12 Things NOT To Do with a Newborn
Avoid these common safety hazards and stress-inducing mistakes in the first 3 months.
There are thousands of articles telling you what you should do as a new parent, and it would take a lifetime to read them all.
This article takes the opposite approach. Instead of adding to your to-do list, we're listing the common mistakes that should be avoided at all costs.
1. Don't Microwave (or Shake) Milk
Microwaves heat unevenly, creating invisible "hot spots" that can scald a baby's mouth even if the bottle feels cool.
Why not shake? Vigorous shaking creates air bubbles that cause painful gas (colic). For breastmilk, it may also damage the delicate living cells that protect your baby.
Do this instead: Use a bottle warmer or warm water. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the fat layers without introducing air.
2. Don't Use Loose Bedding
Blankets, pillows, crib bumpers, and stuffed animals increase the risk of SIDS and suffocation.
Do this instead: Use a fitted sheet only. If it's cold, use a wearable blanket (sleep sack) or swaddle (until they show signs of rolling).
3. Don't Prop the Bottle
Propping a bottle (using a pillow/blanket to hold it) is a major choking hazard. It also increases the risk of ear infections as milk pools in the ear tubes.
Do this instead: Always hold the baby during feeds. It prevents choking, avoids overfeeding, and is a crucial time for bonding.
4. Don't Ignore a Fever (< 3 Months)
For a newborn under 3 months, a rectal temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is a medical emergency. Their immune systems are not yet developed.
Do this instead: Go to the ER or call your pediatrician immediately. Do not give Tylenol before speaking to a doctor (it masks symptoms).
5. Don't Let Visitors Kiss the Baby
HSV-1 (the cold sore virus) is common in adults but can be fatal to newborns. It can spread even without an active sore.
Do this instead: Enforce a strictly "hands only" policy for visitors. "Look, don't touch" for faces.
6. Don't Give Water
Babies under 6 months get all their hydration from milk. Water can dilute their electrolytes, leading to seizures (water intoxication).
Do this instead: Stick to breastmilk or formula. If it's hot outside, just feed them more milk.
7. Don't Obsess Over a Schedule
Newborns do not have a circadian rhythm. Trying to force a "9am nap" will only result in frustration for everyone.
Do this instead: Follow "Wake Windows" (usually 45-60 mins for newborns), and watch for sleep cues like yawning or red eyebrows.
8. Don't Sleep in Devices (Swings/Dock-a-tots)
If a baby's chin falls to their chest in an inclined device, it can cut off their airway (positional asphyxia). It happens silently.
Do this instead: If they fall asleep in a swing or car seat (outside the car), transfer them to a flat, firm crib or bassinet as soon as possible.
9. Don't Overheat the Baby
New parents often over-bundle. Overheating is a significant risk factor for SIDS. Cold hands and feet are normal due to poor circulation.
Do this instead: Check their chest or back of the neck. If it's sweaty or hot, they are overdressed. One more layer than you are wearing is a good rule of thumb.
10. Don't Leave Unattended on High Surfaces
"He can't roll yet" is a famous last word. Babies can wiggle, kick, or reflexively arch themselves off changing tables or sofas in a split second.
Do this instead: Keep one hand on the baby at all times when elevated. Change diapers on the floor if you need to step away.
11. Don't Skip Burping
It's tempting to let a sleeping baby lie down immediately after a feed, but trapped air is a recipe for screaming later.
Do this instead: Keep them upright for 10-15 mins after a feed to get that burp out. It prevents gas pain and spit-ups.
12. Don't Swing or Shake Vigorously
Parents often rock harder to soothe a crying baby without realizing it. But a newborn's brain is fragile and "floats" inside the skull. Vigorous swinging can cause the brain to bounce against the skull walls.
Do this instead: Keep movements slow, rhythmic, and gentle. Support the neck always. If the baby's head is flopping, you are rocking too hard.