🍼 Beginnings with a baby: what to avoid without feeling guilty

Welcoming a newborn is a mixture of joy, wonder... and doubts! Even with the best intentions, it's easy to make certain mistakes simply because we're not always taught them, or because certain preconceived notions persist. Here are 16 mistakes to avoid—some well-known, others much less obvious—to properly support your baby in their first weeks of life.

🛌 1. Put baby to sleep on his stomach

Why it's dangerous:

This increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome . It is recommended to always put your baby to sleep on their back , on a firm mattress, without a pillow or blanket.

🍼 2. Not respecting your hunger signals

Common Mistake: Forcing a fixed schedule or waiting too long.

What to do: Meet demand. Newborns eat frequently, often every 2 to 4 hours.

💧 3. Giving water to a baby under 6 months old

Why it's risky: It can cause electrolyte imbalance and harm your child's health. Milk (breast or formula) is enough to keep your child well hydrated.

🌡️ 4. Covering it too much or not enough

Problem: Newborns have poor temperature regulation.

Tip: One more layer than you would wear yourself is enough. If he feels hot (sweaty neck), remove a layer.

🚿 5. Cleaning the cord with irritating products

Avoid: Alcohol or harsh antiseptics.

What to do: Keep it dry and clean , and let it fall naturally (about 1 to 2 weeks).

🛒 6. Going out too fast or in crowded places

Why it's risky: Their immune system is still fragile. Avoid crowds, sick people, or noisy places for the first few weeks.

😐 7. Underestimating the impact of overstimulation

We often think that babies are bored and need constant stimulation.

👉 Subtle mistake: Too much noise, toys, handling or interaction can overstimulate him , which leads to crying, irritability, and even sleep disturbances.

🧠 Baby needs quiet moments, silence and simple observation .

⏱️ 8. Not respecting your waking windows

A newborn may only stay awake for 45 to 60 minutes before needing to go back to sleep.

👉 Common mistake: Waiting too long before falling asleep can cause overtiredness , making it harder to fall asleep.

🪞 9. Not giving enough tummy time

Babies need to spend a few minutes a day on their tummies from birth (under supervision) to develop neck muscles and prevent flat heads (plagiocephaly).

👉 Many parents forget or think it's too early.

💬 10. Talking too much, too soon, about “good” or “bad babies”

Saying that a baby is “good” because he sleeps a lot or cries little can make parents of a more demanding baby feel guilty.

👉 All babies are different. There are no “difficult” or “easy” babies , just different needs.

🍃 11. Thinking that absolute calm is necessary for him to sleep

👉 In fact, a baby can sleep very well in an environment with soft background noise (e.g., white noise, vacuum cleaner, fan). Over-conditioning him to absolute silence can make it difficult to sleep outside the home .

🚼 12. Ignoring early signs of distress or discomfort

Crying is a late signal.

👉 Baby communicates first with movements, grimaces, small noises . Learning to recognize these allows you to respond before he really cries .

🧠 13. Forgetting that babies sense adults' emotional states

👉 Even a very young baby can feel the stress. If a parent is very stressed, anxious, or angry, this can affect the baby (crying, restless sleep, etc.).

It's better to take a break, breathe, or ask for help.

🧴 14. Over-cleaning your private parts

In little girls, cleaning the lips too deeply or using wipes constantly can upset the natural flora.

👉 Warm water and a little mild soap are all you need. No need to sanitize!

📅 15. Comparing your baby to other people's babies

👉 Every baby has their own rhythm : some hold their head up early, others smile later. Comparing yourself to others (or to social media) generates unnecessary stress.

💡 16. Neglecting yourself by thinking that “baby comes first”

👉 It's not selfish to take care of yourself. A rested and supported parent will always be a better parent .

Sleeping, eating, asking for help, these are essential — not incidental.

In conclusion

Being a parent is a daily learning process. There is no perfection to be achieved, only love, attention, and a little common sense . And sometimes, avoiding a few invisible pitfalls can really make all the difference in the sweetness of everyday life with baby. Because taking care of yourself also means taking care of your baby. Don't hesitate to visit our "For Mom" ​​section in our online store. 🌸

Julie, Lilac Khaki