Parenting is tough, and if you’re a parent, caregiver, or even someone who occasionally babysits little ones, you may sometimes feel that there are a lot of things we have to do for babies. There is so much advice, so many products, and so many care practices to follow, and sometimes, it can be overwhelming.
We also hear about the things we should do when it comes to baby care, but what about the things we should not do? We don’t often get advice on that, and that is a big problem because, sometimes, we might inadvertently put our little ones at risk of serious health issues or harm by simply doing things we thought were harmless.
Don’t worry—from an expert’s point of view, we will be going through ten things you should not do when caring for babies. We want to ensure that you’re doing your best to help them grow and develop properly, but we also want to make sure that you’re making their days as safe as possible.
10 Things Not to Do with Babies
1. Don’t Shake the Baby
Shaking a baby is not only harmful to them, but it is also extremely dangerous. You might feel the urge to shake a crying baby in a fit of frustration, or if you happen to lift them up and they accidentally bump their head, you might get so startled that you shake them out of instinct.
Why you shouldn’t do it: The baby’s head and brain are very fragile, and the softness of their skulls, combined with rough movement, can cause brain damage, blindness, and even death.
Tip: You can put the baby in their crib or a place where they cannot fall, and let them cry for a little while until you feel calmer.
Related : 5 Signs Your Baby Is Ready To Stop Napping
2. Don’t Leave the Baby Unattended on a High Surface
There have been far too many unfortunate incidents where a baby has been left alone on a high surface, only to roll over and fall. We know how distracting it can be, and it might even seem so silly that it couldn’t happen to you, but it can—and very easily.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Babies have zero control over their movements, especially newborns. It only takes a fraction of a second for them to get into danger if left on a high surface.
Tip: Even if you have to turn away for a second or do something urgent, always keep one hand on the baby and never leave them on a high surface. It’s just not worth the risk.
3. Don’t Use Pillows, Blankets, or Stuffed Animals in the Crib
Covering up the baby’s crib with pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals might seem like a cute and cozy idea, but it is actually extremely dangerous. Babies are very delicate, and we want them to be snug and comfortable in their crib, but we must be careful about what we put in there with them.
The biggest concern is suffocation. If your baby rolls over and gets their face in between the stuffed animals, there are even more risks of injury.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Babies have no head or body control when they first start rolling, and if they roll over with pillows or stuffed animals near them, they can suffocate.
Tip: Use only a firm mattress with a fitted sheet, and avoid loose items. If you need a blanket, use a wearable one.
Related :Nightmares and Night Terrors in Babies: Causes and What to Do
4. Don’t Let the Baby Sleep on Their Stomach
Sleeping on your stomach can be more comfortable for many of us, and while it is an acceptable sleeping position for adults, it is not good for babies. Stomach sleeping is linked to many cases of SIDS because of what happens when a baby sleeps on their stomach.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Babies who sleep on their stomachs tend to re-breathe their expired air, which can lead to suffocation and a lack of oxygen.
Tip: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, both for naps and overnight, even if they tend to roll over to their stomach. It helps them get a better and safer sleep.
5. Don’t Give the Baby Honey
Honey is delicious, it’s a natural product, and we all give our babies something sweet when they’re a little older and ready for it. But until then, we highly recommend that you don’t give honey to your baby, especially if they’re still under one year old.
Babies under the age of one are at risk for a condition called botulism, which is caused by bacteria that can be found in honey. This is a potentially fatal infection of the nervous system.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Babies are much more likely to develop this condition than older children and adults, and their digestive systems are simply not ready for it.
Tip: Don’t give honey or products that may contain honey, such as cereals and other processed foods, until your baby is one year or older.
Related :7 Things to Do When Your Baby Is Teething
6. Don’t Overdress the Baby
We all love to see our babies bundled up, looking warm and cozy, but overdressing them can be dangerous. Babies sweat more easily than adults, especially when they are warm.
While they can’t regulate their temperatures as efficiently as we can, sometimes we go overboard, making sure they are extra warm, only to find out they’re way too hot for their own good.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Overheating your baby can lead to health issues, including SIDS, and they can’t tell us they’re uncomfortable, unlike an adult or an older child.
Tip: Dress your baby in layers that can be easily removed, and check their neck, back, and tummy to see if they are overheating.
7. Don’t Hold the Baby While Using Your Phone or Driving
We’ve all been there. Our babies are quiet on our laps, and we have a few minutes to ourselves to check messages or play a quick game on the phone. It seems harmless, and it’s convenient to have our babies with us, but it can be very dangerous.
This includes driving as well—when we’re focused on the road, we might miss something happening with the baby. If you use your phone while holding your baby, or drive with them in your car seat, you should really stop.
Why you shouldn’t do it: You’re not 100% focused on your baby or the road while you’re distracted, and this can easily lead to an accident.
Tip: If you’re holding your baby, you shouldn’t be on your phone. If you’re driving, the baby should be in the car seat, and you shouldn’t have them in your arms.
Related : 10 Ways to Train Your Baby to Sit
8. Don’t Force the Baby to Take a Bottle or Pacifier
Sometimes our babies don’t want to take a pacifier or bottle, and that can be frustrating. We might feel like they are being difficult or that they’re not hungry or in need of pacifying. However, forcing a baby to take a bottle or pacifier can cause feeding, attachment, and trust issues.
Why you shouldn’t do it: Forcing the bottle or pacifier can confuse the baby between bottle and breastfeeding, making things more difficult later on.
Tip: Wait for the right moment when the baby is ready to take a pacifier or bottle, but if they refuse, there’s no need to force it.
9. Don’t Use Baby Powder or Talcum Powder
It might seem like a basic, harmless part of baby care, and many of us grew up with our parents using baby powder on us. But things change, and we now know that baby powders can be harmful.
Baby powder is extremely easy to inhale, which can cause irritation to the baby’s lungs and respiratory tract.
Why you shouldn’t do it: The baby can inhale the powder if it is airborne, which can lead to irritation and lung damage.
Tip: Instead of baby powder, use creams, lotions, or oils to keep your baby’s skin soft and hydrated.
Related : How to Help Your Baby Sleep Better
10. Don’t Skip Regular Pediatric Visits
This might seem like an easy thing to get right because, for the most part, you’ll visit your pediatrician for your baby’s regular shots and health checks.
The problem is that sometimes babies seem fine for long stretches of time. If they aren’t due for a shot, or their appointment is in a week or so, you might think it’s okay to skip.
Why you shouldn’t do it: If your baby has any health conditions that might not be visible or tangible to you, it might be a problem for their future development.
Tip: Always keep your baby on a regular schedule of visits, even if they seem perfectly healthy and not due for any shots.
Conclusion
We hope this article has been helpful, and we also hope you can use this as a reference to ensure you are not accidentally endangering your baby with your actions. The last thing any of us wants is to harm our babies or put them in danger.
Raising a child can be difficult and often overwhelming, but sometimes just knowing what not to do is half the battle. With these 10 tips and guidelines, you should be more than prepared to care for your little one and ensure that their environment is both loving and safe.
Of course, every baby is different, and what works for one parent or caregiver might not work for another. If you have any questions or concerns, make sure to consult your pediatrician, as they will be able to help.
Save the pin for later
