13th December 2008

Melina Discovers Her Thumb

Isn’t it funny how we say we don’t want our babies to suck their thumb or look silly with one of those pacifiers in their mouths, before baby arrives?  However, after you learn that babies need to suck, and of course, it can’t always be the boob, you might just cave to pacifier land or binky crack in my opinion.  Melina makes complete shreeks (this word looks funny - I must look it up) when she has her pacifier in - it’s usually after feeding when I lay her back down.  She talks loudly (as one three old can do, eh?), mumming on the pacifier, and these amazing loud noises emit from her tiny little lungs and throat. 

This is all well and good until your baby loses the pacifier from her mouth, and is unable to put it back.  Screams bloody murder is more likely it.  Last night, I could swear that Melina’s pacifier was out for a second, and then she put it back herself, clumsily but capable.  Must be sleep deprivation, right?  I think if she’s able to self-soothe, and put her own pacifier back, great.  I’ve noted that she’s able to knock it out of her mouth when she doesn’t want it, or spit it out, when she’s done with it.  Late last night, I went up to the crib and noted that she had her thumb in her mouth - I couldn’t believe it.  I’m not sure this is a good thing.  I can’t have a daughter that walks around with a thumb in her mouth, right?  Of course, she’s only three weeks old, so who’s to say this is the beginning of a bad habit?

What it does mean, is that she’s becoming somewhat better for a moment or two, on occasion, at entertaining herself in the crib, if Mommy can’t get to the cribside right away every waking moment.

One other thing - Melina has also discovered her tongue.  She’s been rolling it to the front of the mouth, and even sticking it out.  I think these are reflexes that come within first weeks, but not necessarily controllable actions if I recall correctly from something I read.  It’s funny to see her roll her tongue around, and on occasion stick it out, even if she hasn’t a clue what she’s doing.  Very cute.

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