Healing Baby

I am not feeling well, mum.`Can we take pics another day?

Ok.. Just One smile.

I am feeling giddy with all your flashlights!

Ok. That's it. I am off to dreamland.

When your baby is ill, it is the worst time in your life. I believe all mothers in this world can comprehend my feelings right now. You wish you are the one who is attacked by whatever virus. Come to me fever and leave my baby ALONE!

Last Thursday night, you started running a fever out of the blue and broke out in hives. I was worried sick and all the memories of you being sick when you were a newborn poured back.

I remembered I would cry when they pricked you numerous times for the jaundice test.

I remembered my tears rolled uncontrollably when Dr Terence Tan told me that you had Bronchitis or pneumonia when you were three weeks old.

I remembered I would cry because you had to be admitted to the hospital.

I remembered I would cry while rocking you for many many lonesome hours in my arms on the hospital bed.

I remembered I would cry so hard when they inserted the suction tube down your nostrils to clear your nasal passage.

I remembered I would cry because I was also feeling sickly weak, exhausted and lonely. There was no help out there.

I remembered I would cry because I was guilty of not having enough breast milk for you thus causing you to fall ill.

I remembered I would cry because I wasnt going to be able to protect you from this horrible world. Fear gnawed at me until at times I felt an aching emptiness in my belly.

Anyway, your fever this time brought back the feeling of nakedness and vulnerability I had felt as a new mother, a cold, hungry fear I thought I'd forgotten.

So happy you recovered steadily after a few doses of medication and is fine now. Except for some fading marks left by the hives. Both experiences have reinforce my belief in the importance of building a strong immune system through your daily diet and psychological well being. I believe a healthy baby is also a happy baby and vice versa.

My secret formula for a sick baby (other than medication) besides giving her plenty of total loving care is to keep the child happy. Do whatever makes her happy. For your case, I play a lot of your favourite music and tv programmes. I let you watch your current favourite- High 5! and sing and dance along with them..And I am glad that you are responding really well to my formula!

Get well, child. Mummy loves you infinitely.