They say that you learn something new every day. I believe that to be true. This week I have learnt a new word. It's "possetting" and it relates to the feeding habits of babies. Shirley and Frances were jointly amazed that I had never heard of the term before. Feeling ashamed of myself I researched the concept, visiting an array of websites aimed at mothers. Clearly, the world of possetting is not one which men are encouraged to explore. I found the following in "Made For Mums":-
Your baby will probably regurgitate a bit of milk and saliva when she burps, which is called possetting. A muslin nappy or square draped over you while winding is a good idea to save your clothes.
I have observed that our adorable little granddaughter Phoebe - who is almost two months old now - has a special talent for possetting. She gulps so much of her mother's nutritious milk that there are regular overflows - not so much cheesy mama's milk but cloudy saliva. I wonder if there are international possetting tournaments because if there are Baby Phoebe would surely bring back a gold medal for Yorkshire.
By the way, I have taken to referring to the muslin squares as "muslims" and I apologise if this causes any offence to Islamic brothers and sisters who may be reading this blog. There are muslims all over our house now as Stewart and Frances are temporarily living here. The boiler in their rental house has broken down and needs to be replaced. It's too cold over there for an eight week old possetting champion.
Jeepers Creepers where'd ya get those peepers?
ReplyDeleteJeepers Creepers where'd ya get those eyes?
Gosh all git up, how'd they get so lit up?
Gosh all git up, how'd they get that size?
... How they hypnotize !
A 1938 song composed by Harry Warren with lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
Haggerty born in Glasgow in 1889, the same year as my hero Charlie Chaplin.
Haggerty is 131 years old? Remarkable powers of intellect and memory for one so old.
DeleteI didn't know the term either! But I definitely understand the action for which it's named. That little girl is just so precious. All of my grands had that same giraffe and they all loved it.
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way- we don't call it "winding". We call it "burping." "Have you burped the baby?" I suppose that "winding" is more refined.
That giraffe is not an "it". She is called Sophie.
DeleteWell, never having been a mum I had never heard of posseting either.
ReplyDeleteMy knowledge has now been considerably enhanced, thank you YP.
When you were a baby I bet you could posset with the best of them JayCee.
DeleteOh, lucky you to have Phoebe living (albeit temporarily) with you! What fun! Possetting sound like a fancy name for what we've always called "spitting up". Ah well. As you say, we learn something new every day.
ReplyDeletePhoebe's little giraffe that she's clutching and the hedgehogs on her clothes are adorable!
Those are no hedgehogs Auntie Jennifer. The creatures are echidnas. That outfit is from Stewart's brother in Australia.
DeleteGoodness but your little Phoebe is gorgeous. Even if she is possetting all over the place. Ps I never heard of the term either.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally in past years when I got really drunk I would sometimes posset.
DeleteJust read 'Midnight's Children' in which a favourite pastime is the game of 'Hit The Spitoon'. You could get one and have competitions.
ReplyDeleteI have always been an exceptional spitter. It is one of my natural talents.
DeleteI've never heard of "possetting" either. In America we just call it "spitting up"! Leave it to the British to come up with a classier term.
ReplyDelete"Spitting up" sounds so uncouth though I imagine that Kardashian babes do that constantly.
DeleteI had no idea there was a name for that either. Always just thought it was puke or barf. I'm glad they're with you right now, a cold house is no place for a baby and I'm sure you and Mrs. Pudding are over the moon.
ReplyDeleteIt has been so lovely to see the little one at the very start of the day when she is cooing like a dove.
DeleteWell you will now have to make a lovely Lemon Posset for one of your splendid Sunday dinners to show where that term comes from.
ReplyDeleteI still have the half dozen little towels I used for burping my babies, they're ready and waiting 34 years later for another round of duty.
Beautiful bonnie Phoebe with her perfect skin, I'll bet you spend ages gazing at her, guessing what she's thinking.I love the colour of that monogrammed jacket.
These wrinkly hands are still knitting neutrals as happily there will be no gender reveal until the big day in about 6 weeks.
Adele
Remember to call those little towels muslims Adele. Six weeks? I guess the grandbabe is due at the very end of April then. How splendid.
DeleteOh my, Phoebe is a gorgeous child! As the other Americans' stated,we just called it spitting up. I have many memories of trying to get out of the house to get to work and needing a change of clothes in a hurry. Enjoy having the family with you.
ReplyDeleteBabes do not care when they posset do they Terry.
DeleteShe really is such a beauty, I envy you a little YP.
ReplyDeleteBriony
x
There's no way we are putting her on a train and sending her to Brighton! Thanks Briony.
DeleteI certainly know babies do that but like you I have never heard the word.
ReplyDeleteHow have we lived so long without knowing what possetting is?
DeletePhoebe's grandad takes some excellent photos.
ReplyDeleteHe is a very gifted chap. I have had the privilege of meeting him several times. He is always so courteous.
DeleteMiss Phoebe is a beautiful girl! I think she looks like her Mum. I have never heard the term "possetting" so you have taught me something new. Here we burp babies on our shoulders and sometimes they will spit up as others have said. Enjoy having that precious girl at your home for a bit! You know it is your job to spoil her!
ReplyDeleteI believe that I am performing that role splendidly Bonnie.
DeleteHere in Atlantic Canada it's called spitting up also, and the resulting dribbles are called (without any creativity) "spit-up". Possetting reminds me of "cosseting", which is something else entirely.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure you didn't have anything to do with the boiler malfunction?? ha
Phoebe sure is sweet -- and lucky to have so much love in her life.
Spitting involves deliberate muscular expulsion so I am surprised that an involuntary overflow of saliva mingled with milk from little babies should have the term "spitting" connected with it.
DeleteI'm always amazed at how rapidly these little characters develop.
ReplyDeleteHer weight has almost doubled in two months.
DeleteHow quickly they pass the very newborn stage! I believe she looks like Frances?
ReplyDeleteI never know who babies look like until they're maybe eighteen months old.
DeleteShe is coming on very nicely....beautiful girl ! I had vaguely heard of possetting but not a word I have ever used. (Even the computer doesn't know it as there is a red line under it !)
ReplyDeleteI love the pink cardigan....did Mrs P ( or you?) knit it? I would quite like access to the pattern if that is so.
Sorry Frances that pink cardigan was machine made and a gift from a friend. If you wish I will find out the manufacturer.
DeleteWhat a beauty Phoebe is YP - you are justly right to be proud of her. Have you decided who she most takes after? This always seems to be the game families, and close friends play!
ReplyDeleteI knew that the name possetting was somehow familiar. After picking Mr Google's brains, it turns out that Posset is an ancient, peculiarly British, drink - made with warm milk, curdled with wine or ale, often spiced, and frequently used as a remedy. I wonder if whoever thought up possetting, had that in mind when they decided that a burp should be better named?
What a disgusting thought CG!
DeleteBy the way, I think the "Who does she look like" game is a bit silly. Babies look like babies.
Compliments to whoever knitter Phoebe's pink cardigan. The ability to achieve such even tension and perefct edges in garter stitch is a rare and beautiful skill.
ReplyDeleteSorry to admit this Tigger but that particular cardigan was produced by a manufacturer rather than a home knitter.
DeleteLovely story, I'm glad you are keeping Phoebe warm whilst their rental home is cold. Yorkshire is freezing at the moment!
ReplyDeleteSouth Yorkshire is balmy - rather like the Caribbean compared with North Yorkshire. Sorry - must go and water the palm trees.
DeletePS: I have a question. Did you sneak over in the dead of night to disable Frances and Stewart's boiler?
ReplyDeleteHow did you guess?
DeleteClint ratted you out.
DeleteIf you'd looked after our three boys you'd have heard of posetting long before now - it's effectively a posh word for puking of course!
ReplyDelete