5 Things You Should Not Do to Baby – (that you probably have already done)

Either because you didn’t know, or you didn’t realize, chances are you have done one of the mistakes below- and that’s the best case scenario. How about having done all five mistakes? Well, it’s not the end of the world and you are definitely not alone! Some of the most typical and recurrent parental mistakes can be avoided.

One step at a time.

1. Don’t add sugar or salt to the baby’s food! Maybe to you yogurt is too sour, or lentils become inedible without a pinch of salt. Yet, this is not how babies feel. Being unaccustomed to different tastes, they can get used to eating everything the right way, which usually means closest to its natural form. Why don’t you see it as chance for you to start up right again?!

2.  Don’t yell at a baby. A piece of paper is just a piece of paper to it and its natural place is the mouth. Now, if Picasso painted and then signed on it, too bad for you. Remember: yelling will not help solve the problem, will scare the baby and make you feel as guilty as hell.

3. Respect the baby’s pace. Babies should be born when it’s the right time for them and will breastfeed as much as they need to. They usually don’t enjoy having all kinds of crap on their heads; neither do they feel comfortable in tiny suits and gowns or over-sized shoes. The time for everything will come. Try to enjoy the moment- it flies.

4. Don’t fight in front of the baby. Ideally, don’t fight at all. Yet, you are tired, probably haven’t had sex for ages, you are sleep deprived and your hormones might be still a little crazy – give each other some space and a lot of understanding. When that seems impossible, wait for a naptime or take it outside!

5. Don’t violate your own rules or, in other words, lead by example. If you are trying to persuade your baby that bathing is fun, there is no stronger way than you having the time of your life in the bathtub. Babies are very perceptive and they will do what we practice rather than what we preach. Parents are only human and so are mistakes. None of the above will scar your baby, if they occur randomly. If you are being systematic, though, be prepared to deal with the consequences.

If your baby approaches one year of age and you haven’ t ever done any of the above, you are a super-parent and maybe you should be writing this article. The rest of us, have probably violated one rule or other, on one occasion or more. It hasn’t damaged our babies- probably the guilts have taken a bigger toll on us. Violation comes with the idea of rule and we are not perfect. Our ideals should be though. And rules keep you on the right track.