5 Common Mistakes New Parents Make

A mass of baby-related information inundates new and expecting parents. It comes, solicited or not, from well-meaning friends and family, books, websites, healthcare professionals, and media. But no matter how much you absorb as you set out on your parenting journey, keep in mind that all parents take wrong turns here and there. And while most of those so-called mistakes are harmless, there are a few common areas you'll want to pay particular attention to.

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From Womb to World

For nine months your baby was nurtured in the ideal sensory world of the womb. From this calm environment your baby emerged into our busy sensory world. At birth, human babies are less mature than almost any other mammal. Their little brain is not capable of any conscious decision or voluntary movement but is an advanced sensory organ. In other words the brain takes in information from the senses and over time learns to process and make sense of the new sensory input.

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Cloth Diaper Road Test

Cloth diapers aren’t really my thing

And they aren’t my fellow www.BreezyMama.com co-founder Chelsea’s either. In fact, when she told me she was going to do a story on cloth diapers, I thought she was just trying to make me laugh. But no, she insisted. A year passed and I never did see that story. She came to her senses, realized she wasn’t a “cloth diaper person,” and asked me to do it. I laughed. A few weeks would go by and she’d ask me to do it again; I would laugh.

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Baby Food 911

As the co-founder of Sprout Organic Baby Food—among many other ventures celebrity chef Tyler Florence has a mission for new moms: Tackle the nation’s food crisis in your own kitchen by starting your little one on fresh, healthy purées. Baby will eat well for life. Interview by Abigail Tuller.

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Baby's Coming - Get Ready

Our short list of what’s crucial to have in place before your infant comes home – and why

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Baby Talk

Your little one can’t speak yet – but he does have something to tell you

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What Color is your Nursery?

If you’re planning nursery décor, your color choice may be more than just a preference. Inspired by a few celebs’ favorite hues, expert color theorist Dewey Sadka and Serena Dugan, co-founder of premier linens and décor company Serena & Lily, combined color personality theory with decorating advice to help you create your ideal baby retreat. Plus: nursery feng shui and a baby registry for the real world. By Bonnie Siegler.

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Basic Baby Care

A simple guide for complicated parents. By Nicole Caccavo Kear.

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Real-World Babyproofing

Baby proof your house with these tips and products that will help you safeguard your baby. By Leslie Ayers.

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Had Enough Baby Advice?

How I found the bright side of all the parental boundary-crossing—but please don’t tell my wife’s grandma. By Ryan Marshall.

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