by Growing a baby inside of you is an amazing experience, but many new parents learn the hard way that there are some mistakes that should be avoided. Here are the top 10 baby growth mistakes every parent should avoid to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their newborns and toddlers.
Common baby growth mistakes
When it comes to raising a child, most of us are bound to make mistakes. And as every parent knows, kids grow up fast! That’s why it’s important to learn from other parents’ mistakes and understand common baby growth problems. Here are some of our top 10 baby growth mistakes
1) Being a parent isn’t easy
it’s physically exhausting, mentally taxing, and often a cause of great anxiety. One area that isn’t talked about as much is how difficult being a parent can be on one’s finances.
Babies are expensive—the United States Department of Agriculture estimates that raising a child to age 17 costs between $10,000 and $20,000 per year—and it doesn’t help that most parents receive little to no education in how to properly care for their infant once he or she is born. Because of these two things (and a host of others), some parents make poor decisions when it comes to caring for their new baby.
2) It is essential to have support
Surrounding yourself with people who support your parenting efforts is essential. If there are people in your life that consistently put you down, question your decisions, or otherwise bring negativity into your child’s life – distance yourself from them as much as possible.
Being a parent can be stressful enough without having to deal with other people’s judgments and criticisms on top of it all. With that said, it is important to remember that sometimes we are our own worst critics. Always keep in mind that parenting is never perfect, but doing everything within your power to provide a safe environment for your children should always come first. Accept help when offered and don’t be afraid to ask for it when you need it!
3) Failure to consider false alarms
Much like adults, babies have growth spurts and periods of normal variation in size and weight. If you’re using a scale to weigh your baby, or even his length from time to time, make sure you compare it against averages for age and gender.
Weighing a baby too frequently can also be problematic since it encourages parents to feed on demand rather than at scheduled intervals; if your child loses a bit of weight after one feeding, for example, he may not get adequate nutrition for an entire day. Instead of weighing your baby frequently (or at all), try looking more closely at how he looks in general—his skin color and cheeks should be rosy and smooth, his clothes should fit well (not too loose or tight), etc.
4) Failure to check baby’s current nutritional state
Babies who are consistently undernourished or not growing at a healthy rate can experience stunted development, a weakened immune system, and numerous other health problems. If you’re having trouble determining whether your baby is at risk for undernutrition or malnutrition, talk to a pediatrician or dietitian as soon as possible.
They may be able to help you devise a meal plan or nutritional supplement regimen that will boost your baby’s growth and developmental patterns. Growing pains in infants can indicate that they are dehydrated and need more fluids.
5 ) Failure to take baby’s genetic endowment into account
Not every baby grows and develops at a set rate. Many babies grow more quickly, while others grow at a more gradual pace. Sometimes, growth spurts don’t occur on their own as expected; other times, they might occur too rapidly or slowly for comfort.
It’s important to take a child’s genetic endowment into account so that parents can recognize whether their child is growing properly or if additional measures need to be taken by way of increased monitoring and care. Failure to do so can result in growth mistakes, which may lead to infant health problems, injury and even death in some cases!
6) Remember that you will make mistakes
You might find yourself using baby formula or giving your baby a pacifier, or maybe you chose a crib that doesn’t meet safety standards.
You did what was best for your family and now you can use those experiences to make better decisions in future parenting situations. Simply put, there is no such thing as perfect parents—and if there were, they wouldn’t be human!
7) Failure to include baby’s length when assessing growth
The single most common mistake that parents make when it comes to determining whether their baby is growing normally, is to just look at weight alone. However, your baby’s length should also be taken into account.
The average weight gain per week for a newborn should be between 1/2 and 2 oz. If you notice your baby gaining more than 3 oz per week, then you may want to bring him or her in for a checkup just to make sure everything is okay. Keeping your child on track with growth will help ensure that he or she has good bone development and can grow up healthy and strong!
8) Failure to check if baby is normal weight
Always use your doctor as a resource to ensure that your baby is growing at a healthy rate. Many parents are unaware of how quickly and drastically newborns can change. If you are concerned about your child’s growth, do not hesitate to contact your physician.
Also keep in mind that some growth spurts are normal and should not be cause for concern. For example, growth spurts usually occur between five and seven weeks after birth, when most babies gain 5–7 ounces (150–200 grams) over one week’s time; then again at six months (6–8 ounces), nine months (10–12 ounces), 12 months (12–16 ounces) and so on until they stop gaining weight altogether at age 2 or 3 years old.
9) Not preparing for baby’s first year
When you find out you’re having a baby, it’s easy to get caught up in all of the joy and excitement. However, don’t forget that there are also some things you can do to prepare for your new bundle of joy.
Once you’ve read our top ten list, we recommend keeping a printable checklist in your kitchen so that you can mark off each item as it’s done—and finally feel ready for when your little one arrives! For more great articles from Hasbro Children’s Hospital Boston, check out their website .
10) Failure to use adjusted age for a preterm baby
As a baby grows and develops, he or she experiences many changes. One of these changes is that babies become more mature physically and mentally with each passing day. As a baby grows older, his or her adjusted age changes every week.
Failure to use adjusted age means you might be keeping your baby in an infant seat when they should really be in a convertible car seat (and vice versa). Using corrected age can ensure your child will always be in an appropriate child safety seat as they grow. Here’s how: determine their original due date (which may or may not have been correct) and add 2 months for every single week before birth, then subtract 1 month for every month after 37 weeks gestation.
Assuming more food equals faster growth
Babies can only consume so much food in a day. They don’t have an endless appetite, and it’s easy to overfeed them without knowing it. According to registered dietitian Sheena Lewis, It is not unusual for a bottle-fed baby weighing 21⁄2 pounds to consume 100 calories every 2 hours.
If you believe your child is hungry, provide some breast milk or formula, rather than solid food. Also be careful not to introduce solid foods too early; by 6 months of age, only 20 percent of babies are ready for solids. Once they do start eating solids, be sure to continue breast milk or formula until your baby is 12 months old at least.
Not getting help when you need it
You’re not alone! The first few weeks and months of parenthood can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. As a parent, your time is stretched to its limits in every way imaginable—not only are you expected to be a loving caregiver, but you have to perform basic life functions like cooking meals, cleaning house, working, making doctors’ appointments, attending school meetings.
the list goes on. It’s no wonder that new parents sometimes feel like they just don’t have enough time or energy to take care of themselves. If you find yourself feeling completely overwhelmed at any point during your baby’s first year (or years), try taking a step back for a little bit and ask for help from friends and family. You won’t regret it!
Conclusion
No matter what others say, there is a right way and a wrong way to take care of a baby. Parents often forget that they are in charge and need to lead by example.
If you are serious about your baby’s health, then carefully consider all of these tips. Just because some parents give their child soda doesn’t mean you should let your kid have it! And if you find yourself unsure about something, don’t hesitate to consult with a medical professional.
