Baby Sleep

Do you want your baby to sleep through the night? My baby's been waking up at odd hours of the late evening and early morning, and it is driving me insane.

I've tried talking to her about it (which worked for two nights), adjusting the temperature, giving milk, reading her long bedtime stories, but it didn't work for too long.

Her grandma suggested we turn baby's clothes inside out.

I don't know if this is exclusively part of Philippine culture, but some people believe that when spirits are playing tricks on you, simply remove your shirt, turn it inside out, then wear it again.

That reminds me of those mountaineers who got lost recently in Mt. Makiling. One of them broke away from the group and was able to find his way down that mountain. I wonder if he turned his shirt inside out. Those who were stuck in the mountain heard the laughter of children so they followed that sound only to find themselves at a dry riverbed.

I got lost a few years ago in a mountain in Laguna. After hours of walking around and not finding a trail that would lead our group down the mountain, someone quipped about turning our shirts inside out.

Perhaps there are spirits that like to have fun even on children. That probably explains why some healthy babies don't sleep through the night.

I know, it's not scientific, but I'll probably give it a try.
[ First posted on 02/10/2005 by Manuel Viloria ]