Tuesday, October 03, 2006

Baby heads are jam-packed with pheromones

I have been spared the supposedly common pregnancy-induced cravings for things like pickles and ice cream. Instead, I have become somewhat obsessed with the smell of baby heads. You could even say I crave it. I remember babysitting as a teenager, rocking a baby to sleep, and being amazed at how good his little head smelled. I could have sat there all day, perfectly content just to sniff his head while he slept. And it was not that his head smelled of baby powder or perfumes. No, a baby head has a distinct, lovely, happy smell that is independent of soap or powder. It’s special.

So when it recently occurred to me that soon I will be able to smell my own baby’s head, I got excited. “I can’t wait to smell the baby’s head. How about you?” I said to The Husband. Imagine my horror upon discovering that he was not, in fact, looking forward to it, because he has never smelled a baby head and had no idea it was something to be excited about.

Well, that about did it for me. I became very eager to witness The Husband’s first smell of a baby head, knowing it will be even more special because it will be the head of our very own baby. Now it seems that all I talk about is the smell of a baby head. And for some reason, I insist upon using the word “baby” as an adjective. I never say “Wait till you smell the baby’s head,” I say, “Wait till you smell the baby head.” Is that weird?

Perhaps this particular thing is symbolic to me of The Husband’s relationship with our baby. Seeing The Husband act as a dad could very well be what I most look forward to once the baby is born. He’s going to be a great dad. He’s going to be the kind of dad who knows everything, and he’s also going to be completely whipped. It’s probably going to be hard for The Husband not to spoil this child, because he’s going to want to give him or her everything in the world.

It’s going to be amazing to watch, and it’s going to start with that first whiff of baby head.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm with ya on this! Although Eli is not really considered a baby anymore...he has entered 'toddler' land...I still regularly smell his head. I also love to get a whiff of him randomly during the day, such as when I get in the car or pick up a stuffed animal of his at the end of the day. :) Brian, though, doesn't have a clue what you are talking about. Maybe it is a female thing?

Anonymous said...

Okay, I had to come by and read the baby-head-smelling post! Every time one of my friends pops out a wee one I get all excited to get the first whiff of their heads and make sure they pass the test. I don't know what it is about that smell--or maybe the combination of the smell with their little velvety heads--but it just gives me butterflies everytime!! You'll definitely have to capture The Husband's first head-sniff on camera though ;)

Dr. Maureen said...

Angela: I've decided it's because their heads smell like rainbows and sunshine. As for the first head-sniff on camera; I don't know what shape I'll be in, so I may not be able to manage that! But I'll try.

Dr. Maureen said...

For the record, no one is claiming that EVERY scent associated with a baby equals rainbows and sunshine. Far from it.

Anonymous said...

I still smell my five year old's head. I am a firm believer in baby pheromones!

Anonymous said...

A baby's head does release pheromones, much like how chocolate causes the brain to release dopamine the "happy" chemical. A baby's pheromone makes you feel as though you are in love and also releases a chemical making you feel more protective.