For about six months now I have worked at my university's child care center (Russell Child Care Center in Omaha) in the infant room. And when they say infants, they really mean infants. They range from about four or five months to a year old in the room I work in. They are a variety of shapes, sizes, and personalities, and working with them makes my understand why children are worth it. Basically, they can spit up on your new jeans that you just bought for the new school year and you'll still think they're the best thing in the world 30 seconds later. In addition to that little tidbit, here are five things I've learned about working with babies.
1. It’s not the baby's fault.
This is something like a mantra I repeat in my head when a child starts screaming with lungs you didn't know could exist in a nine pound bean, or creates what we like to call a "blowout" in which they poop so ferociously that they get it all over their pants outside of the diaper. Because it's not the baby's fault. They cry because they need to - needing either food, or a change, or sleep, or attention - there's no other way to communicate. They spit up and drool and poop and sneeze because those are simply all human functions that they have no control over - though how they manage to sometimes do all four at once is a mystery. It really is important to remember that they're new to the world, and they're helpless for the most part, so they need us to take care of them.
2. They love unconditionally.
And you kind of love them back. It's impossible not to once you've spent a little time with them. Between feeding them, rocking them to sleep, and soothing them when they're crying, you create a little bit of a bond with them. They trust you to take care of them and you love that they depend on you for that. Many are quick to smile, and giggle when you play with them, and similar to kittens though minus the claws, they start climbing your legs if they want to be picked up. They just want to snuggle all day long, and you wish you could indulge them. Not to mention they're just too darn cute.
3. Babies are very easily distracted.
This can be very helpful, such as when waving a toy in front of them while they're crying to catch their attention to make them stop crying is successful. This becomes unhelpful when you're trying to feed them and they're arching their back and turning their heads to try and see who's crying in crib number five across the room. I find singing to them helps in some cases, but not all. Finding a way to keep the baby's interest in you when you're trying to feed them or rock them is crucial if there are multiple distractions around (i.e. other children, dogs, cats, TV).
4. You have to talk to them.
We are always coached to talk to the babies, almost continuously if we can. This helps them build up a language and corresponding vocabulary in their head when they eventually get to speaking. Reading to them is equally helpful. Talk to your baby. Brains are a muscle just like any other muscle in the body - it needs to be worked to be strong.
5. Real denim does not belong on a baby's behind.
This is more opinionated than the rest, but whenever I've taken care of a baby wearing real denim jeans, I pity them. They're not flexible enough for full range of movement, they tend to be tight around the waist, and they are rougher than any other type of typical baby clothing. There is no reason to have a baby wear real denim - leggings, soft sweatpants or other soft, flexible pants are much more practical. They need a full range of movement and comfort when learning how to sit up, crawl, and walk.
Thank you for reading, and I hope this was helpful!
