Weekend in bed.

There was I, not understanding why I was so exhausted earlier this week until Friday came along and I just couldn't make it out of bed and off to work. It was a nasty throat infection. And by that time it was too late, I had passed my germs onto to baby L. So we've both spent the weekend caughing, sneezing, not eating, with fever, the lot. It's been horrible. And I'm already wondering how we are going to get through the day tomorrow, me at work and him with the child minder. Being sick reminds me of how much I want summer to stay and winter to never come... brrr!

Learning to eat.

Last Thursday was a big day in the life of baby L. Not only was it his first time at the nanny's, it was also his first time eating non-milk food. And the spoon is always way more fun than the actual purée.

Baby massage.

When I went to l'Espace Weleda a couple of weeks ago, my baby radar (which is way too efficient these days) detected a workshop on how to massage babies. Of course, it did not take long before I decided to sign up for it.

I went last Friday with my friend Aurélie whose son is just three days older than baby L. During one full hour, an experienced physiotherapist showed us several different techniques to effectively massage our wee(ing!) ones, including 10 min of baby exercises. Our bubs were so calm and relaxed after the workshop, they spent most of the afternoon sleeping. What better effect could you wish for?! If you are interested in viewing some of the techniques, Weleda has developed this useful online guide. All Weleda products are 100% natural, therefore unharmful for babies, as well as pregnant and nursing mothers. The workshop is a little clostly (EUR 50) but definitely worth it. Not only are you tought effective methods to massage your little one which are easy repeat at home but you come out with a happy and comforted baby.

Espace Weleda
10 avenue Franklin Roosevelt
Paris 8ème

Gripe water.

©LaFranglaise
Baby L. is five weeks old today and has recently started to suffer from colic. Fortunately it is only mild (he will never cry inconsolably or excessively, phew!) but it does happen almost every evening. I was told to give him Gripe Water, a home remedy for colicky babies recommended to me by all my Anglophone friends. It contains dill, fennel, and sodium bicarbonate, helping relieve infantile digestive pains. You can buy it in the UK from Boots or your local pharmacy.

If you are unable to get any Gripe Water from the UK, pediatricians in France recommend Calmosine, a herbal drink containing fennel, lime and orange blossom, and sodium benzoate.