Suppose Judge Judy is watching. Be mindful of your baby care behavior. Would Judge Judy say you are in trouble if she saw you doing THAT with your baby? Or while your baby was in the car? Child endangerment is a reality. Did you know you can actually damage the baby’s lungs and brain with second hand smoke? It can. TAKE CARE of your BABY.

First since you are the providers of baby care, you must be aware of safety issues. No more excuses about acting out of line or getting in trouble with the law or driving without your seatbelt. You must at all times remember you brought this child into the world so YOU have a responsibility to care for him or her properly. Like it or not, it is time to grow up. BOTH of you. REPROGRAM your brain. You must now think of yourself as a Mommy or a Daddy.

Next. Never neglect your infant or abandon her. Your baby’s future depends on how you treat him now. The way you treat that baby now is what the baby learns. You are the one who teaches the infant if it is loved or not. It makes a difference. Clean up your mouth. Clean up your language around the baby. Trust me you will have fewer troubles in school later on if you show good behavior around your infant while she is growing up now.

Third, your baby will be healthier if you give a lot of love and cuddling during those early months, yes that means you too daddy. Even if your father did not ever hug you forgive and forget. Move on and hug your baby. They need to have a bumper sticker Real Men Hold the Baby. You have the power now to make a difference in the future for this child. Show your baby care with both your voice and touch. BE GENTLE.

Fourth, and most people would say these are number one. YOU must not be living out on the streets now. Be the provider and be sure to give baby food, water, shelter and safety and good hygiene. These are the baby care essentials, the absolute basics. If you need help, ask for it, find it.

Fifth, Did I say BE GENTLE yet? You must NEVER NEVER shake your baby! That is another safety issue. You can essentially be beat up your baby’s brain when you do that and serious and permanent damage can happen. Both baby care and baby safety need your soft touch.

Sixth, Baby care requires attention. Keep your baby in a safe place. Is that car seat properly installed? Is the baby IN IT? And Secure? Is the baby’s crib or carrier safe? NEVER leave your baby unattended on the table. All it takes is a wiggle or two and your baby can fall to the floor in an instant. I mean don’t even leave the infant on the counter to go across the room to pick up that baby powder.

Hey. Nobody is perfect. Humans have had babies for centuries. You can learn how to do this. YOU are the parent. So act like a parent. Pay Attention to everything your baby does. Keep your baby healthy by keeping him or her clean and dry. Do not just let the baby “cry it out”. Change the diaper. Your baby care skills will grow if you give them a chance to. And so will your baby.