I googled “Week 10 infant development” to see what is supposed to be happening. Babies Online, under ‘What Might be Concerning You” exclaims “SIDS!”
“SIDS!”
That exclamation point offends me. Ehow precedes “How to use an exclamation point” with The often over used exclamation point can add punch to a sentence when used judiciously. Does the possibility of SIDS really need more punch?
Maybe it is because I have mastered the art of gently touching my son to check if he is breathing. Something I do a few times a day. A few times a night. Maybe it is because I find the exclamation point both belittling and gleeful. Maybe it is because I feel like this silly broken vertical line is simply pointing out that my son will die some day, and that is really something I don’t want to make room to think about on this 70th day of his life.
I thought that the dull thud terror of my child dying from SIDS was but three months long (see roughtly 90 days, 2160 hours, 129600 seconds) and then I read that it can occur up to a year. Sometimes longer. Then I realize that, really, other things can and do happen. I am not sure what misconception I was under that had me relaxing into Boeuf’s assured longevity following this meager grace period. Oh me.
I emailed Babies Online and asked them to take out the exclamation point.
….I emailed them again a few days later.
The exclamation point has been removed.
