Research help - Calling all mommies and daddies!

[zinnith]

So, I'm writing a fic in which there is a baby. Not having any children myself, I know absolutely nothing about them other than that when you have one in your lap and she's smiling and gurgling at you, it might be because she's happy, but it could also be because she's in the process of pooping on your new pants.

The baby in question is about three months old. Where would she be in her development? Would she smile at strangers? Would she let a stranger hold her without fussing? What about eating and sleeping habits? I know there's a lot of general info out there, and I know all children are different, but it would really help me to get some info from real mothers and fathers.

How about baby sitting? Would you feel comfortable running off to the store for an hour or so and leave your napping child with two guys who don't have a lot of experience with small children? (And by 'two guys' I mean John and Rodney, who'd rather die than let anything happen to her...)

Then there's also the issue of breastfeeding and alcohol. If the mother used a breast pump in advance, would she be able to have a little wine with dinner? I know there's a big debate on this and I don't judge anyone - I just want to know your opinions and feelings!

So... help please? *makes puppy dog eyes and offers Entangled Particles-fic*

Comments

[erda-3.livejournal.com]

Where would she be in her development? Would she smile at strangers?

Some babies smile more and earlier than others,it seems to be a basic temperament kind of thing.So she might.

Would she let a stranger hold her without fussing?

Again, that varies. Most babies that young will take it fine,especially if the person is willing to walk them around a bit.

What about eating and sleeping habits? Generally breast fed babies eat more frequently than formula fed, like every two hours or so.

How about baby sitting? Would you feel comfortable running off to the store for an hour or so and leave your napping child with two guys who don't have a lot of experience with small children? (And by 'two guys' I mean John and Rodney, who'd rather die than let anything happen to her...)

If I knew them well, and it was just for an hour or two on a single occasion, I think it would be fine.

Then there's also the issue of breastfeeding and alcohol. If the mother used a breast pump in advance, would she be able to have a little wine with dinner?

The medical opinion seems to be that we do not know how much alcohol is too much, so your best bet is to not drink at all while breast feeding. Pumping makes no difference as the body is making new milk all the time, and in fact, pumping stimulates the body to produce more, so that would seem to me to be the worst time to drink.

Hope that helps.

[zinfic.livejournal.com]

That helps a lot, thank you so much! What I really meant was pumping afterwards, but it doesn't matter as the wine has no relevance to the story anyway... just want to get my details right and my character is a responsible mother ;)