Before stepping into parenthood, people often hear the familiar warnings: sleepless nights, endless responsibilities, and constant busyness. What few mention is another reality, it is the risk of injury.

Many parents have stories of physical strain, from tweaking a back while lifting a toddler to rushing across the room at night and tripping, or developing wrist pain from scrubbing bottles and pump parts. These injuries can start small but often persist for years, especially when parents overlook their own recovery while prioritizing their children’s needs.

Why New Parents Are Vulnerable

New mothers are particularly at risk due to the physical toll of pregnancy and the extra caregiving responsibilities, including breastfeeding. Coupled with lack of rest, these factors create the perfect storm for long-term issues. Experts stress that parents should seek early treatment for injuries and, ideally, prepare their bodies for parenthood with core-strengthening exercises before the baby arrives. Some compare parenting to a sport, one that demands training.

The lack of public awareness may be partly due to the absence of data. While medical billing codes exist for unusual injuries such as being struck by an animal, there is no formal category for being injured while caring for a child. As a result, the scale of the issue is difficult to measure.

From Workout to Wear and Tear

On paper, parenting could be considered a gradual fitness programme. A newborn’s weight increases steadily over the years, and play evolves from pushing a stroller to chasing a running child. But in reality, children often treat their parents as climbing frames, yanking arms or jumping on backs, leading to muscle strains and joint issues.

Physical therapists note that back, neck, shoulder, and wrist injuries are among the most common for parents. The rise in average age for first-time parents also plays a role. Older parents may face more aches and slower recovery times, similar to how an older athlete’s body responds differently to strain.

Conditions like diastasis recti, where abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy, can lead to lasting issues, including back pain, difficulty lifting, and even incontinence. Without targeted recovery, such conditions can limit a parent’s ability to care for both their child and themselves.

Changing Lifestyles, Increased Risk

Today’s parents spend significantly more time with their children compared with previous generations, reports The Washington Post. This, combined with demanding jobs, reduced community support, and a tendency to multitask while exhausted, increases the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Stories from parents range from predictable strains to bizarre mishaps. One parent recalled dislocating a toe during a playful indoor game, which led to surgery, complications, and months of recovery. These accidents highlight how even harmless activities can result in long-term physical challenges.

Prevention and Recovery Tips

While injuries may be part of the parenting journey, there are ways to minimize the risk:

Strengthen your core: Engage in exercises like yoga, Pilates, swimming, or weight training to support the back, shoulders, and neck.

Maintain proper form: Learn safe lifting techniques for picking up children, car seats, and other heavy items.

Avoid unnecessary bending: Sit when strapping a child into a stroller instead of bending from the waist.

Travel light: Carry only essentials to reduce strain.

Slow down: Rushing often leads to missteps. Make multiple trips if needed.

Clear walkways: Removing toys and clutter reduces the chance of tripping, especially during night-time emergencies.

Adapt workouts: Short, frequent exercise sessions can replace long gym visits.

Stay active: Regular movement now will make it easier to keep up with children later.

Seek help early: Ignoring pain often worsens the injury, making recovery longer and more difficult.

There’s a reason your inner critic sounds suspiciously like your mum or dad. A new study, published in BMJ Open, has found that parents who ridicule, threaten, or humiliate their kids may be doing long-term damage not just bruising their egos but their entire mental wellbeing. According to the research, such harsh parenting increases the odds of poor adult mental health by a staggering 64 per cent. That throwaway “You’ll never amount to anything!” may echo louder in someone’s head than an actual slap.

Sticks, Stones… and Sharp Words

The participants were asked to assess their mental wellbeing over a two-week period. Scores placed them in either the high or low mental wellbeing category.

The results were eye-opening. “Our study reveals that degrading, humiliating and abusive language directed at children can have long-term mental health impacts at least as severe as those associated with physical abuse,” said Prof Bellis.

A Slap vs a Sharp Tongue

The numbers speak for themselves. What’s even more troubling is that while physical abuse among participants fell over time, verbal abuse has been on the rise. Those born before 1950 reported a 12 per cent prevalence of verbal abuse. That number jumped to 20 per cent among those born in or after 2000.

“Equally concerning is the trend observed over the study period where physical abuse declined but verbal abuse increased … potentially offsetting the mental health gains we might expect from reduced exposure to physical harm,” Bellis said.

In other words, just because fewer kids are getting slapped doesn’t mean they’re better off. Words, especially when used as weapons, can leave wounds that take far longer to heal.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

The study also found a general dip in mental wellbeing among younger generations. Those born in or after 2000 reported higher rates of poor mental health overall. So even with greater awareness about mental health, something’s going very wrong.

The researchers didn’t dig into the exact reasons for these changing abuse trends or the individual severity of abuse cases, but they made one thing clear: “Although this study does not examine the reasons for these trends, it is vital that we do not simply replace one form of childhood trauma with another,” said Bellis.

What Parents Need Besides Just ‘Don’t Do That’

Telling parents not to hit or yell at their kids isn’t enough. According to the study authors, what’s needed is practical, accessible guidance on how to build nurturing relationships. Because no parent wakes up thinking, “How can I mess my kid up today?” But when there is stress, generational trauma, or lack of support, well-meaning discipline can veer into damaging territory.

“That’s why we must go beyond telling parents what not to do and instead offer clear, practical support and guidance that allows them to raise their children through healthy, nurturing relationships,” Bellis said.

Mental health doesn’t just show up one day in adulthood. It’s shaped, layered, and often haunted by childhood experiences, especially the unkind words and undermining comments that seem small at the time but settle deep into the psyche. So if you're still dealing with anxiety or low self-worth in your thirties, it might not be ‘just you’. It could be the voice of harsh parenting, still living rent-free in your head.

For new parents, a baby’s cry can feel like an unsolvable riddle. Is it hunger, fatigue, discomfort, or something more complex?

While the sound of a crying baby can stir panic and helplessness, researchers say that it’s actually the first language a newborn uses to communicate. Learning to interpret these cries can build trust, reduce frustration, and strengthen the parent-child bond.

The Language of Cries

According to research by Priscilla Dunstan, babies across the world, regardless of culture or language, produce nine distinct sounds in their cries, each indicating a specific need. These are not random wails but physiological reflexes.

For example, when a baby is hungry, the tongue touches the roof of the mouth, creating a “Nèh” sound. Identifying these subtle cues early can prevent discomfort from escalating into distress.

The Nine Cries and What They Mean

Nèh – “I’m hungry”

This sound mimics a sucking motion. It’s usually the first cry parents hear, especially in the early weeks when feeding is frequent.

Èh – “I need to burp”

A short, jerky sound created when air is trapped. If you hear this after feeding, hold the baby upright and pat gently on the back.

Aoh – “I’m sleepy”

This cry often comes with yawns and a wide-open mouth. It signals that your baby needs rest soon.

Éérh – “I have a stomach ache”

Hoarse, prolonged, and strained, this cry is linked to gas or colic. Gentle massage or movement may help soothe your baby.

Héh – “I’m uncomfortable”

A soft 'h' sound may point to issues like a dirty diaper, awkward position, or rash. A quick check can resolve it.

Guèn – “I’m teething”

Often accompanied by drooling and gum rubbing, this sound means your baby may need a teething ring or gentle gum massage.

Lelaol – “I need company”

A softer, almost meowing sound—your baby simply wants interaction. Responding to this helps foster emotional security.

Nah – “I’m thirsty”

A gentler version of the hunger cry, often heard in warmer weather or when breastfeeding intervals increase.

Ouin – “Everything feels wrong”

A full-body cry when a baby is overwhelmed. Cuddling, rocking, or just holding them can bring comfort.

Beyond Sounds: Emotions And Connection

While deciphering these cues helps meet basic needs, it also supports a baby’s emotional growth. Babies experience emotions intensely, and crying is their only outlet. Your calm presence helps regulate their emotional storms, almost like serving as their temporary “prefrontal cortex”, the part of the brain responsible for emotional regulation, which develops later.

Should You Always Respond?

Some parents wonder if responding to every cry will spoil the baby. Experts say that in the early months, every cry deserves attention. It isn’t about temperament, it’s communication. As the baby matures, short self-soothing intervals can be introduced. Still, your consistent presence helps develop secure attachment and emotional resilience.

As World Breastfeeding Week brings attention to the nourishment of newborns, the conversation around feeding methods continues to stir debates, and often, guilt. At the heart of it lies a mother’s intent to ensure her baby thrives, yet she is often met with societal pressure to follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Is direct breastfeeding truly superior to pumping? Does choosing formula equate to failure? What about maternal well-being?

To break down these questions, we spoke to Dr. Shailly Sharma, Senior Consultant Gynaecologist at Cloudnine Hospital, Faridabad, and Dr. Anjali Saxena, Senior Dietitian at PSRI Hospital, Delhi.

Breast is Best—but So is Fed

The idea that only direct breastfeeding qualifies as "best" is a common misconception. Dr. Shailly Sharma clears the air.

“The most crucial factor is that the baby receives breast milk. Whether it’s delivered directly at the breast or via a bottle (expressed milk), the nutritional and immune benefits remain largely the same,” she says.

While direct breastfeeding supports jaw development, digestion, and skin-to-skin bonding, Dr. Sharma emphasizes that pumping is an effective alternative, especially for mothers dealing with work demands, fatigue, or medical issues.

Dr. Anjana Saxena adds that, nutritionally speaking, there's only a modest difference, “Freshly expressed milk retains most of its nutrients and immune-protective components. Long storage, especially freezing, may reduce some immune factors like antibodies, but the core nutrients remain intact.”

So whether you breastfeed, pump, or both, the key is ensuring your baby is fed and healthy.

The Invisible Load: Guilt, Shame, and Emotional Toll

New mothers often find themselves navigating an emotional minefield, where breastfeeding is equated with being a ‘good mother’. The guilt of not producing enough milk or having to return to work can take a toll on their physical and mental health.

“Emotional stress, especially self-blame, can significantly affect a mother’s recovery,” explains Dr. Sharma. “It increases cortisol levels, delays healing, disrupts sleep, and may reduce milk supply further. Worse, it can impact bonding with the baby and even trigger postpartum depression.”

She advocates for “compassionate, non-judgmental support” from healthcare providers and society alike.

Dr. Saxena echoes this, “Parenting is not about perfection. When breastfeeding causes stress or health complications, choosing formula can be the healthier option, for both mother and baby.”

Can Formula Ever Compare?

While breast milk contains unique components, live antibodies, enzymes, and human milk oligosaccharides, formula has come a long way in mimicking its nutritional profile.

“Modern infant formulas are designed to closely match breast milk and meet the basic nutritional needs of infants,” says Dr. Saxena. “While they don’t contain certain bioactive compounds, they are a safe and effective alternative.”

She lists bioactives like immunoglobulin A (IgA), lactoferrin, lysozyme, and HMOs, powerful agents in human milk that boost immunity and gut health.

“Formulas today may include prebiotics and DHA, but they still fall short of replicating the dynamic nature of breast milk,” she says, adding, “This doesn’t make formula harmful, it simply means breast milk offers some extra protection.”

Still, when breastfeeding isn’t feasible, formula isn’t a compromise, it’s a responsible, sometimes life-saving, choice.

The Power of Skin-to-Skin Contact

Another overlooked element is the emotional and physiological benefit of skin-to-skin feeding, often linked with direct breastfeeding but equally valuable during bottle-feeding or pumping routines.

“Kangaroo care stabilizes the baby’s temperature and heart rate, reduces stress hormones in both mother and child, and encourages better milk let-down,” explains Dr. Sharma. “Even with expressed milk, incorporating skin-to-skin time is immensely beneficial.”

This helps nurture the parent-child bond, which contributes to overall emotional well-being, regardless of the feeding method.

When Breastfeeding Isn't an Option

Sometimes, no amount of support can overcome low milk supply. And that’s okay, say the experts.

“When a mother cannot produce sufficient milk, supplementing with formula or transitioning entirely is medically acceptable,” says Dr. Sharma. “The priority must always be nourishment and maternal well-being.”

Healthcare professionals play a vital role here. Instead of framing formula as a fallback, they should equip mothers with information on all feeding options, whether that’s formula, donor milk, or continued pumping, free from judgment.

“Mothers need clear guidance, emotional support, and respect for their choices,” she adds.

Ultimately, the debate should never overshadow the reality that every family is different. Feeding journeys can be empowering, exhausting, or even painful. But they are valid, regardless of the route taken.

Dr. Saxena puts it best, “Emotional well-being, mental health, and bonding are just as vital as physical nutrition. Mothers deserve support and compassion, not judgment.”