Can You Actually Spoil A Baby?

Usually, we say that you should not spoil a child. But what about babies? Can you spoil a baby too? Most experts feel that it is not possible to spoil a newborn because until 6 months, the baby does not register the parent's behaviour in any pattern. But from 6 to 8 months, babies start reading the parent's body language and facial expression.

So this is the time when you can spoil a baby if you are not careful. Most parents don't want to spoil their child but they are at loss to understand how they are spoiling their baby.

How do you spoil a baby?
Whenever the baby is crying, it does not mean that he or she is hungry or sleepy. Sometimes, babies cry even when they are bored or just want to be held. If you rush to the baby every time it whines a little, you are giving out the message that it's ok for the baby to be demanding. So the baby starts demanding more and more of your attention.

Sometimes, the baby also cries when he/she is struggling with a toy or unable to move out of the space he/she is there in. If you help the baby immediately, then you are not allowing the baby to explore or learn anything new. This makes the child dependent on you. In future, if the baby wants anything, he/she will just cry for your help.

Putting the baby to sleep by rocking him/her is also a type of spoiling. Ideally, the baby should be able to fall asleep on his/her own at bedtime. But most parents put the baby to sleep and make the little one dependent on them for its most basic needs.

How to avoid spoiling the baby?
Do not rush to the baby every time he/she begins to cry. You have to let the baby cry sometimes so that he or she does not become too demanding. But for what reason you let the baby cry depends on you.

Allow the baby to sleep on his/her own instead of rocking to sleep. Your child will play or throw a fit sometimes but in the end he/she will learn to sleep on his/her own.

Don't be a hyper sensitive parent. Don't run after the baby or look too anxious every time your baby tries to explore something new. Your reaction will make the baby think that it is very easy to get your attention.