As parents, we all want to give our kids the best possible start in life, and ensure that they grow up to be the happiest healthiest versions of themselves possible. In order to achieve this, we need to start doing right by them from the moment they are born. One of the many ways we can do this is by ensuring that we do not let them build bad habits that could be harmful to their health or wellbeing, because, yes, even babies can develop bad habits!
With all that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the bad habits, you should not enable your baby to build:
1. The Pacifier Dependency: Baby’s First Addiction
The pacifier – that small, plastic piece of magic that can calm a storm faster than Mary Poppins. While it’s a lifesaver in the early days, relying on it too much can turn into Baby’s First Addiction, and then, before you know it, you’re negotiating with a two-year-old who refuses to part with their “binky.” This would not be so bad, except, it is not ideal for their teeth and a baby’s oral health is so important! So, if you can avoid using one, that would be great if not, try to use it sparingly, and wean them off it as soon as you can.
2. Bottle in Bed: The Sneaky Teeth Wrecker
Letting your little one go to bed with a bottle might seem like a good idea at 2 a.m., but it’s about as beneficial as giving them a sugar cube to chew on. The milk or juice sits on their teeth all night, playing the role of the Tooth Decay Fairy. It’s far better to stick to water if they need a bottle in bed, or brace yourself for dental bills that could fund a small yacht.
3. Screen Time: The Digital Babysitter
Handing over your phone or tablet can be incredibly tempting, especially when it turns your wailing kiddo into a silent, mesmerized little angel. But too much screen time can turn into a habit quicker than you can say “Peppa Pig Marathon.” This can cause them to become couch potatoes who do too little exercise when they get older, amongst other things, so make an effort to limit their digital exposure and maybe invest in some good old-fashioned books and toys. You know, the kind that don’t require a charger.
4. Snacking All Day: The Never-Ending Buffet
Allowing constant snacking throughout the day can turn your tiny tot into a perpetual eating machine, and this could lead to health problems like obesity as they get older. Regular mealtimes and healthy snacks are the way to go with this one.
5. Always Being Held: The Arms of Steel Syndrome
Holding your baby is wonderful – until they decide that it’s the only place they ever want to be, and then it can get old fast. It’s sweet at first, but soon you’ll find yourself doing everything one-handed and developing biceps that rival a bodybuilder’s, and your baby will not learn how to be more independent which yes, they need to do.
If bad habits are not allowed to form in the first place, then kids are less likely to fall into them as they get older, so as parents we need to take responsibility and help our kids dodge the habits before they take root.
Mom on the go in Holy Toledo 