8 tips from grandma: superheroes for young parents
Ah, grandmothers! These women, armed with their handbags full of sweets and handkerchiefs, seem to hold the secrets of the universe. On March 3, as we celebrate these extraordinary ladies, let's take a look at their real superpower: grandma's tips and tricks, true secret weapons for young parents in distress.
1. The art offalling asleep: have you tried rocking, singing, driving baby around town at 3 a.m.? Stop! Grandma enters the scene with her infallible technique: the use of a vacuum cleaner. The principle is simple: the white noise of a vacuum cleaner, evoking the soft murmur of the uterus, has a soporific effect on toddlers. Skeptics may smile, but the "whirring" of the vacuum cleaner has been praised for its effectiveness on babies for generations. It's a humorous example of how, when it comes to parenting, imagination and ingenuity know no bounds. So when the usual methods fail, why not give it a try? And if you're not on the cleaning team, there are a whole host of apps that reproduce white and brown noises to perfection.
2. The miracle of breastfeeding: when it comes to breastfeeding, grandma's advice is worth its weight in gold. "Eat almonds, they boost milk production!" or "Drink fennel tea!" And if baby has trouble latching on? Don't panic, Grandma pulls a scarf or wrap out of her hat and shows you how to turn it into an impromptu nursing sling. Even if, since their time, marvels of comfort and practicality have been invented, such as the Milk Away nursing garments with their soft fabrics and invisible, perfectly-placed pull tabs!
3. LThe anti-reflux tip: does your little treasure turn into a fountain at the slightest drop of milk? Before you turn your living room into a reflux pool, listen to Grandma. She'll tell you about the good old days when a spoonful of carob flour in the bottle worked miracles. "It's natural and helps thicken the milk! Beware, pediatric consultation recommended before turning the kitchen into an experimental laboratory.
4. Jaws... well, baby's Jaws: when baby starts teething, it's as if the sharks have decided to have a rave party in his mouth. Grandma, armed with her refrigerated teething ring (a vintage but gold trick) or a piece of hard bread ("It's good for them to chew on something solid!"), comes to the rescue.
5. The germ war: ah, colds! Those unwelcome little visitors who always choose the least opportune moment to knock on your door. But don't worry, grandmothers are there, armed to the teeth with their secret recipes, ready to fight off those nasty germs. For grandmothers, l'onion isn't just a vegetable, it's a magic potion. To concoct this unconventional but surprisingly effective syrup, they cut an onion into small cubes, place it in a bowl and sprinkle generously with sugar (yes, we know, sugar is highly inadvisable today, but in the event of a snot invasion, anything goes - war is war, survival mode activated!) They let the mixture stand overnight. The next day, " abracadabra ", a syrup appears (thanks to the magic of l'osmosis). L The onion is renowned for its antibacterial properties, and the sugar helps to soothe the throat.
6. LAnti-hiccup water: that impromptu intruder that turns our toddlers into little rhythmic noisemakers in spite of themselves! Don't panic, here's a simple, fun anti-hooshing tip, guaranteed to have no sugar but lots of laughs. Imagine the scene: ask your child to become a l'water explorer', equipped with his most trusty spoon. Their mission? Swallow ten small gulps of water, l'one after l'another, without taking the time to breathe between each one. It's a little game of skill that requires concentration and can provoke a few giggles and splashes. As well as getting rid of the hiccups, you'll be treated to an aquatic performance worthy of a mini circus show.
7. Clay poultice for daredevils: small bumps are the medals of honor of young adventurers. To treat these trophies of bravery, Grandma uses her natural green clay. She makes a paste by mixing the powder with clear water and then applies it directly to the damaged area. She lays a cloth over it, covers it with magic kisses and waits for the angels' song to work. L Inflammation will recoil, intimidated by such bravery.
8. Anti-redness cream for the little fanny : l nappy rash, that scourge of the nether regions, can't resist grandma's magic potion. Armed with calendula and a wooden spoon, she concocts an effective anti-redness cream. To prepare, she picks calendula petals, squeezes l'sweet almond (or olive) oil and adds a little precious beeswax. She then infuses the mixture over a low heat for two hours, sieves through a sieve and adds a little more wax (15 g for every 100 ml of oil) before finishing by melting the mixture until smooth. The potion is ready to be applied to hostile territory, transforming the roughest buttocks into fairytale baby skin.
But Grandma's real trick, the one that trumps all others, is her inexhaustible supply of love and patience. Who else would answer your desperate call at 2 a.m. with a "Don't worry, honey, I'll be fine. Do you want me to come over?"
So, on this March 3, let's raise a glass (of fennel tea, of course!) to these extraordinary women. For all you exhausted young parents out there, remember: behind every grandma's tip and trick, there are years of love, laughter and wisdom. And maybe, just maybe, the key to surviving the wonderful adventure of parenthood.
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