There are a lot of myths about caring for babies because they were passed down from generation to generation before we had research to prove them wrong. This misconception, or “baby care myths,” ranges from what to do if your baby has a fever to how to introduce solids, and many of them can also be hazardous to your baby’s health.
Pregnancy and parenting are surely the hot topics on which everyone has something or other to dole out advice. Here are some common baby care myths debunked, along with actual explanations. This is an attempt to segregate the wheat from the chaff.
Top 15 Baby Care Myths
Every parent wants to provide the finest possible care for their child. When it comes to taking care of your newborn, you listen to every recommendation made by your family elders, or friends. As a consequence, you begin to believe the myths presented by elders, believing that they are beneficial to your infant. But you have to know the truth behind all of our long-held beliefs and traditions.
Find out the top 15 baby care myths
Myth No: 1- A Kaala Tikka or Wearing Something Black Wards Off Evil Eye
Fact: Does this sound true? Well, if it is evil, surely God would be there too. And if God is present, He will keep your baby safe from all harm. This myth holds no relevance and is discarded by many progressive families.
Myth No: 2- Oil Massages Are “Old”
Fact: Massages help enhance blood circulation and nourish the baby’s skin. According to doctors, a warm water bath after a massage can also help the baby sleep soundly.
Myth No: 3- Nursing A Baby Soon After Birth Helps In Bonding
Fact: Though advised, women who have a C-section or babies who go straight to the nursery need not take this too hard. A baby-mother relationship will eventually develop and a few hours or days of separation is not going to hamper it.
Myth No: 4-Bottle-Feeding Is Good For Infants
Fact: Breast milk is ideal for your baby, as it has highly nutritious natural ingredients that increase your baby’s immunity. The baby’s immune mechanism is also strengthened by breastfeeding. Packaged milk is not healthy for your baby. If needed, consult your pediatrician before giving a bottle to your baby.
Myth No: 5- An Absolutely Bland Diet For Breastfeeding Mothers
Fact: Apart from highly allergic foods, like nuts, soy, dairy, etc, new mothers can eat just about everything as the baby gets to taste and develop the same through the feeds.
Myth No: 6-Babies Must Have Ripe Bananas As First Solids
Fact: Instead of bananas, give a cereal made of ground rice, which is high in iron and easy to digest. After a few months, you can give mashed bananas too.
Myth No: 7-Never Bathe A Child When He’s Feeling Feverish Or Is Ill
Fact: You can bathe your baby even when he or she has a mild fever, cold, or cough. However, you should keep the baby covered to protect them from catching a cold. Drape the baby immediately after bathing. Also, babies do not necessarily need to be bathed every day, a day or two can be skipped.
Give a sponge bath if the baby is having a high-grade fever. A cool dab in the summer and a warm bath during the winter are recommended for your tiny toddler.
Myth No: 8-Ayurvedic Concoctions Should Be Given To The Baby
Fact: The main concern is whether Ayurvedic products like Janam photos, etc. are prepared under proper hygienic conditions. Avoid giving gripe water or janam ghuttis in the first year of birth as your baby’s stomach is tender to digest these things. You can however give these in the second year.
Myth No: 9-Nipple Confusion Can Occur By Simultaneously Bottle Feeding And Breastfeeding
Fact: Nipple confusion is seen when the baby first bottle feeds and then breastfeeds. This is seen when either mother dies at the time of birth or if she is severely ill. During breastfeeding, the baby has to make more effort as compared to bottle feeding. So, if the baby has a choice he would prefer having bottle feeds.
Myth No: 10-Natural Ingredients Are Better For Your Baby’s Skin And Should Be Preferred Over Soaps And Shampoos
Fact: Well, natural products like bison or hemp are not as mild as they are claimed to be. They can cause skin allergies or rashes in children. Use hypoallergic baby care products as they are safe for your baby’s delicate skin.
Myth No: 11-Sneezing In A Newborn Baby Means He or She Has a Cold
Fact: This is not true because babies usually clean their noses by sneezing. Sneezing therefore does not imply cold.
Myth No: 12-When My Baby Has Hiccups, She Needs Water
Fact: In the first few months, do not give anything except water. Simply breastfeed, as your milk has sufficient water and nothing extra is required.
Myth No: 13- Adding Rice Cereal To a Bedtime Bottle Can Make Baby Sleep Longer
Fact: Some mothers often add rice cereal to the bedtime bottle as they feel that this will make the baby sleep soundly. Solids should not be introduced to babies until they are about 4 months old; science has linked early solids introduction to obesity.
Myth No: 14- Picking Up A Crying Baby Is Spoiling Her
Fact: Under 4 months of age, babies tend to adopt their own soothing strategies. Picking them up and hugging them when they cry, make them believe that their parents are always there to take care of them.
Myth No: 15- A Newborn Should Be Kept Indoors
Fact: Well, unless there is a condition of extreme weather, fresh air is actually good for your baby.
Because there is so much information available about how to be a good parent and how to care for a newborn, it can be difficult to know what exactly to do. We hope this article debunks a few of the more widespread myths that you might have heard or read about infants and newborns.
