As a new parent, you either feel very confident that you know what you are doing, or you may feel as if you are going to do something to mess up your baby forever. You shouldn't worry too much, as raising healthy babies is not as hard as you may think it is. The trick is knowing when you need help or advice. You have family and friends to help you, and you can always talk to a doctor when you need help. The problem can be getting bad advice. If something does not sound right to you, question it and find out more before you make a mistake.
It can be hard to tell your mother in law that something she did with her children is no longer done because it has been proven to be bad for a baby. Some put sugary syrups in bottles, but research has determined that this is not the best thing to do when raising healthy babies. Some of the older generations may have given baby a bottle of water when they were very young to stretch out times between feedings, but that is not a good idea. In fact, with a newborn, that can be downright dangerous. If baby is hungry, they need calories. Water artificially fills them when they need food, and can throw off their system. Ask your doctor before you give water or add anything to a bottle.
Some people say that the best way to get a baby to sleep through the night would be to let them cry it out. Healthy babies need sleep, as this is when they are growing and developing. However, the man who wrote about getting babies to sleep by allowing them to cry did not recommend what most think of as the Ferber method. You do not leave baby crying until they fall asleep. If you want to try this method, make sure you read the literature rather than just doing what you heard it was all about. Babies need to know you will come when they cry. This builds trust and security.
Healthy babies need love and attention from their parents. Some will not hold their baby when he or she cries or they will try to otherwise train them. Someone told them they are going to spoil the baby or that the baby is manipulating them into getting what they want. The truth is that babies can not manipulate you and you can not spoil a baby. They cry when they need food, a fresh diaper, sleep, or comfort and love. Those are the basic necessities of life. The more you respond to them, the better they are going to be in the long run. Love is a huge part of raising healthy babies.
Healthy babies also need good medical attention. Immunizations are a topic of debate, but remember that medical research has concluded that immunizations do not cause autism. If you are concerned about your babies shots or what might be in those shots, talk to your doctor about your concerns. The choice is ultimately up to you, of course, but don't dismiss these just because of something you read on the Internet. Get the facts and then make the choice you feel will lead to healthy babies in your family.
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