Benjiman Buttonless (week 2)

After a week on the boob our little man is less like Benjamin Button and more like his older sister, it’s amazing the difference a week makes. The extra skin is being filled out nicely. Eyes are opening more as he follows your voice and focuses on you when he is awake.

Babies are incredible chick magnets! If you have the choice, have a baby before you have a wife as women from the wood work will trip, swoon and queue in line for a cuddle. It can be difficult to keep track of your baby as they get passed around the room but with friends at a dinner party it is OK. In a pub setting it’s easier to lose track. Breastfeeding makes it hard to be away from Mom too long without screaming but if they are bottle fed then heading out with some mates for a pint is a good option to give the primary caregiver some rest, as well as earning brownie points for yourself and catching the game. 

I don't mind the baby crying as they are babies and that's what they do. You will spend some time trying to stop your baby crying especially if they are colicky. Mine are not and thank god for that! I pity you if yours is. Tag team is the best way to attack a crying baby and change up often. Give your partner frequent breaks as it can be distressing and wearing on your patience. If you need some time, it is OK to put them down and leave the room. A stressed, frazzled, sleepless and frustrated parent is easily achieved and is no good for anyone. Let them cry it’s what they do!

What I can’t stand is a hungry crying baby because as a man I just want to fix the problem. Whilst my breasts are ample and soft they do not produce milk so any excursion away from the baby for the Mom must be timed to perfection. Singing, walking, or rocking are great to subdue an irritated infant but to buy yourself for some time when they are hungry, offer them the knuckle of your finger as a makeshift nipple for them to suck on.

He is sleeping lots still but what you don't want to do is be quiet to get him or keep him asleep. Get them use to noise while sleeping, the TV, radio or vacuum cleaner, anything that makes noise. To have them able to sleep with noise about is perfect as it will condition them as they get older and ensure you don't become one of those patronizing parents that say, "shhh our baby is sleeping". Adapt your child to your life, bring them with you, and throw them under the table at a restaurant or pub. You are the parent and in charge, you need to get out and you need continue your life as normal or your wife will go crazy which will of course be your fault and ultimately drive you crazy. Having a baby does not need to be social suicide though it’s an easy trap to fall into. Pressing on with your life is also a great beginning to having a social and outgoing baby.

One thing I am still getting use to this week is having my wife as a drinking partner again. At first it was odd to be at home enjoying an ale or three alone while cooking dinner (OK not really) but that soon passed. Now that my wife is going to the fridge and grabbing my beers, I was a little taken aback by this. It’s a social aspect within in my culture and for us that has been missing. “Whaaat! Breast feeding Moms can’t drink" you say, actually they can. It is equated to drinking and driving, if you can drink and still drive then you can breast feed. Any alcohol intake still has to be processed by the liver prior to entering the bloodstream and then the milk. 

Good news all round as you still have your driver!

Prost!