by Sr Teresa Hayward (RN, RM, Lactation consultant, Infant & Paediatric Nutritionist, Baby Sleep consultant)
When you have a baby, it seems like everyone knows what's best for you and your baby and you'll become the recipient of a alot of unsolicited advice. But much of yesterday's "wisdom" has proven untrue.
Infants need to bathed everyday
Babies don't get stinky from sweat the way adults do, so they only need a bath every two or three days (except following a major diaper explosion!). If it's part of your wind-down routine, a daily bath is perfectly OK, too—just moisturize afterwards.
Babies Sleep Best in a Room That's Silent and Dark
While some children really are light sleepers, most do fine with background noise and a little light. Plus, if your little one gets used to activity while they're sleeping, they might be more willing to snooze in a variety of situations.
Letting Your Little One Stand or Bounce In Your Lap Can Cause Bowlegs Later On
Your child won't become bowlegged standing or bouncing on you; that's just an old wives' tale. Moreover, young babies are learning how to bear weight on their legs and find their center of gravity, so letting your child stand or bounce is both fun and developmentally stimulating for them.
Listening to Classical Music Will Raise Your Baby's IQ
While music can enrich a little one's life, no conclusive research has found that having a baby listen to classical music in particular can result in significant brain-boosting benefits.
If You Pick Your Baby up Whenever They're Crying, You'll Spoil Them
Babies under 4 months of age have few self-soothing strategies; they know how to suck to soothe and like being swaddled, but that's about it. Picking babies up when they cry helps them learn that parents will always be there to take care of them.
Babies Should Be Woken up in the Night To Have a Wet Diaper Changed
Urine is sterile, and today's diapers are so highly absorbent that it's fine to leave a baby in a wet diaper overnight. However, if your baby has a poopy diaper and it appears to bother them, you should change it.
Never Apply Sunscreen to an Infant Under 6 Months of Age
While it is best to keep your little one away from dangerous UV rays, you can and should put sunscreen on your child if they'll be in the sun. Their risk of skin cancer is greater than their risk of having a reaction.
The Safest Way To Put an Infant to Sleep Is on Their Stomach
The safest sleep position for a baby is on its back. In the past, doctors worried that babies might choke on any spit-up if they weren't lying on their tummy or side, but studies ultimately linked these positions to higher rates of SIDS or cot death.
Putting Rice Cereal in Your Infant's Bottle Will Help Them Sleep
Hold off on introducing solids until 4 to 6 months. Research suggests that babies who are given solids before 4 months are actually worse sleepers than their formula-fed counterparts—and studies have revealed a link between the early introduction of solids and obesity later in life. It is always best to wait as close to 6months as possible. Cereal is also no longer seen as a starter food but rather the last food introduced at 8months
It's Critical To Keep Your Baby on a Strict Feeding Schedule
While having a schedule may make sense, it's usually better to feed on demand if baby is breastfed, especially in the first two months. After that, you may begin to notice a rhythm of feedings every two or three hours. Early on, it's important to always look for hunger cues and fullness cues. Formula fed babies are fed every 4hrs.
Infants Need Hard-soled Shoes To Protect Their Toes and Keep Their Feet Properly Aligned
Babies use their toes to grip the surfaces that they're walking on, so they should actually go shoeless indoors. To keep tiny tootsies safe outside, get a shoe with a good grip on the sole—hard-soled shoes can be too slippery. As much as possible avoid shoes on your baby under 1 or before they are walking
Babies Need to Poop at Least Once a Day
Parents often think a baby is constipated when they're not. Newborns often have several bowel movements a day, but they may poo as little as every three to four days at about 2 months to 3 months of age. If bowel movements are very hard and infrequent, or you see blood in the diaper, however, call your pediatrician, but no laxatives or Glycerine suppositories should be given to make a baby poo daily.
Touching Your Baby's Soft Spot Can Hurt Their Brain
The fontanel, or soft spot, at the front of your baby's head is a skin-covered opening in the skull that pulsates, frightening some parents. There's a presumption of vulnerability, but the brain is actually quite well protected. The front fontanel typically closes at about 1 year of age, while the smaller soft spot in the back of the head usually closes at 2 months to 3 months.
Being Cold Makes Babies Sick
While your little one may need some help regulating their internal temperature, cold weather will not make your child sick. Viruses and bacteria do that. Wind will also not cause ear infections
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