Frustrated in Solon, OH
Hi. Welcome to the very first edition of my column, "Ask a Baby Genius." Due to the large amount of confusion among the babies of my generation about, well...everything, I've decided to start an advice column that, hopefully, will help them deal with hardships of being a baby. Nobody understands a baby like a baby and we have to stick together. I hope you enjoy it.
Dear Baby Genius,For my entire life, my dad has carried me into mom & dad's bed when I cry in the middle of the night. The past few nights, though, when I cry for him to come get me he just stands there and strokes my head but won't pick me up. (??!?!)
I seriously need to get back in between them at night - what should I do?-Frustrated in Solon, OH
Dear Frustrated,
Sounds to me like your parents are trying to make you start sleeping the entire night in your crib. This can become a huge problem because the mattresses in most cribs can't compare with the soft, cozy comfort of a grown-up bed. Also, if you're breast fed like me then you'll lose that instant access which is key to satiating late-night snack cravings.
If your crying in the past hasn't worked, then you weren't working hard enough. Cry harder. If possible - push an arm, leg, or both through the rungs of the crib before your parents come in. If you can't do that, then wrap your blanket around your neck and paw helplessly at it. It sounds simple but it will scare the bejeesus out of them, scoring you a guaranteed pick-up.
Once they pick you up you're in the home stretch. Stop crying immediately and snuggle your face into your parent's chest and pretend to go to sleep. Repeat these steps until they become too terrified to put you back into the crib.
Best of luck!
"Ask a Baby Genius" is an on-line advice column written BY babies, FOR babies.