I have this theory. I am not sure if I developed it out of necessity, for the sake of humor, or if one night William whispered into my ear as I drifted off while nursing him… BUT! It’s a theory and I shall share it with you.

Here it is: Every baby has a superpower.

Yes, it’s true! Every single little one is born with the ability to do at least one thing really, really well from infancy. One thing that we as parents usually obsess and fret over. Some ‘talent’ (X) that when we hear another parent mention it and how well their child is at X, we heave a great sigh and send a silent prayer that if only our baby could be great at X, life would be golden!

And it’s these – ‘talents’ we hope for and dream about – that are our baby’s superpower! Each little person has that one thing, that one talent that they excel at, and when we tell other parents about our baby’s love of or ability to do it, causes them to send their eyes upward to the heavens.

Superpower Diagnosis: Secretly a Teenager by Six Months Old (Smirks Included)
Superpower Diagnosis: Secretly a Teenager by Six Months Old (Smirks Included)

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For example, I have a mama friend. Her baby girl has a most-coveted superpower: the ability to sleep through the night consistently (pretty much without fail) since she was six weeks old. Superpower diagnosis: Sleeps-through-the-night-early-and-regularly.

So great and such a great superpower! (My child does not have this power, for the record. Ha!)

My son though – he has the distinct ability to eat. He eats and gains weight and height like a champ. I am so thankful that I have never faced the scary words ‘failure to thrive’ and that I get to kiss little baby fat rolls each night. Superpower diagnosis: Eats-happily-and-well-from-day-one.

These superpowers are usually things that we not only usually take for granted (he just latched right on that boob right from birth!), but that others not-so-secretly covet (sweet goodness, if only he would nap!). There are lots of superpowers, and they evolve, I imagine, through the stages of our children’s life.

Here’s the list of baby superpowers I can think of currently:

  • Can nap anywhere, anytime.
  • Naps consistently: same time, same length, every day.
  • Chills contentedly in the car seat.
  • Happily entertains oneself with zero fussies.
  • Poops like clockwork! You can set your watch by this dirty diaper.
  • Loves people and doesn’t know stranger-danger.
  • Natural breastfeeder.
  • Loves those bottles and will take one any time, from anyone.
  • Happily goes back and forth from boob to bottle. No nipple confusion here!
  • Doesn’t even notice teething. Unfazed!
  • Never gets sick!
  • Gets sick but doesn’t affect temperament and/or sleep and/or life!
  • Hits those developmental milestones early every darn time.
  • Smiles all day, every day.
  • Can self-soothe so well it’s like you’re not even needed.
  • Just loves diaper changes. Loves them! Coos and chills while you get it done.
  • Never spits up. You don’t even know the fear of a baby rolling to his tummy right after he ate, because, hey, your baby keeps that food DOWN!
  • Took to solids like a pro.
  • Cuddles with the best of them. (Secretly wish the snuggle superpower would be pretty awesome. Endless hugs and nuzzles? Yum.)

I just know there are more!  What’s your baby’s superpower?