"The First Years of a Baby – How Do We Protect Them from Harmful Habits?"

Introduction: The Importance of Infancy

Infancy is the most delicate and formative stage of life. During this period, the foundations of the body, brain, and soul are established. The seeds of future health, intellectual, and emotional potential are sown within the first 1,000 days—from conception to two years of age. Therefore, parental behavior, the baby's developmental environment, and daily habits play a significant role. Sometimes, harmful habits are unknowingly formed, which can negatively impact the child's physical, mental, and emotional development in the future.

1. What Is a Harmful Habit and How Does It Develop?

A harmful habit is a repetitive behavior that negatively affects a baby's health, development, and behavior. The most concerning aspect is that these habits often originate from the parents themselves:

• "I hold him in my arms so he doesn't cry."

• "Even if he doesn't eat, he eats when I give him the phone, so I feel at ease."

• "When he cries, I immediately give him something sweet to calm him down."

Such approaches can eventually lead to emotional dependence, physical weakness, and adaptation problems.

2. 10 Harmful Habits Unknowingly Created by Parents

1. Frequent Carrying by Hand
   Holding is an expression of love, but immediately picking up the baby every time they cry creates dependency rather than a sense of care. They don't learn to soothe themselves.

2. Silencing with Phone, Tablet, and TV
   One of the most common habits. Distracting the baby with a phone during meals or when crying can seriously harm the baby's brain development, vision, and speech skills.

3. Mixing Day and Night
   Disruption of the baby's sleep rhythm harms the hormonal system, nervous system, and body development. The habit of sleeping more during the day and staying awake at night can lead to long-term sleep problems.

4. Early Introduction to Sugary or Salty Foods
   Foods like salt, sugar, honey, milk, and tea before the age of one can strain the immune and digestive systems and cause allergic reactions.

5. Inability to Tolerate the Baby's Crying
   Crying is the baby's form of communication. Reacting immediately to every cry deprives the baby of learning emotional regulation.

6. Spending Time Only with the Mother
   Social bonds begin very early. If the baby bonds only with the mother, they may have communication problems with the father, grandmother, grandfather, and others.

7. Growing Up in a Silent Environment
   A baby raised in complete silence may struggle to adapt to the real world. Life is full of sounds and movement; the baby should become familiar with this environment.

8. Excessive Fear of Cleanliness
   Of course, hygiene is important, but keeping everything sterile and dry weakens the child's immune system. The body needs to learn to resist.

9. Ignoring the Baby's Emotions
   Parents often focus on physical needs, but the baby's emotional needs, such as love, cuddling, and eye contact, are overlooked.

10. Doing Everything for the Baby
    Feeding the baby, picking up their belongings, changing their toys—doing everything for them suppresses autonomy and reduces their self-confidence.

3. The Role of the Environment: Sound, Light, Smell, Digital Influence

• Sound:
  Loud noises, sudden sounds, and constant TV background negatively affect the baby's nervous system. Babies respond better to gentle sounds and music.

• Light:
  Excessive light during sleep reduces melatonin hormone production. Soft lighting and a dark room before sleep are more beneficial.

• Smell:
  Artificial fragrances and perfumed soaps can irritate the baby's respiratory system. Plant-based and hypoallergenic products should be used around the baby.

• Digital Devices:
  One of the most dangerous factors. Screens are prohibited for children aged 0–2 years. The brain is not yet ready to be overloaded with visual stimuli.

4. Sleep and Feeding Schedule – How to Establish a Healthy Structure?

Sleep:

• 0–3 months: 14–17 hours per day

• 4–11 months: 12–15 hours per day

• 1–2 years: 11–14 hours per day

The main point is that nighttime sleep should be deep and continuous. Afternoon naps also help restore the nervous system.

Feeding:

• 0–6 months: exclusively breast milk

• 6–12 months: introduction to complementary foods (pureed, simple, single-component)

• After 1 year: transition to family meals

Familiarity with their own food and holding it with their hands is very important for the child's sensory development.

5. Emotional Development and the Danger of Neglect

The baby's most important need is an emotional bond. Making eye contact, frequently calling their name, singing, and speaking loving words help form their emotional immune system.

Neglect, cold behavior, and loneliness can cause emotional trauma in the baby. This trauma can later result in:

• Anxiety disorders

• Behavioral problems

• Social phobias

• Lack of self-confidence

6. What to Do to Protect Physical Development?

• Do not seat the baby prematurely

• Do not put on low-quality shoes

• Do not keep the baby constantly in a diaper

• Avoid using "walker" devices for walking

• Regularly provide opportunities for the baby to move freely

Physical freedom is essential for the development of muscles, coordination, and brain connections.

7. Recommendations from Psychologists and Pediatricians

• Dr. Sears: "Establish frequent physical contact with the baby. Holding the baby calms their brain."

• Dr. Harvey Karp: "Sweet lullabies and body rhythms help regulate the baby's sleep."

• AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics): "Screens should be completely prohibited until 18 months of age."

• UNICEF: "The first 1,000 days of a baby's life are the most critical period—nutrition, love, and safety are essential."

8. Conclusion – The Path to Raising a Healthy Baby

Raising a healthy baby is not just about visiting the doctor or giving medicine. It is achieved through daily habits, the parent's relationship with themselves, environmental cleanliness, emotional stability, and education.

Every baby is unique and different. The parent is their first teacher, first friend, and first source of trust. To maintain this trust, the parent must also learn, change, and always be attentive.

What Do You Think?

Question:

• In your opinion, what is the most common harmful habit during infancy?

• What challenges have you faced while raising your baby?

• What has been the most helpful parenting advice for you?

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