– 1:20 pm
Yesterday, out of nowhere, your mother and I noticed you crawling, consistently. I mean it’s hardly out of the blue but previously, you’d start on fours and quickly go into Saving Private Ryan mode, creeping on your belly. So it was rather unexpected. It seems to be a theme though. You start doing new things without warning.
We’re displacing furniture around the house to compensate for how quickly you throw stools on yourself. Well done you. As expected, you’ve become very adventurous, much faster than your friends. But it’s all good. I’m constantly assessing your immediate surroundings to prevent serious injury and happy to let you fall if I’m satisfied you won’t hurt yourself. Liza and I won’t always be there to catch you on your way down. So I’m just preparing you for life.
That said, I’ve also noticed you’re quite good at falling. You don’t just drop like a log of wood. You use your core and hands to brace and catch yourself. It’s rather impressive and I imagine all babies do this. It must be innate.
Monday of the coronation weekend was declared a bank holiday. Your mother planned a trip to Somerset, the land of cider (which I didn’t know until then). I was the designated driver. We stayed at No 1 Bruton which was lovely. Our room had a travel cot which you wouldn’t stop running around in, laughing, pulling faces and blabbing. We have no idea why you love this thing. But we bought one from Amazon and installed it at your grandparents. It’s relatively inexpensive and has a very high rating. It’s a win-win for all.
Our stay was predominantly wet but some of the grounds we visited were heavenly and breathtaking. For the most part, I thought we were abroad. The Newt was unbelievable. I can’t imagine what it requires in upkeep. It really is Eden if one exists. You were your usual self but I’m sure you appreciated the clean fresh air. It’s noticeably different.
Lately, you’ve been vigorously scratching your head when you sleep. So forcefully that you wake yourself up. And we know what comes after that… It’s a puzzle we can’t solve. Google isn’t giving me any answers. It doesn’t seem related to teething or the usual symptoms. My initial theory was perhaps you were like me with super sensitive skin, hair (and sleep). If I don’t wash my hair in more than a day, it itches, badly. So much so that I have to wet it. But I have since dismissed that theory because last night I gave you a bath and washed your hair with some fancy shampoo your mother bought. That didn’t help and you were at it all night, pulling and pulling.
The first time I noticed you scratching, we noticed you had a dry scalp. But we washed all that away and regularly oil your head. No change though. We’re hoping it’ll stop just about as quickly as it started. We have no other solutions (though I just thought of asking ChatGPT what it could be).
You’re currently out with your mother and Rozalia somewhere in London. I’m going to catch some sun myself.
This is a picture I took at The Old Pharmacy in Bruton where we had a sumptuous meal.
PS – Here’s what ChatGPT had to say about your hair scratching…
There are several possible reasons why a nine-month-old baby may keep scratching their hair. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Dry skin: Dry skin can be itchy and uncomfortable, especially on the scalp. If your baby’s scalp is dry, they may scratch it to try to relieve the itchiness.
- Cradle cap: Cradle cap is a common condition that affects many babies. It causes a flaky, scaly rash on the scalp, which can be itchy. If your baby has cradle cap, they may scratch their head to try to relieve the itchiness.
- Teething: Teething can cause discomfort and irritability in babies. Some babies may rub or scratch their head as a way to soothe themselves during this uncomfortable time.
- Allergies: Babies can develop allergies to a wide range of things, including food, pet dander, and environmental allergens. If your baby is scratching their head a lot, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction.
- Infection: In rare cases, a baby may scratch their head due to an infection, such as a fungal infection or lice infestation.
If your baby is scratching their head frequently, it’s a good idea to have them evaluated by a paediatrician. The doctor can help determine the underlying cause of the scratching and recommend appropriate treatment.
It’s not cradle-cap as you’ve had that already. It’s unlikely to be as a result of dry skin and doubtfully anything to do with an infection as we’ve combed your entire head for other signs of that, pun intended. The only plausible answer is teething. That makes sense. We haven’t really given you any new foods lately.