I'm reading "How To Talk..." and it is a really amazing book. I'm already trying to put these principles into practise although Meg is only 9 months old.
I will order "Siblings..." once I get pregnant with the next one!
Addressing Jazzbird and the pulling hair while nursing and biting issue.
Meg has only bitten me twice. The first time, I DID pull her into my breast and she stopped immediately- but I want her to know why it's wrong so I did the OW that hurts and put her on the floor the next time. I will continue with that if necessary.
A nursing necklace seems like a good idea- she will pull on anything she can, my bra, my shirt, my hair, but she seems to prefer things that don't give as easily like hair and necklaces. She also pulls her own hair while nursing sometimes and that concerns me because I am a recovering hair-puller. She seems to do it most when she is tired.
She doesn't just pull hair when nursing though, it's when I'm carrying her or while she's sitting on my lap facing me. She goes for hair everywhere.
I have just been implementing Rose's suggestion so far and have told my husband and best friend (the people she sees most) to do the same.
When she pulls I tell her "pulling hurts honey. Mummy likes a gentle soft touch." then I take her hand and stroke my hair with it and say "soft, gentle" over and over. When she seems to get it I say "that's right Meaghan, very good!"
I don't know if I'm kidding myself but I may be seeing a difference. Could just be wishful thinking. I'll give an update when I
know I see a difference.
Right now Meaghan is sick with croup, poor baby and poor mummy too. Heck, poor daddy who has to do all the neglected housework after working for 8 hours.
Yesterday was the worst day so far- she doesn't seem as bad today. Pretty gross yesterday though- I got puked on and it was all the snot she swallowed since she doesn't know how to blow her nose yet!
yuck times ten! If you all wouldn't mind saying a prayer for her, I'd really appreciate it! She's such a little trooper!