I don’t know why I do it. I don’t know why I sometimes feel the need to cry uncontrollably, maybe I’m practicing for a big solo moment on stage, just recharging my vocal organ. Watch it Mummy dearest you just might be harboring the next great big thing to hit show business. Bollywood here I come!”Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. I don’t know why I feel the need to scream for Mum non-stop for ten minutes or even longer even though she just put me to sleep. I don’t stop the screeching until she comes, I wish she would understand. I could go on for hours or she sometimes sends imposters other than herself, Just Dad doesn’t count, it has to be you Mummy dearest. I don’t know why I need to spit out the much slaved over food Mummy dearest makes for me. The food that she spent ages over stirring, pureeing, sieving…only to be spat out after the first bite and then the said bowl hurled across the kitchen floor the minute she’s not looking. I don’t know why I feel the need to scribble on walls, cupboards…anywhere else other than the book infront of me.

I feel my art cannot be contained, Mummy dearest, to an A4 sheet. I must explore other surfaces, even if it’s your newly cushioned couch and that permanent marker just feels so smooth on the hand. I don’t know why I feel the need to remove my diaper the minute you look away. Sorry that you go through like ten diapers a day, but it feels so invigorating to remove and let all loose into the wind. No Mummy dearest, I know we are not living in nudist camp and no amount of tying, sellotaping or safety pinning is going to stop me from taking that bad boy off. By the way Just Dad did the safety pinning the other day out of pure frustration, is that wise do you think?...I don’t think he should be allowed around little children anymore, so please don’t leave me with him and gallivant off to something called a coffee morning.

I don’t know why I feel the need to scream every time Big Sister comes near me and then you think she’s done something to me and she gets sent off to the corner. HAHAHAH, yes I am evil, but that’s what little brother’s are for, to torment older sisters, she doesn’t mind really she says. She’s okay that one I guess. I don’t know why I feel the need to put every small object found under chairs, in corners, in my mouth. The need to put that paperclip or that 2 day dried macaroni is so over whelming. It’s small, tiny and fits perfectly in my mouth. And sometimes I get surprises like the other day I found a gummy bear from a birthday party Big Sister went to two weeks ago under my bookcase. Ahh, it was a dusty and I think one time it might have been strawberry flavored, but I had now turned a funny blue colour, but it was all still good and I had a great time relishing that. One thing I do know is that after my long and busy days of “I don’t whys”, the kiss and the cuddle from Mummy dearest is the best moment of the day. Bathed, cosy and smelling of powder, Mummy dearest rocks me to sleep, that I do know is the moment I live for.

Why do babies put everything in their mouths?

Until she is about seven months old your baby can't really use her hands and fingers to explore objects. She can grip objects with her hands but she doesn't have the ability to stroke, poke or prod with her fingers yet. However, your baby can control her lips and tongue so she can mouth and gum objects as she pleases. In fact her mouth has more nerve endings per square millimetre than any other part of her body. If she really wants to find out what something feels like, she puts it in her mouth. If you don't want something to go into your baby's mouth, don't leave it where she can get hold of it! Young babies move their fists, and consequently the toy they are holding, to their mouth and start exploring from there. Be careful about what objects your baby has within reach and be sure that she cannot push something down her throat, or into her eye, accidentally. If an object is small enough to fit into your baby's mouth don't let her have it as it could cause her to choke.

Why do babies go through a disrobing phase?

Most children will be able to take off some if not all of their own clothes between 18 and 30 months. "But be prepared, children can often remove their diapers much sooner than that," says Lyuba Konopasek, assistant professor of pediatrics at the New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City. Children also find socks pretty easy to take off. Undressing — and dressing — are early signs of independence, so if your child removes her socks or shirt at a less than appropriate moment, take a deep breath and remind yourself that she's simply experimenting with newfound motor skills.If you're wondering how the ability to undress might affect toilet training, know that until about 3 years old (sometimes even older), most children often need help undressing in order to use the toilet.

Sibling Rivalry

Sibling rivalry refers to the natural jealousy of children toward a new brother or sister. Older siblings can feel jealous when the baby arrives until they are 4 or 5 years old. Not surprisingly, most children prefer to be the only child at this age. Basically, they don't want to share your time and affection. The arrival of a new baby is especially stressful for the firstborn and for siblings less than 3 years old. The jealousy arises because the older sibling sees the newcomer receiving all the attention, visitors, gifts, and special handling.The most common symptom of sibling rivalry is lots of demands for attention. For example, the older child wants to be held and carried, especially when the mother is busy with the newborn. Other symptoms include acting like a baby again, such as thumbsucking, wetting, or soiling. Aggressive behavior—for example, handling the baby roughly—can also occur. All of these symptoms are normal. While some can be prevented, the remainder can be improved within a few months.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe