All parents make mistakes -- especially new parents. But if you know the top 7 most common parenting mistakes, maybe you can keep from making them yourself. So here they are, along with tips to help you avoid making them.

Panicking Over Anything and Everything

Many new parents have overblown physical reactions to spitting up, vomiting, and other things a baby does, and the baby picks up on that anxiety. This worry gets in the way of being spontaneous and enjoying your infant's first year of life. Babies are far more resilient than we give them credit for.

Not Letting Your Infant Cry It Out

Babies are designed to cry. They can be perfectly diapered and fed and still cry like you are pulling an arm off. For the most part, crying is just part of being a baby. But if your infant is inconsolable for an hour and crying is associated with fever, rash, or persistent vomiting, call your pediatrician as soon as possible.

Confusing Spit-Up and Vomit

The difference (between spit-up and vomit) is frequency, not forcefulness. Spit-up can absolutely fly across the room. Vomiting, however, is all about frequency that may come every 30 or 45 minutes regardless of feeding.

Ignoring a Fever in a Newborn

Any fever over 38 rectally in the first three months of a baby's life is an emergency. The one exception is a fever that develops within 24 hours after an infant's first set of immunizations. Some parents may just give the baby Tylenol. But that's a parenting mistake in this age group. Baby’s doctor should be contacted.

Neglecting Oral Care

Many new parents don't think about their newborns teeth or oral health until it is too late. Tips to help new parents know how to do that:

• Don't give your infant milk in bed once teeth have erupted.
• Use a wet gauze to wipe down your baby's gums. And start using a toothbrush when the baby turns 1.
• Make sure your child is getting enough fluoride. Fluoride is found naturally in water and aids in cavity prevention.

Fighting in Front of Your Baby

Even a 3-month-old will pick up vibes. However, snapping every now and then is a normal part of living with another person. And when people start to suppress too much, it's just as bad as going to the other extreme.

Trusting Unreliable Sources for Parenting Advice

Many new parents go to the wrong places for parenting advice. WebMD, the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the American Academy of Pediatrics are reputable and useful when making decisions about general medical care and immunizations.

Source: Medicine.net