6 Common Mistakes Parents Make with Their Newborns

Bringing your new bundle of joy home from the hospital is an exciting and nerve-wracking experience. You’ll likely be afraid of making parenting mistakes as you navigate the first few weeks and months of your baby’s life, which is completely normal.

Babies don’t come with instruction manuals, so you’re bound to make mistakes. The good news is that parenting isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, and there’s room for error. Read on to discover several common parenting mistakes new make and how to avoid them

1 Mistake in Preparing Baby Formula

Some newborns have problems digesting certain formulas. Before jumping to this conclusion, though, make sure you’re following the directions on the baby formula container exactly to ensure your little one is getting the proper nutrition.

If you’re preparing your newborn’s bottles properly and they’re still having issues, talk to your pediatrician about switching to a different type of formula. It could be that your child is lactose intolerant, for example, and needs to be on a lactose-free baby formula to resolve the issues.

2 Burping Mistakes

Many new parenting mistakes make them by not burping their little ones properly. Believe it or not, you should try to burp your baby before feeding and then again afterward. The idea is that if you feed your newborn on a gas-free stomach, get a good feed in, and then burp again afterward, they will be less likely to spit up or be gassy later. There are several techniques for burping your baby, so experiment to find the one that works best for your little one.

3 Feeding Mistakes

In the beginning, newborns need to eat every 2-3 hours, meaning you should wake them for feeding times. After about the 2–3-month mark, however, it’s totally fine to let your baby sleep as long as they want and let them tell you when they are hungry. It’s completely possible to have a baby that sleeps through the night by this point if you feed on demand and not on a schedule.

4 Sleeping Mistakes

SIDS is a real concern for new parents, as sleep-related deaths affect some 3,500 babies each year. With that said, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all newborns be placed on their backs for sleep. In addition, there should be no soft bedding or toys in the crib while they sleep. These guidelines will give your baby the best chance of not falling victim to sleep-related issues.

5 Car Seat Mistakes

Car seat mistakes are probably the most common among new parents. The best way to learn how to put your baby in a car seat is to practice before your baby is born. Practice securing the seat in the car to ensure a tight placement at the right angle. Use a stuffed animal to practice strapping your little one in so you get it right when the time comes. 

Remember, the hospital staff cannot place your baby in the seat for you, nor can they help you with this crucial task. So, be sure you know what you’re doing when it’s time to leave the hospital with your little one.

6 Social Mistakes

For the first two months of a newborn’s life, its immune system isn’t fully developed. As much as you want to show off your little miracle, resist the temptation to take them into crowded places or large family gatherings for a couple of months after they’re born. 

Newborns don’t come with instruction manuals, but with the help of this article, you can avoid some of the more common parenting mistakes made with new babies.