Baby Blog

It’s almost my favorite time of year. The days are growing cooler, the leave are changing color and before we know it we will be scraping the innards out of pumpkins, dressing up like wild people and roaming the street demanding sugar. I love Halloween and I’m hoping my little boy learns to love it too. Last year was his very first Halloween and I went a little overboard. A lot of people choose not to take babies out trick-or-treating when they are still so small. But here’s why I did.

Last Halloween my little boy was only eight months old but he was the most adorable homage to Dr. Seuss as Horton the elephant. We decorated his buggy in Horton phrases and gave him a giant pink flower and wheeled him around the neighborhood with all of his to three-year-old friends. He had a blast. Watching his little head bob around with that elephant trunk was simultaneously hysterical and cute. The photographs were awesome. The candy was yummy and the camaraderie was unforgettable.

Of course I don’t recommend or advocate that little babies should be given candy at Halloween. We let baby Nik gather candy to let him understand how the holiday worked. He enjoyed going through the candy, looking at the candy but as he didn’t know what it was he didn’t feel distressed about not actually eating a candy. In many cases friends and neighbors substituted candy with baby friendly items such as crackers, baby snacks and fruit. Letting them know you’re coming in advance is a great way to ensure less candy.

Walking around the neighborhood for an hour and a half early evening in October totally exhausted my darling baby boy. On the night of Halloween my eight-month-old baby elephant slept like a log. And after a few months of being up all night it was certainly a treat on this night full of tricks. Excitement coupled with fresh air is a great natural sleeping remedy for baby. Just be sure to wrap them up in  blankets.

I think the most fun thing about last Halloween was finding a costume for baby Nik. There are so many adorable Halloween costumes for young children these days that you are almost spoiled for choice. I must confess to having two separate costumes for the big day. Nik wore his baby lion outfit to his daytime Halloween party and he was Horton for his trick-or-treating. Yes I know, first time mom and all that.

This year my little baby boy is going is going to be his favorite train as he walk the streets and ask our friends for candy. This year he’ll be allowed to consume a few pieces but I don’t think he’ll really care about the sugar. Seeing all those young children dressed up in having such a good time will be sure to bring a smile to his little face. Yes, I believe Halloween is a great holiday for children and starting early well, there’s no harm in it.