Why drummers make good daddies...

Well, we all know how well the "rhythm method" works... so daddies we be.

For those of you who know me, I purport to be the "Nameless one",

(yes, this means I couldn't make up my mind, and gave up trying)

formerly from Dragoun's Weal (Hattiesburg, MS), and now moonlighting

in Seleone, even if I haven't managed to make good contact down here

yet. For those who do know me, Shelly and I are married and have a

beautiful little daughter (born on the sixth).

Anyway, on with the meat of the message...

Tabitha (baby) was wide awake, and not wanting to go to sleep... I

needed to sleep... She wore momma out while I was at work and mama

was sleeping so heavily that the sounds of battle wouldn't wake her,

and I had spent a long time at the workplace, and was feeling the

urge to join her... I tried walking, feeding, singing, and finally

drumming (gently, on her shoulder blades and butt) Balady put her to

sleep in about 4 minutes... Masmoudi started waking her up again, so

I switched back. She stayed asleep! I tried it again this morning,

and it worked again. (I know that the doum beat simulates the

beating of a heart, and that is what does it, but hey, it works)

How it works...

Putting to sleep

Hold infant in lap with one hand supporting the butt, and the head of

the infant crooked in at the elbow. Hold infant with other hand

supporting the back, just under the shoulder blades. Play balady

with the lead hand (doum and the) on the butt, and use connecting

fills (put an extra the ka in the empty space) until the eyes of the

infant have been closed for at least 2 minutes. Gently lay infant

down, and resume balady gently for at least another 2 to 3 minutes.

Adjust time according to infant.

Burping

hold infant with head resting well onto the shoulder. Place lead

hand with fingers just barely under the shoulder blades and other

hand supporting the infants butt. Lean to the side slightly so that

the weight of the baby is partially supported by the palm of your

lead hand. (This helps prevent "baby diving", an activity best not

witnessed by the mother) Play a gentle, fast paced balady in this

position until infant belches in your ear. Note: a spare cloth

diaper (a clean one) placed over shoulder before this process makes

cleanup much easier...

I hope you all enjoyed this good natured trip into bad humor.

===

PuppyCat puppycat@rocketmail.com

http://www.geocities.com/athens/forum/6906