10 Common Mistakes Parents Make With Newborns

Dr. Sandip Gupta

Dr. Sandip Gupta, pediatrician, explains 10 common mistakes parents make with newborns and small babies — the ones that come from confusing advice given by relatives, friends and elders, and that end up harming the baby. The 10 mistakes covered: 1. Not giving vitamin D drops Vitamin D must be given daily from birth until 1 year — 400 international units. Simplest approach: use a drop with 400 IU per ml and give 1 ml daily until the baby's first birthday. If your drop is 800 IU per ml, give 0.5 ml. It can be given any time of day, morning or evening. This is the recommendation of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Pediatrics and WHO, because babies are mostly breastfed in the first year and mother's milk, though complete in other nutrients, does not have adequate vitamin D. 2. Applying things to the umbilical cord stump Nothing should be applied to the navel — not kajal, oil, ghee, and in some places even cow dung, which risks serious umbilical infection. Leave it dry and let it fall off on its own. No dip bath in the first 7 to 10 days until the cord falls — only sponge bathing, wiping the body with a wet cloth. 3. Giving ghutti, honey, sugar or water right after birth The practice of elders giving honey, sugar or ghutti before the first feed is wrong and risks infection. Honey is not recommended under 1 year — it can cause botulism, which carries a risk of death. Sugar and ghutti are not needed either. Start breastfeeding directly and as early as possible after birth, which keeps the baby safe and provides the right calories and nutrition. If elders wish to bless the baby, they can place a hand on the baby's head. 4. Applying kajal in the eyes Kajal in the eyes causes harm: infection from your hands, allergy known as kajal conjunctivitis, and kajal particles blocking the passage through which tears drain into the nose, causing watery eyes. If you want to apply kajal for warding off the evil eye, apply it as a tika on the head, cheek, behind the ear, or the sole of the foot — never in the eyes. 5. Using mustard oil or ghee for massage Mustard oil and ghee are very thick and block the skin pores through which sweat comes out, causing rashes. Mustard oil also contains many irritants that can cause skin rashes. Use simple coconut oil instead — it nourishes and keeps the skin healthy and moist. Also covered under massage: Getting massage done by a hired dai: any illness she has can transfer to the baby, and rough massage — hanging the baby upside down or by the arms or legs — can injure the baby's delicate body. Family members giving a gentle massage is better. Putting oil in the baby's nose, ears or anus thinking it cleans them — it does not, and it risks infection. (A separate video covers correct nose cleaning.) 6. Playing roughly — tossing or shaking Tossing the baby in the air or shaking the body back and forth vigorously while playing risks brain injury and neck injury, because the baby's body is delicate. Always support the neck and play gently. 7. Forgetting to change the diaper A synthetic disposable diaper absorbs the moisture so the baby doesn't feel wet, but stool and urine stay in contact with the skin for a long time and the irritant material damages the skin, causing chafing and rashes. Change the diaper every 3 to 4 hours. Cotton diapers are better because the baby cries to tell you it is wet, and cotton allows better air circulation, keeping the skin healthy; absorbable cotton diapers are also available now. 8. Giving water to a baby under 6 months Babies under 6 months do not need water. Mother's milk is 80–90% water and formula milk also has adequate water, so the requirement is met. If you think the baby needs water, breastfeed or formula feed more frequently instead. Extra water fills the baby's small stomach, so the baby drinks less milk, gets fewer calories and may lose weight. Water can be started slowly, little by little, after 6 months. 9. Starting cow's milk too early Cow's milk cannot be given as milk or as a milk replacement before 1 year: it has very strong protein a baby cannot digest before a year, high sodium that loads the kidneys, and low iron, risking iron deficiency. Starting it too early causes cow milk protein allergy, with undigested protein leading to diarrhoea, loose motions and various complications. After 6 months (180 days), cow's milk can be used cooked with cereals — rice, dalia, oats — as food. As a milk replacement for mother's milk or formula, only after the first birthday at 12 completed months. 10. Using gripe water for gas Gripe water is an unregulated product containing sugar, peppermint and sodium bicarbonate, with no standard composition — every company makes its own. It is not safe and not recommended. For gas, use a simeticone-based drop: for babies under 6 months, 5 drops up to three times a day; for babies over 6 months with gas, 10 drops. Get the baby checked by a doctor first to confirm it is only gas and nothing serious. (A separate detailed video explains why gripe water should not be used.) Questions this video answers: What are the most common mistakes parents make with a newborn? How much vitamin D should a baby get daily and until what age? Morning or evening? What do I do if my vitamin D drop is 800 IU per ml? What should I apply on my baby's umbilical cord stump? When can I give a proper bath? Can I give honey, ghutti, sugar or water to a newborn? Why is honey unsafe under 1 year? Is kajal safe in a baby's eyes? What is kajal conjunctivitis and watery eye? Where can I apply kajal instead of the eyes? Can I use mustard oil or ghee for baby massage? Which oil is best? Should I hire a dai for baby massage? Is it safe to put oil in a baby's nose or ears? Is it safe to toss a baby in the air or shake them while playing? How often should I change my baby's diaper? Cotton or disposable? Can I give water to a baby under 6 months in summer? When can cow's milk be started? What is cow milk protein allergy? Is gripe water safe for baby gas? What should I use instead and in what dose? Relevant for: first-time parents, parents of newborns and babies under one year, and grandparents and relatives whose advice shapes newborn care at home. Disclaimer: All information and suggestions given in this video are general health information. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Any doses or drops mentioned should be used only after consulting your doctor. Please take your doctor's advice or consent before using any suggestion given here.