“Ay, ay, ay…it’s Christmas and I don’t have a gift for the you!”. Hey how did this happen, here I was just reminiscing about last year’s new year fireworks, then before I could say “I love kokis” it was the Sinhala Avurudu, by way the I looked real good in my custom made sarong and shirt. Anyways, then the summer and major beach, sun and floating in the pool time came along and Big Sister and I usually have severe sandcastle competition, boy was that stressful after all I am the sandcastle King. I do have a reputation to uphold. Then my favorite holiday arrived, Halloween, not real sure why everyone dressed up like ghosts, witches and goblins but hey all I know there was lots of candy, and my favorite pastime time was going indulging in a bag of candy loveliness on the sly from Mummy dearest. But HEY unwrap the Santa, put by the tree, hang that tinsel and please don’t put any mistletoe near my play pen for Aunt Janice takes it a bit too far with the kissing and the cheek twisting…WHOPPPEEEE it’s Christmas.

Mum in some jovial mood has decided to have her friends and of course their children, over..a double whooppee for I get to hang out with the gang this Xmas, we have a special club call “the poop in your pants” club. YEAH!!!..boy are we gangstar, will crack open a few milk bottle pull a few crackers and share some funny jokes about how we much tormented the parents this year. Unfortunately being only two and mobility being an issue, obviously I couldn’t get proper presents for the pater and mater and nor the pesky big sister..that’s okay I thought, family all you get is extra hugs this year.

Last year since I was still going through a nocturnal phase I did manage to catch Santa putting the presents under tree, but I did get the shock of my life when I saw him kissing Mummy. But in my worldly age od two, I am on to you parents, Santa was actually Dad, I knew my Dad was extra special with super powers, Batman and Spidey eat your heart out, wait till I tell the “poop in your pants” fellow!!! Merry Christmas everyone!!!!!

DO babies get stressed?

Babies are complex creatures, having the inability to talk we sometimes have to watch for any unusal signs to show that they are stressed or in discomfort.

Here are some signs to look out for:

The baby will salute you – essentially this looks like a baby stretching out their hand toward you, and up towards their face.

The baby will extend the arm and splay the fingers apart.

The baby will frown, grimace, grunt.

The baby will all of the sudden start yawning, hiccupping, or sneezing multiple times. 

The baby will arch the back and neck and push away.

The baby will cry.  This is usually a last sign when all other signs have been ignored.

The baby will become frantic and move all extremities wildly.

What can you do?

Breastfeed and gently but firmly snuggle your infant.

Try tucking your infant’s arms and legs close into their body. See if you can help your infant clasp their hands together or to bring their hand to their mouth if they are not nursing.

Try talking to your infant before touching them – let them know you are there!

Hold your baby about 10 inches or so from your face – the distance they see best at first if you are wanting to make direct eye contact. Vision is not the most utilized sense in a newborn!

Turn down the lights; bright lights bother many infants

Swaddling!

Most importantly, decrease the multiple inputs going on – if the other kids are screaming, the dog is barking, the phone is ringing – well, see if you can turn the phone off, calm the kids, let the dog go outside.

Let the baby hold your finger.

By Mayuri Jayasinghe