Almost every mom and dad feels insecure about their parenting chops at one point or another. Try to trust your instincts, but also remember that much of your skill (and confidence) comes from experience and education. Everybody makes mistakes sometimes – it's how we learn. Ask questions or look things up when you're unsure about what to do. With time, you'll feel more confident about your ability to recognize your baby's needs and how to meet them. The angst may never go away completely, but that, too, is part of parenthood.

One great way to get support and relieve stress about being a good parent is to join a moms' group (or dads' group). There you're likely to find others with similar doubts and concerns. Just hearing and seeing how others fret and fumble can give you a helpful perspective. And if it seems like they're all perfect, that's only because you're letting your own insecurities color what you see. Stick around to get to know them better, open up a bottle of wine or make a pot of tea, and you'll eventually discover that every parent has vulnerabilities.

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