Too calm a baby???? Any other mothers with / had similar babies??

[zazou]

My daughter will be 5 months old next week. I am a fan of Attached Parenting. I carried her alot (still do) but she can also play for long periods on her own on her playing mat or in her swing (does 20-30 min on her own). I still exclusively breastfeed her, which I enjoy and love. We sleep together, her bed is attached to mine, is quite convenient when breastfeeding.

She is a relatively good girl. Was operated on under full anaesthetic at 2 weeks of age due to 2 abscesses under the arm due to a Staph infection and is thankfully now a healthy bub. She is developing well. Could always hold her head very well, we got many comments early on about that. She has been rolling from back to front continuosly since end of 3rd month / beginning of fourth month, other way around is too boring for her :-) She shuffles slightly on her tummy to reach objects slightly out of reach. She babbles and can even sing in baby speech (Twinkle Little Star is her fav), so she is developing quite well. Her length last week was measured to be 68 cm (26.8 in) -  a big girl.

When we visit other people or have others around, she is extremely calm. We have received so many comments from others with / without children on how calm she is and how suprised they are. I am proud but am starting to get worried if everything is OK with her. I'm guessing I am paranoid but would like to hear from other mothers out there who have very calm babies and if they are older, if they are still calm.

My pregnancy was rather stress less (one fall down the stairs during early 3rd trimester!!!!), I was cautious about what I ate and drank (e.g. no salmon, raw milk products etc) and am often alone with her in quiet surroundings. I don't have the TV on when I am home alone around her but sometimes music when we dance and she has alot of musical stimulation (her toys as well, me singing). I am an extremely calm person so perhaps that plays a role.

She does cry and fuss, but less around others and she has been sleeping quite well (with 2-3 feeds per night but in half-sleep, i.e. falling back to sleep shortly afterwards) since end of 1st month.

Would love to hear some opinions.

[tiredbuthappy]

count your blessings! My first was the same way. I think attachment parenting can contribute to such a happy baby, but temperament plays a significant role as well. My first was so good and calm, that she was practically neglected when i placed her in a large daycare. She wasn't screaming so they didn't think she was hungry. I pulled her from there after the second incident where she was only fed 2 oz of breastmilk all day (at 5 and 6 months old!!!) We pretty much practiced attachment parenting in that she was in the room with us until 8 months, held frequently, and we responded to all of her cries promptly. Contrary to what some believe happens with such methods, she was never spoiled and is remarkably independent and well behaved. Babies who are treated like that actually become very secure and confident. She is now a 27 month old and continues to be the same happy content girl. Very social, brilliant (knows all colors and shapes, speaks complex sentences, says counting numbers to 20 and can actually count up to 9 items, etc...).
I got the same exact comments when she was little. Now everyone continues to be amazed by her. Don't get me wrong- she certainly has her terrible-two moments, but I've worked with toddlers and know enough to count my blessings.

by the way, it doesn't necessarily mean that she'll always be calm. I know plenty of kids who started out like that, but turned into very high-maintence kids.

[Athena_M]

My first was also very calm and content.  I think you keep her very secure, which is why she is so calm.  Since you ate so well during your pregnancy you are probably eating well now which is why she is not so fussy, plus you have her on a good sleeping schedule too.  You would be suprised how many moms I knew who would eat terribly,  breastfeed, not have a good sleeping schedule and wonder why there baby was so fussy. Everyone thought my baby was unusual because he hardly cried, and he even had pain free teething.   I think you are doing a wonderful job!

[zazou]

Thanks guys :-) I guess as a first-time mum I'm a little paranoid, which I guess most Mum's are. I hope she doesn't turn out to be high-maintenance (her father was and still is!) but I love her to bits, and will keep on doing what I'm doing - I think that heaps of love plays a vital role.