FSB Author Article
Tips on Baby Time
• Move slowly and calmly
• Talk normally; talk a lot and listen a lot.
• Put words to feelings and actions—yours and your child’s.
• Follow your child’s lead. For example, how quickly or slowly does she like to have her pajamas put on?
• Play music and sing along with her as you change her diaper or say in words exactly what you are doing as you do it.
• Pay attention to the signals she gives you about her sense of timing and try to adopt that rhythm. You’ll be surprised that it doesn’t really add minutes to the overall task because minutes spent following your child’s lead can prevent fussing, crying, and resisting being put in bed—which is what may happen if you rush the process.
Copyright ©2005 Paul C. Holinger, M.D.