stop babying him...

Out of all the things people say, with respect to giving me parenting advice, I think this advice is the most annoying for me to hear... "stop babying him".

Baby J is now seven months old and he's developing his own personality. In general he's a pretty content baby and he doesn't fuss much (he definitely gets that from his dad). He is also becoming very independent (he gets that from me). This is great because when I do hear him fussing I KNOW there is something bothering him, so I will tend to him. And that's when the comments start... "you're going to spoil him", "let him cry a little", "you're picking him up too much", "stop babying him"...

What gets me is, most of these comments come from people who aren't even around him enough to know his true demeanor. Isn't that how it always is?

First of all, he's still very much a baby, so I don't see anything wrong with "babying" him. Second, ever think that maybe he's such a happy baby because I DO tend to his every cry? There are hundreds of articles that support 'Attachment Parenting', suggesting that it improves baby's development and behavior. Lastly, there's this little thing I've been developing since I was pregnant... Instinct. If my instincts tell me to pick him up, console him, baby him, guess what? That's what I'm going to do.

Every baby is different, we all know. What works for one is not guaranteed to have the same effect on another. I don't know every baby, but I do know mine, and if I hear him cry you better believe I will be there to tend to him. There will come a time when he won't want my hugs and kisses because it won't be "cool"... So while he still likes my cuddles, I'll give them to him whenever he cries.