SOOTHING A FUSSY BABY
The first time I heard one of my babies cry, I didn't know what to do, but over time I had developed a plan. It was a quick mental check to discover the source of discomfort- "Is baby wet? hungry? in pain?" Once I did a this quick check with my infant daughter to find a long hair wrapped tightly around her wrist that was troubling her. Another time there was an open diaper pin. "Is baby tired? bored? too hot or cold?" That about covers it in those early days before the child can verbalize his annoyance.
Keeping calm is key. Krishna will supply intelligence.
When baby cries for something he must not have, instead of giving in you can pick him up and softly sing Hare Krishna or other songs until he feels better or finds some other distraction. Here are some more ways to soothe a fussy baby:
Try changing to different positions. If baby is facing backward, for example, turn him around to face forward; lay him down in your arms to cuddle or turn him around to burp him.
Gently swing baby in your arms to rock him or try other rhythmic motions.
Give baby a soothing massage.
Swaddling a very young baby often helps. That means wrapping him up in his blanket to increase his sense of security.
Allow sucking on the breast beyond regular nursing.
Make soothing sounds like humming or singing softly.
Talk to him.
Play with him- peek a boo, paddy cake..., etc.
Place him on your chest to hear your heartbeat.
Most of all, help him out by remaining calm and loving.
"Thank you Lord, for the noise and business of the day. Thank you for these precious children. For I know that this could have been a spotless, noiseless, childless place.”
STAYING HOME
Do not be hurried to take a newly born child out of the maternity home. Asian women, since the arrival of my first born, had advised me to wait at least one month. Prabhupada wrote that high class Bengali ladies of the past waited 4 months (CC Adi 13.118p). One mataji gave me the reason to wait for at least three months is because public places are overstimulating to the child as well as contaminating. Another lady told me a story about a woman who had recently given birth and brought her newborn child before Prabhupada. Prabhupada only asked her, "Why are you here?" and advised her to bring her child home. This is wise because a peaceful environment and lifestyle along with ample rest is also essential for the development of high quality breast milk and frequent nursing, what to speak of the special time for bonding with one's baby.
TALKING
Don’t feel you are wasting time talking to a baby. He always gets something out of it. For example, instead of simply saying "No", when he is running with a stick in hand, go ahead and explain why. Just the tone of your words and concern by a lengthy explanation may induce him to put the stick down. Plus he’s absorbing words all the time.
It’s great fun to walk around and tell baby the names of things. You might keep the word general at first and consistent, then add synonyms and other specifics over time. And instead of talking "baby talk', model good speech for children to copy.
(allposters.com)Your face communicates a lot also. If a child falls down, for example, notice that he will immediately look at your face to see your reaction. If you are not horrified, he will quickly recover. The same with bathing or waterplay. Look happy and calm and speak reassuringly, and soon he'll be doing back floats.
TOILET TRAINING
Toilet training requires patience since a child must learn a new habit. It also requires consistency. Every few hours and after rest times and before bed, put child on the potty.
Also, check on the child that is newly toilet trained, so that he is going to the toilet regularly instead of holding it in out of laziness, or because he is absorbed in some activity. Help out by looking for signs of having to go, such as the child dancing, holding onto his pants...
Reward positive behavior and ignore mistakes. A reward may be praise, stickers and a chart posting his progress.
RECREATION-
Great devotees played with dolls of Krishna and Rama, etc, and fortunate children born in good families continue to do so (SB 2.3.15). Also many traditional children's games may be adapted for remembering Krishna while having fun and exercise.
SAFETY
VEDIC PROTECTION
In sastra are given various ways to protect the child. Foremost, would be the chanting of the Lord's holy names (KB6) tilak, tulsi beads, and the presence of cows.
"Ladies could take charge of protecting a child simply by taking help from the cow...They knew how to wave about the switch of a cow so as to protect the child from all types of danger. There are so many facilities afforded by cow protection, but people have forgotten these arts." SB 10.6.19p
If you don’t have a family cow(s), you might want to keep images and pictures of cows on the altar and around the home and or adopt a cow.
The continuous blessings, with palms raised, of senior family members and saintly persons is also importanṭ.
If you put tulsi beads on a baby, use string that isn't too difficult to break, just in case.
Also there's the tying on of talismans and kavacas and marking the child with the lamp black from a cooled lamp that had been offered to the Lord in artik. A dot is then formed on the forehead or side of the face to ward off dhristi or the evil eye (Also avoiding talking good about your family).
Furthermore, Prabhupada wrote that when a child sucks his mother's breast nicely he is free from danger. (KB 7)
CHILDPROOFING
- Keep any poisons such as household cleansers tightly closed and out of reach. Even better is to not keep such things at all or at a bare minimum, and choose more natural, less toxic or non toxic materials.
- Beware of leaving out things like colorful shampoo that looks good to eat.
- Also beware of houseplants and other natural poisons child may contact.
- Cover any exposed electric sockets, but watch out. Sooner or later baby can remove the covers.
- Protect baby’s’ head from getting bumped or hit. Don’t allow running in the house.
- Cover sharp edged furniture or remove it.
- You should be able to see and hear your baby at all times or have competent help.
- In my opinion, baby-sitters and nannies are only valuable working alongside the mother. A mother should always be available to her below five year old child (unless there is some emergency). The fact is, I know many children who were abused by non relative caretakers. Furthermore, the mother's presence builds a sense of security and trust and an important bonding between the mother and her child, not just the babysitter.
MORE TIPS
Whenever you put on chapstick, wash your hair, cut your nails etc, rinse your mouth after eating, do the same for your younger children. Whenever you drink water ask if they want a cup of it, too.