The Dummy Fairy

I was like a lot of first time mums when we started our parenting journey. I was totally convinced that I would breast feed, I wouldn't create bad sleep habits by rocking her to sleep or driving around at 2am like a zombie, and above all else, I would never, under any circumstances, let her use a dummy. They're bad for their teeth and speech development, don't you know.

Funny how once you're actually in "it" ("it" being the almost unnerving land of parenthood) all of those defiant personal beliefs fly out of the window..... in a flash.

After hours of ear splitting screaming and agonising writhing when the dummy works why wouldn't I make both of our lives easier? Actually, why wouldn't I make the lives of our entire household, including the cat's, plus our neighbours' lives a little easier?

The dummy made sense for me and my baby. Little Lena was bottle fed because she couldn't latch. This meant that she couldn't blithely suckle away for comfort like the babies of those exhausted and amazing breast feeding mothers. She also had the most horrendous reflux. The sucking provided great relief for her not only because it was distracting but the additional saliva also eased the acid burn that plagued her throat.

We were lucky that the reflux only lasted until she was fully weaned. I thought about removing the dummy then but it suddenly morphed into the most amazing sleep cue. We've never really struggled with nap times or bedtimes because her bunny and dummy were a clear sign post of what was to come.

Lena Loves: That's not my..... books

If you get only one book for your new baby it should be a That's Not My..... book, part of the Usborne touchy feel range. The variety is immense from cats and dogs to dragons and fairies, you're sure to find one that your little bundle will adore.

They all follow the same format which is that you're trying to find your lamb/puppy/lion/dolly. Before the final page where you do actually find your car/penguin/tractor you find ones which aren't. Either because their paws are too fluffy or teeth are too shiny etc. There is also a little mouse on each page hunting with you which is a detail we found came into its own when Lena hit 13 months and was so pleased to find things that you were pointing out. Even awarding herself little rounds of applause after each correct find.

Snapshot: Books at 19 months

 

We are very lucky that our little Red Riding Hood is turning into quite a bookworm. Apart from the frequent demands for an episode of Raa Raa the Noisy Lion, she does appear to be finding contentment in a good book or twelve. So much so that we will soon be jumping on the Ikea spice rack shelving system that most Pinterest Parents have installed..... well, when Ikea finally have some in stock that is. For now she's quite happy with her little stash of books nestling in her bedroom Expedit and Living Room book basket. 

At 19 months here are her top picks:

The Cow that Laid an Egg by Andy Cutbill, Moon Rabbit by Natalie Russell, Wibbly Pig by Mick Inkpen, Colours by Charlie Harper, A Squash and a Squeeze by Julia Donaldson, Dinosaur Roar by Henrietta Stickland, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see? by Bill Martin Jnr