Episode 8
The baby went in for a check-up recently. I mentioned it casually at the Mommy corner while the other mommies were trying to give me the brush off. One of them had made a comment about his red cheeks and asked if he was getting sick because “I certainly didn’t want to get the other children sick, did I?” Oh no, I replied, he just saw the doctor and he’s fine. A little baby eczema is all. Well, that was a big mistake. The other mommies were all over me like Juicy Couture on a Hilton.
The Mommies:
“How are his percentiles? Is he keeping up? I haven’t noticed any growth spurts lately.”
“My daughter is in the 85th percentile for growth. The doctor is amazed.”
“Well, mine had a 30% jump between his second and third visits. My sister said that when they have jumps in growth they also have jumps in development. It’s probably a sign of an advanced IQ, you know.”
“And of course, breastfeeding makes them smarter. Too bad, you stopped.”
“So were his numbers a little low? I’m sure he’ll catch up… sometime.”
I was flabbergasted. Was I supposed to be writing those stats down? The pediatrician keeps it all on file and everything has been normal so it never occurred to me that I should be keeping a chart at home, too. His first two teeth had just broke through; and honestly, I was less interested in his growth percentile than helping with the pain.
I stammered, “Well, mainly we talked about teething. He’s started a little early and…”
The mommies gave a collective gasp. Next thing I know they were stalking off. I suppose next time I should bring his chart? Or did they think teething at 5 months is catching?
They are so confusing, sometimes.
These mommies that you speak of? Scary. Makes you kind of wonder whether they were like this before they had kids. And if it’s any consolation, I don’t think you’re a bad mommy. I think those women are NUTS!
I seem to have heard of babies who have teeth when they are born. (married a dentist’s son)
But if the competitive mothers like to think your baby is being -what?-hothoused into early dental prowess, let them!! When their babies do start teething, the breastfeeding will be less of a favourite activity!
LOL. Actually, my husband’s brother was born with FOUR TEETH! The doctor called then a “third set” and yanked them. So I wasn’t terribly suprised when my son started teething early. I just was thankful he wasn’t born with them!
And as for the super competitive moms, all you can do is laugh… and write satires of them on websites.
Nothing worse than petty competitive mothers. They should be slapped, tarred and feathered, and dragged through the streets.
(BTW, thanks for stopping by my blog!)