When your baby turns night into day, cries and whines incessantly or simply won’t go to sleep alone, this phrase runs like a mantra through everyday parenting: “It’s just a phase!” Take a deep breath. “It’s just a phase!” 5 breaths later, the nerves
They just happen, those days when nothing goes according to plan. Your little darling has only just got used to his new sleeping pattern – and then it’s all over again. Or were you raving yesterday about how happy your child is – and suddenly today it’s all screaming? No matter what the phase looks like: If suddenly nothing works as it did before and the stress level rises, then the harmonious family life is quickly over.
The nasty thing is that when one phase is over, the next one usually follows straight away. You’ve just got used to the situation and think it’s finally calming down, when a new phase starts. And these phases run through all age groups. From the “always on mummy’s arm phase” to the “I don’t want to sleep phase” and the “I’m teething phase” to the stranger phase, the “NO” phase or the defiant phase.
The good thing is that it’s probably the same for all (or most) parents. Because every child has its phases. Of course, that doesn’t help in the particular situation. But perhaps it helps to look at the whole thing from a different perspective.
Even if these “phases” can be really exhausting: They are important. Because they are a signal that your child is developing – physically and mentally. When new connections are created in their little brain and your baby makes completely new discoveries and experiences, it takes time to get used to them. New insights and skills always involve a certain amount of effort for your child. This means that these phases are not only stressful for you as parents, but also for your child. This is exactly why your child is so restless and dissatisfied or seeks your closeness.
During this time, which you experience as such a stressful phase, your baby needs a lot of love and care. Because every developmental leap suddenly changes his little world anew. This can be quite upsetting for such a small being. With loving affection, you can give your child the security it needs right now.
Of course, this is easier said than done. When nerves are frayed, it’s difficult to keep calm and radiate calm. As parents, we always want to do our best. But in doing so, we always reach our limits.
Then only one thing helps: accept what is. Stay calm. Realize that children don’t “work” the way we want them to. Not everything can go perfectly and according to plan. That’s life – so it’s okay to improvise from time to time.
And: mom and dad are allowed to be overwhelmed and stressed sometimes. We are all so wonderfully “perfectly imperfect”. The great thing is that if you admit this to yourself, it’s easier to accept help and support from outside. Just give it a try!
If you are in the phase where your baby wants to be rocked all the time, then we recommend our spring cradle. Babies love them and parents are grateful for a little break.
