Todd was strapped into his high-chair waiting for lunch when Mrs Brown arrived. âWe have a new food for you to tryâ, she told him. Todd sighed heavily wondering what revolting concoction of root vegetables they had come up with this time.
âWeâve had a lot of customers ask if we could produce a formula for older babies. One that would supply the dietary requirements of an older baby all in one bottle so that their babies could be fed nothing but the formula and remain healthy.â
Todd looked puzzled as she took from her bag a large baby bottle with an off-white liquid inside. âSo can we feed Baby Todd nothing but this formula for a month so we can then do blood tests and make sure that it is delivering all the necessary nutrients?â âAbsolutely weâd be delighted to be part of your trial, wouldnât we?â his mother didnât really ask Todd as she took the large bottle.
âThe portions need to be quite large of course for our big babyâ, Mrs Brown explained the large baby bottle. âOf courseâ, his mother removed his soother and replaced it with the bottle of formula. Todd started suc-king obediently and the thick liquid filled his mouth. He swallowed and noted that there was practically no taste which in itself was disturbing. At least it was better than the horrid baby foods they had devised.
His mother left him holding his bottle as he continued to suc-k. The formula filled him up alright but there was little pleasure in it. His mother eventually took the empty bottle and replaced his soother. âSo absolutely nothing but formula for a monthâ, she confirmed. âNnngggghh!â Todd protested. The ladies just walked away and discussed the ingredients, ignoring Todd squirming and kicking his legs in his high-chair in protest.
On Sunday his mother insisted on a pleasant family meal together so he sat strapped into his high-chair positioned alongside the dinner table. His mother and Lucy sat digging in to their roast chicken and gravy while Todd suc-ked unhappily on his tasteless formula. A few pitiful whimpers emitted from him every now and again as the smell of the chicken got the better of him.
Lucy cut off a small piece of chicken. âMummy can I give Baby Todd just a little a taste?â His mouth immediately watered at the prospect and he looked desperately at his mummy. âNo dear. Thatâs very kind of you but you know he mustnât have anything but formula for the whole month.â âNnnggggh!â Lucy shrugged and popped the chicken into her own mouth. âOnly three weeks to go!â Todd sighed and continued suc-king on his formula.
The next day his mummy took Lucyâs teacher up on her offer to look after him for a day. Todd wanted to cry as his mummy fluffed out the petticoats on his pink dress, made sure his frilly nappy cover was pulled up straight over his pink tights and adjusted his bonnet. âThey are going to love you!â Todd suc-ked hard on his soother as he was strapped into his reins.
They must have been at the school gates for fifteen minutes as lots of mums wanted to admire his baby outfit. âAnd he really uses his nappies?â âOh he has to wear them now, he has lost his control.â Todd squirmed in his tights actually desperate to get into the school now and away from this attention.
Lucy tugged him still on his reins into her classroom. Most of the children roared laughing as Todd futilely tried to push his petticoats down as much as he could. One puzzled girl asked âwhy is your big brother wearing a nappy and dressed like a baby girl?â
âNaughty Todd made fun of me when I had to wear training pants so my mummy put him in nappies as a punishment.â He could tell from the childrenâs reaction that they thought that was fitting. âAnd your neighbours thought he looked cute in frilly dresses and have kept him supplied since, isnât that rightâ, her teacher added. Lucy nodded enthusiastically.
Todd relaxed a little as the humiliating explanation appeared to be over. âOf course, he needs to wear nappies now because he canât control any more.â Todd cringed. The children all laughed. He started wetting his nappy.
He was led to the play-pen set up at the top of the room and pushed in. He was terrified that the pee sloshing round in his nappy would squirt out when he sat down and did so very carefully. But Lucy knew the signs. âOh heâs wet his nappy already!â All eyes turned on him. âOh dearâ, the teacher came over.
âHe only just had his nappy changed his morningâ, Lucy told them all. âI canât believe he has wet himself already!â The class laughed louder. Todd started crying. âOh there, there, weâll get you changedâ, the teacher tried to sooth him.
She let him out of the play-pen and fetched his changing bag. âHow many nappies did your mother provide do you know?â âHe usually needs about four changes a dayâ, Lucy explained, âone after each bottle of formula.â The teacher rummaged in the bag. âOnly two here, I supposed she thought that would be enough. Letâs hope.â
Todd waddled towards the door, sniffling and suc-king hard on his soother as the children laughed. âTake him to the nurse will you?â the teacher asked Lucy as she handed her his changing bag.
âI bet these children have never seen an old-style pinned-on nappy before. We must show them laterâ, she added. Toddâs eyes-widened. âHhnnngg?â