9 mistakes parents make that endanger children.

Every parent wants to do what's best for their child; however, some of their childcare practices can actually endanger the child's health.

1. Soothe the baby by rocking.

According to The Health Site, many parents often shake their babies, sometimes very vigorously, when trying to soothe them to sleep or stop them from crying. However, numerous scientific studies have warned against shaking infants under 2 years old, especially newborns.

At this stage, the baby's neck is weak, the brain is not yet fully developed and is still soft, so excessive shaking can lead to brain injury due to ruptured blood vessels, not to mention other complications such as intestinal obstruction.

2. Let the baby sleep while breastfeeding.

Putting a baby to sleep with a bottle can erode the enamel of their still-weak teeth. This is why cavities are common in many young children. Additionally, many mothers often breastfeed their babies to soothe them to sleep, which is also not good for them.

3. Introducing solid foods too early.

The WHO recommends that mothers breastfeed exclusively for the first six months of life because the baby's immune and digestive systems are not yet fully developed to tolerate foods other than breast milk. You can supplement with formula, but it should be limited as it can cause intestinal infections or digestive problems.

4. Giving children water too early.

Nutrition experts warn against giving water to babies under 6 months old. Breast milk or formula provides sufficient water for babies at this age. Giving them extra water can lead to water excess, diluting sodium levels in the body, causing electrolyte imbalance, and resulting in swelling and water intoxication.

Giving water to infants under 6 months old can dilute sodium levels in the body, disrupt electrolyte balance, and cause water intoxication. (Image: Thehealthsite)

5. Dilute the formula milk.

Many mothers often dilute formula milk thinking that it will make it easier for their babies to absorb and digest. However, the reality is that the formula milk is prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, providing all the necessary nutrients for the baby. Diluting the milk will cause the loss of those nutrients, which is not good for the baby.

6. Lay the baby on its stomach.

Never place a child on their stomach, especially a newborn. This can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) due to airway obstruction.

7. Let the baby sleep on a pillow.

Many mothers like to put their babies on pillows because they are afraid their babies will get headaches. However, using pillows can be dangerous for babies because infants are not yet aware of their actions; they may lie face down on the pillow, increasing the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome.

In addition, a newborn's skull is still soft, and the joints haven't closed yet; lying on a pillow can compress and deform the skull.

8. Letting the baby cry for too long.

Crying can be a form of communication, an expression of need, anger, or a psychological need that children want their parents to understand. If you don't comfort and soothe your child, it can cause significant emotional trauma.

9. Forcing your baby to walk early.

Many parents try to get their children to walk too early, but this can cause damage to the hip bones. Additionally, leading a child to walk can dislocate their joints.

According to zing.vn