This is a big “no one ever told us” for me. (I promise I’m not here to complain. It is a true blessing to have a healthy, energetic child.) Or maybe it’s just Cool Baby who does this. I don’t know. I’ve learned the hard way that if the baby comes bounding toward me, to brace myself. Here are my personal rules so far:
1. Keep all body parts protected when lying down on the floor during playtime. At any moment, I could get pounded in the stomach or get a tiny baby nail to the eye.
2. Always watch the baby’s mouth. I could turn away for a moment to feel four sharp teeth biting my shoulder or leg. And that leaves a mark.
3. Stay away from the feet! Especially if I’m trying to strap him into something. Tiny feet can give a powerful and unexpected blow to vulnerable areas, like where my stomach muscles used to be before he came along. These same feet can also cause some serious Indian burns when they stand on top of yours. I didn’t even know foot Indian burns were possible before this.
4. Keep my ears at least 1 foot away from the baby’s mouth if there is piercing squeal potential. (Cool Dad goes as far as putting in earplugs during highchair time.) Is this why all of our parents can’t hear the TV unless the volume is way up? Maybe it’s MY fault that my parents’ hearing isn’t as good as mine. Payback time.
And we haven’t even gotten to the phase where the kid passes on all kinds of weird germs to us! Anyone else out there been injured by well-meaning babies/toddlers?
Related posts:
We have started referring to our youngest child as “Crazy Legs”. Her legs get moving and you just can’t do a thing with them except get out of the way! It’s next to impossible to put jammies on her, forget about socks or shoes. I have to stand along side her to keep from having my C-section scar tissue from being pummeled by her Crazy Legs. It hurts!
my poor husband has been kicked in the “nether regoins” by our oldest on so many occasions. he now has his gaurd up constantly. watch for the head butt, that’s the worst, right in the lip!
I feel your pain! I’ve had the Indian burns and bloody lips to prove it.
When my son gets excited he likes to swing his arms and most of the time there is a toy in his hand waiting to be propelled across the room, like a plastic truck slammed into the shin.
yet more reasons i am so glad to be way over the baby stage!
have fun!!!
it gets better
Oh I had to deal with all of these with my sister when she was little. She would bite my nose when she got angry. And one time she was swinging a belt and the buckle hit/lacerated my nose. I still have a scar.
And hey she’s now 6 years old, but I still I have to deal with the kicking thing.
I’m sure I’ve experienced some of these things with my nieces and nephew, but none traumatizing enough to recall at the moment. Could someone fill me in on what an Indian burn is?