THE FIRST WEEKS
The idea of bathing our baby scares us! It even seems that for subsequent children, we are always ready to accept the help of a childcare worker in order to (re)gain confidence! The first bath, alone, is like doing a trapeze without a net! We have, in our hands, a little thing that seems to us to be so fragile. We are hesitant and we are terribly afraid of making our baby slide like a bar of soap. Even if for us it's a real acrobatic game, some babies enjoy it without screaming too much. And then there are those who don't like being surprised by this soapy water! Perhaps feeling their mother's apprehension, they vent through beautiful vocalizations. My baby and I were in this group. I was able to transform this moment of stress into a soothing moment by adopting swaddling in water using a diaper ! The bathroom is close to 30°C, we come out all disheveled, mascara running, sweaty and relieved that everything went well.
THE FOLLOWING MONTHS
We are gaining confidence but we are not letting go of our little one! And now our baby knows how to stay seated in the water but the slightest wave carries him away and makes him slip! The feeling of freedom and lightness gives them wings, to try a “4 legs” that turns into a toad! Take questionable initiatives like drinking soapy water.
Discovering games makes the moment even more “fun”, especially when you realize that water flows and water makes you wet (and not just you!). I will remember these baths all my life where my angel became aware of this new play area that was opening up to him! A new glint is illuminated in his eyes.
Bath time takes a (finally!) pleasant and fun turn!.. but until when?
AND MUCH BIGGER...
We are no longer really in control of the situation. Depending on the mood, the idea of bathing is accepted with joy and enthusiasm OR with arrogance and TOTAL rejection. Negotiations may need to be considered to achieve our goals and get our little one into the bathroom! But the game is not over… we just have to put our little darling in the water. Like a cat (crossed) on a basin of water, we strive to get it to put at least one foot in the water while the 37.1°C is BRRUUUUULLLLAAAANNTTT! And in the water, everything is forgotten. The water flows freely as soon as my back is turned with cries for help, while the logic of the mixer is not completely integrated... I'll let you imagine the opposite scenario for getting out of the bath!
O Mom, I did the same thing???
Have a nice week everyone!
-M-
PS: the climate is getting milder. For our oldest, bed sets in cotton muslin are ideal for a beneficial night's sleep! A material that moderates our temperature variations. The ally of our peaceful nights ;-)
