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Going
Visiting With Your Baby
By
Elizabeth Pantley, Author of Gentle Baby Care
Babies
love new places! There’s so much to investigate and new
things to touch. But many people aren’t too happy to have
your little one crawling or toddling freely about the house
exploring everything in sight. While you think its adorable
that Baby found the Tupperware, your host may not think
it’s cute that her tidy cabinet has been rearranged by
sticky baby hands. If your host has a big heart she’ll let
you know that your baby’s exploring is okay. But even
then, you run the risk of your baby breaking or losing
something.
Bring
toys!
The
best thing you can do is bring along a bag of toys to seize
your child’s attention. You can purchase new items, or dig
through your baby’s toy box to put together a collection
of forgotten favorites. Avoid bringing loud toys that may
annoy others, and bring toys that will hold your baby’s
attention for a long time.
Bring
your own supplies
Think
about things that keep your baby happy at home or in the
car, and bring these with you, such as your sling, a
favorite blanket, a Boppy pillow, or a special lovey. If you
are prepared, then your baby will be more content.
Safety
issues
Visits
with a mobile baby are tricky, especially if you’re at a
home that isn’t childproof. If you want to avoid
physically shadowing your baby around the house, bring a few
safety tools, such as outlet plugs and a folding baby gate
to section off stairways. When you arrive, assess the area
and ask if chemicals, medications, or fragile vases can be
put away during your visit. Remember that you’re certain
to miss some hazards, so keep a close eye on Baby during
your entire visit.
Food
and eating
Whether
your baby is new to solid food or has been eating it for a
while, bring along a few favorites. If you don’t bring
snacks with you, your baby may not touch the dinner that’s
served and may cry for her favorite crackers. In any case,
don’t feel you must push your baby to try something new to
the point of a temper tantrum. Politely requesting something
simple like toast or cheese is perfectly okay and will be
welcomed more than a loud and tense test of parent/child
wills.
What
if you’re breastfeeding and your baby is hungry?
Do
what comes naturally: Feed him! Breastfeeding is the most
natural way to feed a baby. If your hosts aren’t used to
seeing a mother breastfeed, then you’re doing our world a
favor by introducing one more person to the beauty of baby
feeding. Be thoughtful about other’s sensitivities. This
doesn’t mean you need to hide, but your efforts to be
discreet are a courtesy for those around you and may help
others feel more comfortable about seeing you breastfeeding
your baby. Using a sling, blanket or nursing shirt are easy
ways to accomplish this.
Changing
Diapers
Bring
a changing pad; this will protect the surface you’re
using. If you don’t have a pad, ask for a towel. Ask where
your host prefers that you change the baby, or suggest a
location: “Do you mind if I lay the towel on your bed to
change the baby?”
Bring
along (or ask to use) plastic bags to store messy diapers.
Make sure that they are sealed so that they don’t create
odors. If you use disposables, put used diapers in a sealed
bag and offer to take them out to the trash. People don’t
like stinky diapers in their bathroom trash.
Sleeping
and napping
If
your little one sleeps in a cradle or crib you may want to
bring along a portable crib. If you don’t have one, or if
you co-sleep at home, this is a time when “anything
goes.” If your baby will sleep in your arms, then go ahead
and enjoy an in-arms nap. If your baby is flexible, put a
blanket on the floor and set up a sleeping nest. Don’t
leave Baby alone, since the area probably isn’t
childproof.
A
great nap solution is to bring your car seat into the house
and strap your baby in securely, or fashion a bed from a
large box or an empty dresser drawer. Keep your baby close
by or check on her frequently.
For
co-sleepers, your first order of business is to create a
safe sleeping place. Inspect the furniture placement in the
bedroom. If you know that pushing the bed against the wall
would make the situation safer for your baby, then politely
explain to your host. Let her know that you’ll move it
back before you leave (and then remember to do so).
Be
prepared for anything
Life
with a baby is filled with surprises. Take a deep breath,
and do your best to keep your baby content....and if things
don’t go as well as you’d hoped, remind yourself that
“This too shall pass.”
Show
your appreciation
If
you’ve had an overnight stay, if your host is helpful, or
if you made special requests during your stay, remember to
send a thank you note that expresses your appreciation.
This
article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by
Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)
You
are welcome to reprint this article on your website or in
your newsletter, provided that you reprint the entire
article, including the complete byline with author's name
and book title. Please also send a link or copy to
elizabeth@pantley.com. Thank you.
Website:
http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth
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