce new people and places. Allow time for your baby to become familiar with a new caregiver or place while you’re still there. Begin leaving him or her with a caregiver for just short periods of time and visit new places a few times together before leaving your baby there for longer periods of time.
4. Try to avoid leaving your baby when he or she is tired, hungry or sick.
5. Your baby will take behavioral cues from you, so don’t act anxious or guilt-ridden about leaving. If you make a big production out of it, so will he or she.

Your New Baby

If you decide to introduce pureed meat to your baby’s diet, start with small portions, and be sure the meat is tender, thoroughly cooked, and pureed. Depending on how many teeth your baby has and how long he or she’s been eating solid food, you can try a few small chunks of meat. Remember to introduce new foods one at a time, several days apart. Your baby’s taste buds are still getting used to the taste of food, so don’t add any seasonings including salt, spices, herbs, sugar, honey, butter or margarine. He or she doesn’t need much protein now and is probably still getting enough from your breast milk or formula.

You may want to prepare yourself for your baby’s first bowel movement after eating meat. A good sturdy clothespin should do the trick. I can promise you, after he or she starts eating meat you’ll no longer wonder whether he or she has had a bowel movement or not. You’ll definitely know.

Take a moment to double-check your baby’s sleeping arrangements. He or she will be standing and pulling themselves up soon (if he or she isn’t already), so you may need to lower the mattress in his or her crib so he or she will not accidentally fall out if he or she stands up and leans against the railing.

A Quote Worth Repeating

“Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
~ Lao Tzu

A Tip from the Trenches

Watching you leave teaches your child an important coping mechanism and is an important developmental step. Don’t sneak out – this will leave your baby unsure of where you are and what has happened to you when you’re suddenly gone. Have or the sitter stand at the door with your baby and wave goodbye to you as you leave. If he or she sees you get into the car and drive away, he or she knows you’re gone and won’t spend any time looking for you in the house. It’s an honest approach and your child will respond to it better than if you sneak away.

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