All the parenting advice tell us to introduce new changes gradually, and that the routine is sacred, not something to mess around with. I hear stories of baby-meltdowns when major disruptions take place. I think it may be from laziness rather than some sort of parenting philosophy, but I lean more towards a baby-led rather than because-the-calendar-says-so approach with changes. So I was very conscientious with introducing two big changes around the 6-month mark: solid foods, and move from the bassinet to a crib.
Both went so smoothly that I realized that this advice is not so much meant for the children, for whom every day is new and different, but for the parents whose children morph in front of their eyes and barely have time to adjust to one development change before a new one starts. It was me who was dreading the change to food -- the rearrangement of the kitchen to accommodate a high-chair, the added time to prepare food, the anxiety over what to give when, and the myriad values-based choices (homemade or store-bought? Organic or regular?) And with the bed I reacted as when I have any new major furniture change; I just need to spend some time in the space to adjust to seeing it there. Boo took it all with equanimity. Food he likes (so far!), and the in bed he actually seems happier.
What next?
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