Sanskaari Survival Guide – A Sanskaari Saturday Special 🪔
Welcome to another edition of Sanskaari Survival Guide, where we take beloved Indian parenting quirks and decode them with equal parts wisdom, wit, and wide-eyed wonder. This week, we’re unraveling a mystery that’s baffled generations:
Why is your baby in a committed relationship with the ceiling fan?
Let’s find out, shall we?
Why Indian Babies Are Born Fans of the Fan 🌀
Picture this: you’ve just laid your baby down for a nap. You’re tiptoeing out, channeling ninja energy. And boom—baby’s eyes shoot open. Not at you. Not at your lovingly hand-painted mural.
But at the ceiling fan.
Again.
If you’re an Indian parent (or, honestly, any parent living in a tropical country with 2+ ceiling fans per room), you’ve probably wondered:
Why is my baby OBSESSED with that ceiling fan?
Let’s dig into this hilariously universal baby phenomenon — with some science, some sanskaar, and just enough sass.
So… Is My Baby Weird? 👶
Short answer: Nope. Your baby is just… a baby.
Newborns and young infants are drawn to high-contrast visuals, slow repetitive motion, and light sources — all of which ceiling fans absolutely deliver on. They’re practically the baby’s version of Netflix.
- The contrast of the spinning blades against the ceiling.
- The movement — slow, rhythmic, and oddly hypnotic.
- The light bouncing off the blades — especially if it’s a tube light day.
📌 In science-y terms: Babies under 4 months can’t fully track objects or distinguish fine detail. So a spinning fan = soothing visual stimulation, not just household decor.
But Why Indian Babies? 🌬️
Ceiling fans are to Indian homes what WiFi is to modern life — non-negotiable. They’re in every room, and they’re always on.
And when you’re a tiny human spending 80% of your time on your back… well, the ceiling is your TV, and the fan is the best show on.
Plus, Indian grandmas love to say things like:
“Usko hawa achhi lagti hai. Thoda nazar utar dena.”
Translation: The baby likes the breeze. Also, let’s do a little anti-evil-eye just in case.
Well, that’s not wrong either.
Nazar, or Just Neural Pathways? 👁️
There’s a long-standing belief in many Indian homes that babies get fixated on objects (like fans) because of “nazar” — the evil eye.
And when the baby cries or won’t sleep afterward? You’ll probably hear:
“Fan ko dekh ke nazar lag gayi.”
While we won’t dismiss tradition — because hello, nazar ka kala teeka still lives rent-free on our baby’s forehead — there’s also a totally valid neurological explanation.
- ✔️ Fixating on a fan can help babies develop tracking and focusing skills.
- ✔️ It’s a form of self-soothing and mental stimulation.
So yes, your baby might just be a budding scientist, not someone cursed by Bua’s neighbour’s side-eye.
Should I Be Worried? 😰
Only if:
- Your baby seems unresponsive to other things
- Has delayed motor milestones
- Or stares at the fan excessively even at 6+ months with no eye contact or babbling
In such cases, talk to your pediatrician. Otherwise, fan-staring is developmentally normal and passes — often around the time crawling starts (new distractions, woohoo!).
But Just In Case… How to Break the Spell 🧿
Here’s what worked for us when our baby refused to look at anything but the ceiling:
- Offer contrast toys like black-and-white cards or colorful danglers 🧸
- Play soft music or rattles near their field of vision 🎶
- Go outside — trees are the original ceiling fans 🌞
- Make silly faces 👀 (worked 3 out of 5 times. OK, 2.)
Oh, and if Dadi insists on a nimbu-mirchi ritual or lighting camphor under the crib — smile, nod, and take the baby out for fresh air instead.
Juju Takeaway 💡
The ceiling fan obsession is:
- Totally normal ✅
- Surprisingly educational ✅
- A rite of passage for Indian babies ✅
And like all phases — this too shall spin and pass.
So the next time your baby gazes up like they’ve seen a god, just know:
It’s not a spiritual awakening (yet).
It’s just the ceiling fan doing what it does best — blowin’ minds and coolin’ butts since birth.
PS: Did your baby have a weird obsession? The curtain tassel? The fridge light? The shadow of your chappal?
Tell me in the comments — let’s decode Desi Baby Behavior together!
Sanskaari Survival Guide 📿
This post is part of our Sanskaari Survival Guide series — your weekly dose of clarity, comfort, and cultural chaos management. Every Sanskaari Saturday, we dive into traditions, tantrums, and truths behind why Indian parenting looks the way it does — and how to make it work for you.
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