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

[liresius.livejournal.com]

Generally, I agree with the above and I think babies take it better being handed to strangers the younger they are. When they get a bit older they are more attached to their main carers.

I probably wouldn't have left my bub with J/R if he wasn't familiar already with them and so I would worry. It's not J or R - God, I'd trust them! It's that the baby doesn't and that I would be (and was) very emotionally attached. Sure, after time, when he's had them around a lot, yeah I would totally do that.

Yeah, best to avoid alcohol. I never drank during breast feeding.

[zinfic.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I seem to remember my goddaughter becoming more and more shy the older she got. The first time I met her she was two and a half months old and didn't mind at all being handed around like an adorable little sack of potatoes, but now that she's older only Mommy and Daddy are good enough...

Thank you for helping out!