Some babies are just screamers. If you met my DS, you would all smile and nod knowingly. His temperament is not something I can alter, no matter how much I cuddle, co-sleep, demand feed (formula though............... pause for gasps lol) and do everything I can to calm him. I rarely bathe alone. I rarely sleep alone all night. There's always at least an hour of co-sleeping cuddles every night.

I think there's way too much judgement out there. And this woman was right about one thing - those who follow attachment/gentle parenting and have calm babies are lucky. Nothing more. I know it's not my fault my DS is a screamer, but I find the smugness of some individuals really gets to me. Like the JP I asked to sign some documents for me. I felt like I was in the principal's office. She lectured me (because DS was crying and I was trying to focus on the business at hand) and said "If you just love him enough he won't cry. All he needs is love." I wanted to get up and throat-slam her to the floor. Was she seriously suggesting that my baby was crying because I don't love him enough?! Little does she know, I went through hell to birth him. Little does she know, I've only JUST spotted the light at the end of the tunnel. Little does she know, my journey to and through motherhood has not been easy. Still she continued to judge. "My son's wife had a miscarriage recently. They're devastated. It's so sad. You are so blessed, and so lucky." I was gobsmacked. For a moment I felt sorry for her, because she had no idea of my history......... and was about to receive a face-full of abuse. I sat for a few moments, while she continued to carry on about how blessed I am, and how I've never had to deal with that heartache..... when I lost it. I looked her right in the eye and the words came flying out of my mouth like bullets. "They aren't the only ones to experience a loss. I miscarried my first baby." I hoped that would stop her. But no. "Oh but you're ok now." She said. I asked her to define ok. "Well, you had another baby, so everything's ok now". I teared up, and shook my head. She had no idea. I disengaged from the conversation at that point, and when we were done, made a complaint to her superior. Not surprisingly, this was not the first time she'd ambushed a young mother with her inappropriate comments and 'advice'.

The point of my story is that people should keep their mouths shut unless they know an individuals history/circumstances. And there is no magical solution to every baby's problems. There is no parenting utopia. There is no right answer. And what's right for me one day, might not be the next. Articles which suggest otherwise are simply un-helpful and a waste of time. I could be spending that time sleeping since I've been up half the night nurturing my baby. Am I a good mother now? Can I look down on others now like so many 'perfect mothers' do?

The others are right. All babies cry. All of them. *sigh*