It’s okay (and wise) to set baby down somewhere safe and contained and go take a break. If you’re worried about it, set a timer and take breaks on a regimented schedule.
First of all, thank you for an actually empathetic comment and great advice. My demon baby is now a happy preschooler.
I will say with my previous child, I thought I knew more than I did because they were such an easy baby. Now I know better and I constantly coach tactics, like the ones you describe, to new parents.
In my SEA culture, parents sleep with their babies, meaning a crying baby will immediately find a teat to suckle on while the mum sleeps on.
We also are very physical with our babies, hugging and picking them up immediately when they cry. Every able bodied adult and even older siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles will also do this for you. Our babies grow up well adjusted and have good emotional attachment with their parents and extended family.
I mean, that sounds like it’s should be self-evident but sometimes people are stretched too thin by the nuclear family or even single parent expectations of Western society to realize they can’t do it on their own. Worse, the expectation of one parent per child means if you don’t have existing family, you don’t have a chance at being a parent unless you give up your life.
To be fair, it seems that all too often a baby with these issues turns out to have a genetic issue like Autism which is the source of their distress rather than anything the parents can relieve.
I have mild PTSD from the lack of sleep and constant screaming. I wouldn’t wish a colicky baby on my worst enemy.
In case you haven’t heard this today:
First of all, thank you for an actually empathetic comment and great advice. My demon baby is now a happy preschooler.
I will say with my previous child, I thought I knew more than I did because they were such an easy baby. Now I know better and I constantly coach tactics, like the ones you describe, to new parents.
In my SEA culture, parents sleep with their babies, meaning a crying baby will immediately find a teat to suckle on while the mum sleeps on.
We also are very physical with our babies, hugging and picking them up immediately when they cry. Every able bodied adult and even older siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles will also do this for you. Our babies grow up well adjusted and have good emotional attachment with their parents and extended family.
lol I don’t think you intended it be but literally the second comment on the post is shaming parents which is what this article is discussing.
Says the weak parent with a non sleeping crying baby. Maybe you should be shamed?
lol imagine writing and posting this comment.
I mean, that sounds like it’s should be self-evident but sometimes people are stretched too thin by the nuclear family or even single parent expectations of Western society to realize they can’t do it on their own. Worse, the expectation of one parent per child means if you don’t have existing family, you don’t have a chance at being a parent unless you give up your life.
To be fair, it seems that all too often a baby with these issues turns out to have a genetic issue like Autism which is the source of their distress rather than anything the parents can relieve.