3m old "scaredy cat"

[CherryBombMama]

thats what everyone calls my ds!

can i have some quick comebacks/answers to these people who think my itty bitty baby is a "scaredy cat"? i mean, its so ridiculous! he is still newborn IMO. i seem to go speechless when someone says something like that.

i guess they call him that cuz he startles so easily, only wants to be held by me (esp in a carrier/wrap) and because he nurses every 1-2 hours. that sounds normal to me but to everyone else in my family, he should be off looking for a job or something

[GoBecGo]

Call them on it, say "yeah he starts college next week, i hope he's ready!" or "i know, with his wedding any day i'm worried they won't be able to make out the "i do" with the breast in his mouth".  They are being ridiculous, highlight it,

[Somemyrrh]

Just smile beatifically and say, I love holding him. Or point out how you cherish your time with him as a newborn. There us way too much emphasis in our culture on making children independent, and lots of folks push their views even onto babies, acting as though a wee one ought to fend for himself. When people comment on how I hold my babies, I just smile at them or say how much I like bonding with them or go with a "they're only small once" comment.

[Knitting Mama]

Yep, I go with the "they're only this little once" or a variation of that. Or I'll say, "Soon enough she'll want her independence from me. I cherish this time."

[colorbywords]

Originally Posted by CherryBombMama 
<<br />

i guess they call him that cuz he startles so easily, only wants to be held by me (esp in a carrier/wrap) and because he nurses every 1-2 hours. that sounds normal to me but to everyone else in my family, he should be off looking for a job or something " rel="http://files.mothering.com/images/smilies/eyesroll.gif">

You just described my DD perfectly! She's 3.5 months and has just spread out her feedings to every hour or so! She jumps ALL.The.Time! Sometimes she's easy to settle, sometimes it really scares her! Once DH pulled out a chair and it squeaked and she screamed and dissolved into crying. Then when I changed her after, she had poopy skids on her diaper and I told him he scared the crap out of her

Anyway, I'm sure they'll grow out of it sooner than we'd like! Can we tell people that?

[P.J.]

I echo sharing the sentiment that this is the only time in his life when he'll be so close to you and how much you're both enjoying it, how fast they grow up and before you know it you'll have a teenager who's embarrassed by you, etc....

[Surfacing]

Originally Posted by Somemyrrh 

Just smile beatifically and say, I love holding him. Or point out how you cherish your time with him as a newborn. There us way too much emphasis in our culture on making children independent, and lots of folks push their views even onto babies, acting as though a wee one ought to fend for himself. When people comment on how I hold my babies, I just smile at them or say how much I like bonding with them or go with a "they're only small once" comment.

Yes, this! My dd1 was like your baby, startled easily, wanted to be held all the time, etc. She is now 5.5 yrs old, very bright, sensitive and vibrant. If your baby feels secure with you, they will eventually get out into the world and do great, because their needs have been met.

Originally Posted by Cecilia's Mama 

Yep, I go with the "they're only this little once" or a variation of that. Or I'll say, "Soon enough she'll want her independence from me. I cherish this time."

[Asiago]

I agree with somemyrrh the previous poster. Forcing independance on babies was, and sometimes still is, a common practice in the western world. It became popular during the industrial revolution when independance equated with success. Separating children from mother was suppose to make them 'strong and independant'. If you look up the name of Dr. John B. Watson and Luther Emmett Holt you'll probably shudder at the advice that was being dispensed  ex.detach from mother so child learns self control, never hug or kiss children and so on.

This is all so ironic as human babies are among the least mature and most dependant of all mammals. Once our ancestors began walking upright there was a limited pelvis size in which to birth such large brained babies, so they are born less mature. Yet some people still try to make babies 'independant' when they literally need everything from frequent nourishment to protection/security just to survive. 

Go figure....

Edited by Asiago - 11/29/10 at 9:25am

[hakeber]

I would probably just bat my eye lids and cock my head to one side screwing up my face into an expression that implied they were being absurd.

"yeah, he's a baby." and then roll my eyes emphatically to drive home the message that their unsolicited opinions were unwelcome.

Or as I do when well-meaning passersby here in Bogota tell me I ought to get DD's ears pierced ASAP which is is to smile and nod wide eyed, as if to say "Okay then, Crazy-lady.  Whatever you say, just back away from the baby, okay?"

Many new babies startle easily...you would too if you couldn't see past your own arm and your own hands came flying out at you without your control smacking you in the head as you try to sleep, or you heard loud sudden noises with no visual warning or reference point. People can be so silly.

[whozeyermamma]

See I like sarcasm -

"Yeah - I keep telling him to buck up and go get a job, but - sheesh - he can't quite hold his head up yet."

or "Yeah - it's pretty awful to have my warm, loving son sleeping in my arms - I can't think of anything more terrible."

or "I know - I mean it's not like he's a baby or anything. Oh wait."

or "I know is stomach is the size of a walnut, but sheesh - can't he wait for his next meal?"

People are idiots.