By Natasha Mathew
Holding your bundle of joy brings with it an armful of mixed emotions. Wonder and amazement, joy and love are also coupled with confusion and anxiety of how best to care for your baby. Every child and parent is unique and no single rule book can be applied to all. Here are a few common pitfalls that new parents can watch out for.
1. Believing everything that you hear – Experienced relatives, friends and acquaintances are ready and willing to share parent-tested tips on how best to raise your baby. Acknowledge their care and concern and equip yourself with the information. What will work for your baby is something you will have to trust your gut for. Remember, your intuition is the best judge. For medical queries, do not hesitate to ask your paediatrician.
2. Panicking over everything– Parents may end up spending sleepless nights worrying about what can go wrong with their baby. Not burping enough after feeding, crying too much and sleep patterns can give new parents a headache. While it is extremely important to be fully aware of what is going on with the baby, we need to remember that babies are extremely resilient and most of these issues are completely normal.It is a good idea to take a deep breath, think logically and consult an expert if it still feels like an issue that needs more serious attention. Of course, some babies may have real health challenges that cannot be taken lightly.
3. Comparing Growth Milestones– Infant development stages chart average physical, cognitive or verbal skills that babies usually reach by a certain age. As months pass by and parents take the baby for health checks and visits to the park, there is a tendency to compare. Physical developments like a baby beginning to sit up or crawl, getting their first teeth, sleeping through the night or getting potty trained vary for each child. Every baby is unique and has a different growth cycle. Minor delays in reaching a certain marker are fine if your child lies within an acceptable range. Any aberrations can be discussed with the paediatrician on your next health check appointment.
4. Giving up ‘Me’ time–Most mothers end up spending every waking hour taking care of the baby. Between feeds, massages and numerous changes, ‘me’ time may seem like a dream, but even 30 minutes can work wonders. Try and get some sleep whenever you can. Do what you like; it could be a relaxing bath, a walk in the park, yoga, or even a quiet cup of coffee.
5. Not asking for help–Consider seekinghelp in activities that may not need your presence.Your partner and grandparents will be very happy to play with the little one while you do something else. From running the bath, changing diapers and preparing formula to reading and playing with the baby, taking care of the baby is a wonderful way for the father and child to bond. Do not hesitate; they say it takes a village to raise a child!
6. Staying holed up inside – Parents tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to their precious baby. While a baby’s immune system is developing in the first few months, getting fresh air and adequate sunshine for Vitamin-D is extremely important. A leisurely stroll in the park or driving around in the car will bring new and amazing experiences for the little one.
7. Buying too many things – Planning what to buy for the baby begins with the news of its impending arrival and the urge to buy absolutely everything is strong. The truth is that babies spend most of the time in onesies and outgrow clothes every few months. So go easy on the wardrobe shopping and complicated toys, as that is best left for a few months down the line.
8. Putting your relationship on the back burner – With their new role as parents, couple often forget that they are also partners in this journey. It is important to connect with each other on issues other than the baby, consciously making time for each other. Go for a walk together, or reserve some time to setup a dinner date once the baby is tucked in for the night.
9. Ignoring the older sibling–Second time parents are usually better prepared to handle the new-born as they can rely on prior experience. During this time, it is very important to ensure that the older sibling does not suddenly get sidelined. Let them help in simple tasks like fetching diapers and creams, singing and talking to the baby to cement a bond that will last a lifetime.
10. Not enjoying the moment – Parenthood is a joyous moment, the culmination of a dream that has been nine months in the making. By spending hours worrying about how to be the best parent, you could risk missing the present. Keep a journal, take pictures and enjoy the simple joys of your baby’s growth. Enjoy the journey and create memories that you will relive for years.
Author Bio: Natasha Mathew is part of the content development team at KinderPass, and creates content to empower parents so that they can actively contribute to the development of their 0-5-year-olds. As a mother of two, Nathasha writes from her experiences, struggles, and learnings as a parent. In her free time, you can find her doing meal-prep and cooking healthy meals with her kids. She is also an art & craft ninja and an origami fanatic.
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