Sunday, September 7, 2008

Does a Name Help My Infant Sleep

By David Bostwick


As we all know what we name our babies can affect him, her, or God help you both them for the rest of their lives. Do you remember the song by Johnny Cash named A Boy Named Sue? Do you remember how this guy was tormented all his life because he was given a girl's name to toughen him up.

Would Sue have made the same choice if he had the opportunity? Possibly but most probably not. I have on occasion thought that a child should be able to pick his or her own name regardless. Can you imagine sleeping baby Kid Rock or would napping baby Scary Spice?

My son was named very unceremoniously. My wife was carted out of the recovery room all lathered up. As she held our sleeping baby boy we were harassed by an administrative type asking me what we wanted to name our baby. I had forgotten what we wanted to name him and thought, erroneously that he would have to go through his life unnamed.

Parents can go nuts naming their child something so unusual that it escapes reality, while some parents are very concerned about the googability of their future baby. With Monster and other websites naming conventions could become very important. Think about the name. Make sure that it is a name that commands respect.

A name should have dignity at the very least. Traditional names are safe. Something funky will always -- or better said -- eventually get you in trouble. Like Dweezil or Moon Unit, these are real people's names I might add, and are siblings wouldn't you know.

A person's name should also be easy. Simply stated, it needs to be easy for others to spell and pronounce. Learning to spell English is hard enough because of the awkward spellings. Use a J for a J sound and not a G. This is your opportunity to make a good decision. Decide well.

Large families have an added factor. Giving your child one name over the another's might upset Great Uncle Ling Ling. Don't give in to the stresses others may cause you. Do it your way.

Honestly, just name the baby girl or boy something that you think works. It must work for you and work for the child too! Can you see yourself calling from the downstairs -- Optimus Prime get down here and take the trash out. Ultimately it should be a name that helps you and your baby sleep all through the night.

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