Wickergirl's Expeditions: Planet Parenthood

1. Bedtime routine is key From early on it's wise to instil a routine for your baby, because structure is important so that you can understand your babies sleeping pattern and also to help carve that pattern so that your baby gets the rest he/she needs and that you as parents manage to sleep also. If you're a single parent, it will be that much harder because you don't have anyone to tag team with, but you are the boss, so any slacking will make it that much harder if you don't stick to a routine. There's nothing scarier than having a screaming baby all night and you’re all alone in that room. You must lay the law of the land. You're the parent, they are the child. Babies are clever at tapping into the guilt cortex with their varying cries, some of which will make you feel like you're a bad parent. Try not to give into having the baby in the bed with you either, because this will create problems too and further disturbed sleeping patterns for the both of you. It’s also quite dangerous due to SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). The Check-Over If your baby is in the tantrum zone and won't go to sleep or wakes up consistently, firstly do all of the checks. Is he/she hungry? When last did you do your feed? Check the nappy, is it a case of some extra comforting that's needed just for a moment? Perhaps your baby is teething, so this could be another reason for restlessness. Finally check the temperature in the ears and under the arms with these useful devices:
   

1. Baby Handling Caution If you pick up the baby too much, the baby will grow an unhealthy attachment. An example of this is when you sometimes see babies stumbling around aimlessly with their arms outstretched wanting to be picked up. If this is happening all of the time throughout the day, this is a sign of an unhealthy attachment. And, if they cry and throw a tantrum each time you refuse to pick them up, then it's likely you have a child with an attachment issue. It's not to say that babies don’t need comforting and holding because they do, but be aware of just how much you do it.
   

1. The Baby Massage I have always been a great believer of massages. The calming and loving touch from one mammal to another. We as humans really need this affection, it is important. As a child, my mother always used to gently pat my forehead or just hold her warm palm on my head. She sometimes still does it for me when I stay over. I like to execute the rose geranium and lavender essential oil massage. I usually make a mix with olive oil, with just a few drops of each for a baby. Rose geranium is also good for warding away any evil spirits according to my aunty and that you should always start the massage in the centre of the head (please note that my Aunty is an Aromatherapist). Gently massaging the head, the shoulders, hands/fingers, chest, belly-rub, thighs, legs and soles of the feet will calm your baby completely especially after a bath. Ensure that you avoid the genital areas. DISCLAIMER: Always check first with an Aromatherapist and doctor whether this is suitable for your baby especially for allergies and any other existing ailments your baby may have.  These are home from home methods which work for me in both my family and spiritual sense.  If your family are spiritually and alternative well-being inclined, do run this past them first.

2. Angel Music/OM Music/Towelling Method After bath time, wrap your baby in a nice big warm towel (preferably a baby towel with a hood). The towelling method is when you wrap baby up in the towel. Sit next to your baby on the bed, keep them close to you and gently rub them dry in the towel whilst you embrace them. This creates a nice calm and safe cocoon for them especially at their most vulnerable having come straight out of the bath. Imagine it's like coming straight out of the womb into the big wide world, all of the senses suddenly change. Ensure that the lighting in the room is dim and that if you're playing the angel/OM/ or whichever meditative calming music that you feel like, that there is no blue light beaming from your phone/any other device. After the towelling method, you can apply the baby massage. Please note that your baby might even be asleep after the towelling method. You can still do a mini-massage though. Especially on the top of the head and the soles of the feet. 'OM'ing,' also helps if your baby is restless, but remember nice and deep from your core whilst cradling them. 

5.Grandparents  Although grandparents are there to spoil the grandchildren/grandbabies, just ensure that they are not undermining the parent’s word. If the parent has set a rule and precedent, then grandparents shouldn't go against this rule all the time. You'll end up with a conflicted child/baby who'll throw a temper tantrum if she/he is used to getting something she/he doesn't at home. This will cause huge problems in development in the long run. I have seen this first hand where a grandparent felt that her grandchild could do no wrong. She always secretly undid the disciplines her daughter had set for her grandchild. Years down the line, the young girl developed a superiority complex. And, as a result, none of the other kids at school wanted to talk to her and formed other groups ignoring her. The girl then began to suffer from acute anxiety disorder as she didn't have any friends. This is just one example experienced first-hand so it might not happen to all babies/children, but it’s good to be aware of the possibilities. 6. The Baby Swim I can’t encourage the baby swim enough. It’s vital for your child to be able to swim and develop a fearless attitude to the world we live in. It's also a fantastic bonding exercise for any parent and encourages an all-around exercise for you and your baby. I was really surprised to see fathers taking on board the baby-swim. But then again, my dad taught me how to swim imparting the ‘Spartan Method’ (a term donned by my best friend and fellow father Gareth), which is a simulated “Sink or swim” goal-based technique where the child is gradually given farther distances to swim, building confidence using over the top reassurances, things along the lines of, ‘swim these ten inches to me my child and you shall be a god amongst baby-kind!’ What makes these techniques so much better is that they can be introduced by games and play. Let’s face it, you’d rather have your child safely on terra firma than gobbled up by that foul denizen of the deep, the Kraken, or at least be able to put up a fight and swim to shore in a desperate battle for survival.