*The Beach Boys
Ok so as you may have read in my previous post, I am a full-time nanny to my niece who is barely two months old. Prior to this setup, my childcare experience consisted of the babysitting gigs I snagged from the parents of small children in my neighborhood a year before I was old enough to acquire employment out in society. That was when I was 14. Fast forward to 25, and I've landed my next comparable mission.
Now, in these last 11 years I've had plenty of jobs. I've been a cashier, a sales associate, a hostess, a server (waitress), a data entry clerk, the assistant manager of a boutique, and a bank teller. Yes, that's a lot. And quite an array. But they all have at least one thing in common: in these positions I interacted almost exlusively with adults. My personal life is no different. I surround myself with people my own age and older.
Given my background, do you think I knew what I was doing when I volunteered to quit my job in beautiful Charleston, SC and board a plane non-stop to the desert sands of Phoenix, assuming the position as the au pair for an infant? If you answered "HECK NO," you are correct. Needless to say, in this occupation I need all the help I can get! Thankfully, over the last two months I have discovered several things--in particular, the Happiest Baby on the Block video, Miracle Blanket, and Homedics SoundSpa sound machine--that preserve my sanity. I know not many are in my particular circumstance, but if you are in similar need, I'd like to share these mind-saving secrets.
The Happiest Baby on the Block video is an amazing DVD created by Dr. Harvey Karp, who very thoroughly explains the baby calming reflex and how to activate it. According to Dr. Karp, infants in their first three months of life are still more like fetuses than babies. He calls it the fourth trimester. He then goes on to explain that what calms them is simulation of what life was like in Mommy's tummy. Enter the Five S's. These points would be worth their weight in gold if they were tangible objects. To get the full details, including demonstrations, you'll have to buy the DVD. You can order it, or the printed version, on Amazon.com.
Next is the Miracle Blanket, which is designed specifically for wrapping your baby up like a burrito. To you it may look like a form of torture strangely resembling a straight jacket, but for infants it's comfy-cozy. When my niece is fussy, I almost always go for this swaddle made easy. If your little bundle of joy is not accustomed to the position of arms down by the sides of the body, he or she may not comply at first. However, once securely fastened and back in your arms, you will soon hear the sweet sound of a calm baby.
Note: Make sure you wrap your baby snuggly in this blanket. Otherwise, arms and legs will break free, rendering this product not-so-helpful.
Finally, the Homedics SoundSpa sound machine. This is just a normal sound machine. I think this particular one is marketed for adults, but it miraculously lengthens the duration of my niece's naps. There are several sounds--including waterfall and rainforest, which work the best--three different timer settings for automatic shutoff, and the option of wall plug or batteries, making it portable. I found mine at Bed Bath and Beyond for a mere $20. And the extra good news is that you can use it too!
There are, of course, many other things that help me get through the day. Some of which I may share with you at a later date. These, however, are the staples. You will be thanking me later. You're welcome.
"People who say they sleep like a baby usually don't have one." -Leo J. Burke
"There is no finer investment for any community than putting milk into babies." -Winston Churchill
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