Whether you are a first time parent or have welcomed an additional child into your family, parenting is a world filled with love, happiness and self doubt. Children, unfortunately, do not come with an instruction manual and it is quite normal to question your actions on a daily basis. Here are some handy hints to help make being a mother or father a little less confusing.

Need a break from parenting but can’t afford a babysitter? Give a play date a try. A well set up play date will give your child some extra socialization and stimulation. In addition, you’ll get to enjoy some adult time with the other parents who are present.

Learn this trick for the best way to release the baby from the breast. When he is done eating on one side, take your pinkie and bring it in between your breast and the baby’s gums. This will release the suction allowing you to take him off the breast. Whatever you do, don’t try to pull him off, it will hurt.

Join a breastfeeding support and parenting group prior to giving birth to help you be comfortable in your breastfeeding. Women who join a group prior to giving birth are usually much more comfortable with breastfeeding than those who didn’t. The ability to learn and ask questions prior to having a crying baby in front of you is a lifesaver.

Use your smart phone to soothe your baby with noise. You can download a white noise application and then place the phone near your child. This is particularly useful if you are going for a walk or if your child is riding in the car. You do not have to use white noise; there are a wide range of other calming sounds available.

A great parenting tip is to restrict how much time your child can watch television or play video games. Watching too much television or playing video games too much can promote laziness and can possibly lead to an attention disorder. It’s best to limit how much time they spend with these activities.

To sooth a colicky baby try some skin on skin contact. If you are breastfeeding you can place them against your stomach and offer them some food. You may find that talking to them in a soothing voice or singing a lullaby may stop the tears. You should always stay calm when dealing with an infant, if you find that you are becoming frustrated, take a break by handing your baby to a spouse or other trusted family member.

Take advantage of your child’s school’s computer records to keep up with your child’s daily progress. Most school systems today have computerized tracking of grades and assignments. Get the access code to that system and use it on a daily basis to make sure nothing slips up on you when report cards come out.

Teach your children good eating habits early on. Always offer at least one fruit or vegetable at every meal. Limit sweets as snacks, and encourage them to drink water, milk, or juice. The habits you teach them now will follow them throughout their life. They can help prevent obesity and other illnesses as well.

Buying toys at yard sales is a great way to save money on toys your kids will only use for a little while. While most toys are okay second-hand, stay away from buying second-hand cribs. Many of the old cribs have the drop-down style, which has been proved to cause injury and death to newborns. So while its alright to stock up on books and blocks, steer clear of the cribs.

Surround a child with good books. Reading is arguably among the most critical skills we can have. Your child should develop a desire to read well before they are cognitively ready to actually do so. Keeping a collection of colorful and interesting books within their reach is a critical part of developing that desire.

Overdressing can lead to a crabby baby! Babies get hot and uncomfortable wearing too much, just like we do. A good rule of thumb is to dress your baby the way you feel comfortable, whether for indoors or out. If it’s cool and you need a jacket, baby probably does too!

A common question new parents have is how to determine when their child is ready to be potty trained. First, in order to use the toilet, your child much have certain skills. For example, they need to be able to take off their clothes, they must have a certain amount of control over their bladder and bowel movements. Second, the child should be able to communicate in case there are any problems. If your child can do all things, the best way to start is to model the appropriate actions for the child and practice with them.

In the years to come you will look back on your early days of parenthood and laugh at the mistakes and fears. In the interim each day with your child is a blessing and a joy. Cherish them and know that you are not alone in the concerns that you face but will always find support so that you do not have to face them alone.

Simple Guide On How To Be A Good Parent was originally published on Spring