10 Ways to Avoid Harming Your Baby – A Guide for First-Time Parents
- Genesis Childcare 1989 - Tampines
- Nov 17, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 3
Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest joys — but it also comes with a fair share of challenges, especially for first-time mums and dads. Every parent wants the best for their baby, yet in our efforts to protect, comfort, and nurture, we may unknowingly make mistakes that could hinder our baby’s development.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, one of the most trusted names in Tampines infant care, we believe that early parenting education plays a crucial role in ensuring a child’s healthy growth. Our team of nurturing educators and caregivers work closely with parents to build strong foundations for lifelong learning and emotional well-being.
If you’re a new parent trying to do everything right, here are 10 common parenting mistakes to avoid — and what you can do instead to support your baby’s healthy development.
1. Avoid Putting Toys in Your Baby’s Bed
While it might seem comforting to surround your baby with soft toys, pillows, or blankets, this can actually be dangerous. Babies tend to move their heads and bodies while sleeping, and their faces might accidentally press against a toy or cushion, which can block their airways.
Experts at Genesis Childcare 1989, a leading Tampines infant care provider, advise keeping your baby’s sleeping area simple and safe — just a fitted sheet on a firm mattress and no loose items. A clutter-free crib reduces the risk of suffocation and helps your baby sleep better.
2. Never Shake Your Baby
Parents sometimes shake their baby in frustration or to stop excessive crying, not realizing how dangerous this can be. Shaking can cause serious brain injury, known as Shaken Baby Syndrome, which can lead to lifelong disabilities or even death.
If you ever feel overwhelmed, remember that it’s okay to take a break. Place your baby safely in the crib, step away for a few minutes, and breathe. Parenting can be overwhelming, but support is available — from family, friends, or caring educators at Genesis Childcare 1989 who understand the emotional demands of raising a little one.
3. Avoid Over-Cleaning or Over-Sterilizing Your Baby’s Environment
Of course, hygiene is important — but an overly sterile environment might do more harm than good. Babies need some exposure to harmless germs to help build a strong immune system. Without this, they might become more prone to allergies, asthma, or skin conditions.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we maintain a balance between cleanliness and healthy exposure. Our Tampines child care and Tampines nursery environments are kept meticulously clean but still allow children to explore nature and engage in sensory play, helping them build both physical immunity and curiosity about the world.
4. Don’t Force Your Baby to Finish Their Food
Feeding time should be pleasant, not stressful. Forcing your baby to eat even when they’re full teaches them to ignore their body’s hunger cues, which can lead to overeating and unhealthy eating habits later in life.
Instead, observe your baby’s signals. If they turn away or push the spoon, they’re probably full. At Genesis Childcare 1989, our caregivers in the Tampines preschool program encourage positive mealtime habits by allowing children to eat at their own pace, fostering independence and respect for their own bodies.
5. Stop Comparing Your Baby to Others
Every baby develops at their own pace. Some may start walking early, while others may take more time to talk. Constantly comparing your baby to others can cause unnecessary stress for both you and your child.
Children thrive in environments where they are appreciated for who they are. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we celebrate each child’s unique milestones. Whether your child is in our Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool, our teachers nurture confidence and curiosity without judgment or pressure.
6. Spend Quality Time Playing and Interacting
Your baby learns best through interaction — through your voice, your expressions, and your touch. Babies who receive consistent attention and playtime tend to develop stronger emotional bonds and better communication skills.
Don’t underestimate the power of simple activities like singing, reading, or peek-a-boo. At Genesis Childcare 1989, interactive play is at the heart of our daily routines in the Tampines nursery and Tampines child care programs. Through guided play, our educators help babies strengthen their social, cognitive, and emotional skills.
7. Avoid Using Phones or Tablets to Soothe Your Baby
In our digital age, it’s tempting to hand a phone or tablet to a crying baby. However, early screen exposure can delay speech development and reduce social interaction skills. Babies need real-world experiences — not screens — to learn and grow.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we advocate screen-free early learning. In our Tampines preschool, children engage in hands-on activities such as storytelling, art, and music — nurturing imagination, focus, and creativity without the need for digital distractions.
8. Praise Effort, Not Just Talent
It’s easy to gush over your baby’s natural abilities — “You’re so smart!” or “You’re so talented!” — but praising only talent can make children afraid of failure. Instead, focus on effort: “You worked hard!” or “You tried again even when it was tough!”
This helps your baby develop a growth mindset, encouraging resilience and persistence. At Genesis Childcare 1989, our Tampines preschool teachers use positive reinforcement to instill perseverance and confidence, celebrating progress rather than perfection.
9. Don’t Force Your Baby to Share Before They’re Ready
While sharing is a wonderful value, expecting a baby or toddler to share too early can be confusing. Babies don’t yet understand ownership or empathy — those concepts come with age and guidance.
Instead of forcing sharing, model generosity and explain emotions. For example, “Your friend is sad because he wants a turn with the toy. Let’s find something else you can play with.” This helps your child learn empathy naturally.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, sharing and cooperation are gently introduced through guided group play in our Tampines nursery program, allowing children to learn social skills in a positive and supportive setting.
10. Be Mindful of Negative Words and Actions
Babies are like sponges — they absorb everything around them, especially from their parents. Speaking or acting negatively in front of your baby can shape their attitude and behavior in the long run.
Try to maintain a positive tone even during challenging moments. Use encouraging words and model patience. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we strongly believe that children mirror what they see. That’s why our educators in Tampines child care classrooms consistently model kindness, empathy, and respect in every interaction.
Ways to Avoid Harming Your Baby: Building a Healthy Foundation for Your Baby’s Future
Parenting doesn’t come with a manual, but understanding the ways to avoid harming your baby — both physically and emotionally — helps you create a safe and nurturing environment where your little one can truly thrive. Simple mindful choices, like handling your baby gently, maintaining a clean and calm space, and responding with love and patience, can make a world of difference in their development.
Avoiding harsh words, overexposure to screens, or unsafe sleeping positions are just some of the ways to avoid harming your baby as they grow and learn. Remember, love, patience, and understanding go a long way toward building a healthy foundation for your child’s future.
If you’re looking for professional support in your parenting journey, Genesis Childcare 1989 offers a warm and enriching environment through its Tampines infant care, Tampines child care, Tampines preschool, and Tampines nursery programs. Each stage is thoughtfully designed to meet your child’s developmental needs — from infancy to preschool years.
Our dedicated teachers focus on holistic growth, blending structured learning with engaging play, music, and movement. We also work hand in hand with parents to ensure every child’s emotional, physical, and intellectual development is nurtured with care — helping you confidently practice the best ways to avoid harming your baby and support their happy, healthy growth.
Why Choose Genesis Childcare 1989 in Tampines?
Experienced caregivers who truly love children.
Safe, clean, and engaging environments that balance hygiene with healthy exploration.
Age-appropriate learning programs for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.
Strong parent partnerships — we grow together with families.
Parenting can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. With the right guidance and support from trusted educators at Genesis Childcare 1989, you can give your baby the best possible start in life.
Because every child deserves a nurturing beginning — and every parent deserves peace of mind.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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