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

[ariadne83]

I remember reading an article about women who "pump and dump". If they're going to drink they plan it in advance so they can pump extra milk to keep in the freezer, and then after they've been drinking they keep pumping (to keep up the supply) but dump the results (because it most likely has alcohol in it).

[zinfic.livejournal.com]

I read about that too! Glad I'm not the only one. Not that it really matters since the wine isn't important to the story, but it seems to want to be in there so I was just wondering if there was a plausible way for me to keep it.