Ppl commenting on baby appearance…

[Calmondeck]

Feels ridiculous to say this but interested to know how people would respond…

DC1 was a conventionally cute baby/child. DC2, only 4 months old, has some cradle cap, is v pale & pink, and has slightly puffy eyes. Every man and has dog smiles at me saying things along the lines of “ahh looks SO different to DC1” or “genetics are fascinating” or “aww he looks so tired” or “sweet, has he just woken? Look at those sleepy eyes”, “someone needs a nap!”, “he can hardly keep his eyes open”…. Etc etc

DC2 is a DELIGHTFUL baby - smiley, communicative, calm and a far better sleeper than DC1. I know there’s not much for people to comment on with a tiny baby, I just feel sorry for him that he’s already being compared to DC1, and so many negative comments about his eyes. He’s not tired, this is just his face!

what do I say back?

"He can grow out of it. Bit late for you, isn't it?"

Or, "Oh dear, we won't be learning manners from Uncle Shithead, will we?"

It makes me aggy enough that my beautiful, calm and easy baby is praised for being good. He's not being good, he's just a tiny little human who has needs, and who sometimes needs to cry to have them met.

As hard as it might be, is it possible to just grit your teeth and ignore them? Or have a positive response all ready to throw back at them "He's such a happy baby, always smiling!" or "He's an absolute dream, such an easy baby!"

It must grate, and I'd probably want to punch them, but they genuinely mean no harm. They're just misinterpreting what they see.

I'd probably go the opposite route and say, with a sour face, "no, he always looks like that" - but that's me ;-)