No 1 Son asked me last night why I always go into his room in the morning when he’s asleep, and stand there for a few minutes (and I thought I was being so quiet, although admittedly if I trip over one of the wires on the floor I probably make quite a lot of noise).
‘I’ve always done it, ever since you were a baby,’ I said. ‘I like to check you’re still breathing.’ He laughed at me but it’s true. When he was a baby and he was sleeping, I used to put my hand gently on the top of his chest just to make sure it was still going up and down, because he’s never really snored or made much noise when he’s asleep. I don’t put my hand on his chest now, of course, but I do stand there in the doorway, waiting to see if he’s breathing.
Why do I feel the need to do this? After all, I can’t do it when he’s not with me. I honestly don’t know. I just like to make sure he’s OK, whenever I have the opportunity. He may be 6ft 2 but he’s still my baby.
I always do this even though my two are 3 and soon to be 5. I can’t settle into bed until I’ve done it either.
Ahhh… I put my hand beneath my 2 month old’s nose to make sure hrs breathing while he sleeps peacefully!
I remember when I used to stay at my Mum’s even once I was renting my own flat and her telling me that she would still check on me! I thought it crazy but now I have my own son, I get it.