"Careful not to hold baby too much.. you don't want to spoil them!" You all must have heard this one. Being told by others that holding your newborn baby too much, responding to their cries or letting them sleep on you will "create bad habits" or "make a rod for your own back".

If someone tells you this please explain that this is in fact is not good! Babies need lots of attention! They cannot consciously connect the act of crying with getting what they want. They don't even know they have hands never mind become master manipulators of adults mere weeks after birth. Remember your baby can't tell you what it wants. If they are crying they may:

- Be hungry
- Have wind
- Be too hot/cold
- Need a nappy change
- Just want to be near you

If you calmly and consistently respond to your baby's needs when they cry your baby quickly learns to trust that you'll fulfil their needs. This is essential in helping your baby become a secure and confident child! So next time someone gives you the "you'll spoil them chat" just let them know meeting your babies needs is the exact opposite of that!