Stop Trying to Make “Low-Maintenance” Babies

Why You Don’t Need a “Low-Maintenance Baby,” You Need More Postpartum Support

Many new parents secretly wonder: Why isn’t my baby easy? Why can’t they just eat, sleep, and be content like other babies? Our culture praises the idea of a “low-maintenance baby” — one who naps on schedule, doesn’t fuss much, and rarely “needs too much.” But here’s the truth:

Some babies simply have higher needs, and that’s completely normal. 🤯

Instead of trying to “fix” or train a baby to be more independent, let’s shift the conversation. Babies come with their own unique temperaments. Some are more sensitive, alert, or require more physical closeness and soothing. These high-needs babies aren’t broken; they’re biologically normal.

But instead of honoring that, we’re often told to ignore their cues.
Let them cry it out. Stretch feedings. Get them used to being alone.
It’s all in the name of creating “easy” babies, but at what cost?

What if the Problem Isn’t the Baby — It’s the Lack of Support?

Instead of changing our babies, what if we changed the system?

Let’s normalize getting more postpartum support instead of pushing unrealistic expectations on new parents and newborns.We weren’t meant to parent in isolation. Your baby isn’t too much — you’re likely doing too much alone.

Responsive parenting (meeting your baby’s cues and needs) builds secure attachment and healthy development. But to parent responsively, you need support: physically, emotionally, and practically.

Whether that means leaning on your village, hiring a postpartum doula, asking for meals, or simply resting more and doing less, you deserve that help. And your baby does too.

If your baby is high-needs, fussy, or just different from what you expected — there’s nothing wrong.
What’s wrong is how little support new families receive.