This infant is cheerful and easily amused. Caregivers at his daycare often describe him as “easygoing” and “relaxed.” He drools only during teething phases and seldom experiences spitting up. By four months, he manages 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. During family gatherings, he is comfortably passed around, showing no signs of separation anxiety. On the rare occasions when he does become upset, a bottle, a cuddle, or a brief outing into the fresh air quickly brings him back to calmness. He is your firstborn. Though there may be a few challenging moments as you adapt to your new parenting role, overall, you feel fortunate. He’s an exceptionally uncomplicated baby.
But beware, he is a “trick baby.”
Having a trick baby can be perilous. Your confidence in parenting may soar to new heights. You might browse through countless articles on sleep training, feeling smug that you’ve managed everything intuitively. You’ll feel a twinge of guilt when your friend, exhausted and sleep-deprived, inquires about your baby’s sleep patterns, especially if her child cries uncontrollably unless held. But your baby does none of these things because, after all, he is a trick baby.
This trick baby may lead you to believe that parenting is a breeze. You’ll find yourself gazing lovingly at your sleeping infant, gently rubbing his back, and then crawling into your own bed for a glorious 7 hours of sleep. You might even think your genetics are a marvel of evolution! It’s not simply luck that you have the easiest baby in your neighborhood; it feels like fate.
You may also convince yourself that this is the norm for babies. In conversations with other mothers, you might awkwardly share, “He had some trouble falling asleep last night because of teething, but it only took him about 15 minutes.” You’ll recognize the awkwardness of your comments but feel compelled to share since you are, after all, the parent of a trick baby.
The most significant deception your perfect little angel will play on you is convincing you that having another baby right away is a brilliant idea. Just look at how effortlessly your trick baby has adapted!
But don’t be misled. Remember, your trick baby is a deceptive force.
If you’re blessed to have a seemingly perfect easy baby as your first child, savor every moment. However, don’t fool yourself. The trick baby is an exception, and subsequent children are unlikely to resemble him.
Your trick baby sets the stage for what is likely to be a colicky, sleep-resistant, clingy, and anxious “normal” baby. If you cave to the allure of your trick baby, you might find yourself caring for two children born within 18 months, one of whom may cry incessantly and projectile spit-up. Your trick baby will have just mastered walking, and he knows how to use those legs to his advantage.
Trick baby understands that if he can charm you early on, it will serve him well later. When his curiosity and adventurous spirit peak, you may find yourself too fatigued to keep up, leaving you in a precarious situation.
Don’t even think about placing blame on trick baby; no one will comprehend your plight, especially not your weary friend whose child is still waking up at night. Since your trick baby sleeps soundly, you won’t have the typical excuse of sleep deprivation clouding your judgment. However, once your “normal” baby arrives, you’ll be too exhausted to assign blame. You’ll be a mess, with the new baby clinging to you as your trick baby embarks on daring escapades.
That is the reality of the trick baby. Consider yourself forewarned.
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In summary, while having an easy baby can feel like a blessing, it’s crucial to remember that this experience is not the norm. Future children may present more typical challenges that require patience and resilience. Enjoy your trick baby, but prepare for the delightful chaos that may come next.