A child is a gift of life

To my parents:
“Hello. Here I am! You’ve been waiting for me for so long.
Now I’m here and I hope you can give me lots of love and care.
I don’t know anything about worry or stress.
Here I am, And I just want to be with you.”

Not so many parties or visits to restaurants. Soft hugs are more important than going out. Seeing that wonderful tentative smile and inhaling the sweet smell of the baby. Seeing the baby full and satisfied, and sleeping peacefully,that is happines.

Peacefulness
Lying next to your baby. Doing nothing, and resting again.
Give your baby love and care and help her grow into a strong and confident person
The first years are vital. Your child needs affirmation and closeness to grow into a well-balanced and socially competent person.

You can’t spoil a little baby with too much love.
A baby that feels safe and secure will be easy to look after. A baby must feel seen and heard to grow into a strong and harmonious person who can cope with life’s challenges.

The baby’s language is crying.

When the baby cries, she wants something. She usually wants to be fed. A baby always wants to feel close.
Try not to panic when your baby cries. Imagine that the baby is speaking to you. If you are relaxed, your baby will relax. A positive cycle.
Other reasons for crying are a wet nappy, feeling too hot, or wind. If your baby has wind, try massaging her tummy gently in a clockwise direction.
(See the section on massage for newborn colic) www.svardguiden.se

Never shake a little baby!

Baby massage: Gentle strokes and touching will build a loving bond between you and your baby. Massage releases the calming hormone Oxytocin.
Grandmothers in Africa and India massage their grandchildren.
There are courses in baby massage.

A little baby should not be punished.
Love, attention and setting a good example are all that’s needed. Everyone knows that a child does what you do, not what you say. Give your baby lots of affirmation and attention.
Boundaries are needed later on when the child is older to protect her from danger.

Focus on what your baby can do not what she can’t.
Love your baby,
Don’t compare her with others. Every individual is unique and has her own characteristics. Your baby thinks the world is exciting, but frightening too.
Don’t put the baby in a forward-facing buggy too early. A baby has to see her parents’ faces to know that nothing is dangerous.

Tolerance is a good motto.

Children are our future “Children are our future. We can give them a good start.”