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Whether you are an experienced or new parent, those around you will advise you on the do’s and don’ts when raising your baby. Dr. Google will also offer you endless information on what is right or wrong with your baby.
Some information about babies will be accurate and helpful. Other tips about babies will be flat wrong and may leave you feeling like you are failing as a parent.
So how do you differentiate baby facts from fiction? The first step is to understand the baby myths that you should dispel immediately when you come across them.
Keep reading as we debunk the most common baby myths to empower you to confidently begin or continue your motherhood journey.
A Baby Walker Helps Infants Walk Sooner
As a parent, you are eager to see your baby take the first steps. A baby walker will be the first thing that comes to mind if you want your baby to hit this milestone within their first year.
However, baby walkers don’t help infants walk earlier or faster. If you place your infant in a baby walker, it may take longer to walk. Rather than letting babies learn to walk independently, walkers only encourage the baby to keep hanging onto them.
Research on baby walkers shows that putting your baby in a walker is dangerous. It is easy for your baby to have accidents, like falling downstairs when using a walker. Walkers can also help your baby reach unsafe things such as hot stoves.
There Is a Direct Relationship Between Teething and Fever
Friends, family, and strangers will most likely tell you that your baby has a fever because they are teething. This is only a myth, and a dangerous one at that. Believing this hearsay may make you overlook an underlying health issue with your baby.
Teething is unlikely to raise your baby’s temperature. When babies are teething, they may be fussier or have a poor appetite. Teething, on the other hand, should not result in a fever, a severe cough, vomiting, or a runny nose.
If your baby has a fever, there is likely more to it than teething. For example, your baby may have an infection. In the case of fever, consult your pediatrician to rule out the possibility of other health problems.
Some Toys Make Babies Sharper
People have probably encouraged you to buy toys for your baby to make them smarter. Although toys are useful, they are not solely responsible for educating your baby. Your baby will not become smarter if you just stick them down with a few colorful blocks.
The interaction between you and the baby during playtime will make your baby sharper. Your baby’s brain will grow faster if you interact with them, talk about toys, and help them discover how the toys work.
Breastfeeding a Baby Comes Naturally
When you are an expectant mother, you might believe that breastfeeding will be natural for you and the baby when the time comes. This is just a myth because you and your baby will take time to master proper breastfeeding techniques.
Your newborn will not latch onto your nipple automatically. Although your baby will have natural sucking reflexes, they will need to learn how to nurse.
If you are a new mom, it may take a few weeks before you learn to latch your baby properly. Even when you are a healthy mother, it may take time before breastfeeding feels natural. In some extreme cases, you may be averse to breastfeeding immediately after your baby comes.
Milk may not even come right away, and you may feel like your baby is starving. If you find yourself in this situation, you can introduce your infant to baby formula. Check out this article to learn how formula can benefit your baby and how it compares to breast milk. Alternatively, if you want to stick with breastfeeding and you’re having trouble with lactating, you can improve your milk supply with lactation energy bites.
Picking up a Crying Baby Will Spoil Them
You can’t spoil your crying baby by picking them up repeatedly. Holding your baby is just a way of showing affection to them.
The best time to build trust with your baby is during the first few months of their life. A good time to build trust is when you calm them down when they wail. Soothing helps your baby understand that you’ll always be there to help them.
Picking up your crying baby also helps them understand that you are a responsive caregiver. It becomes easy to strengthen the baby-caregiver bond. As such, don’t feel like you are spoiling your baby if you always rush to pick them up when they cry.
Something Is Wrong if the Baby Cries Excessively
After a healthy pregnancy, you expect your baby to also be in good health. It might therefore baffle you when your baby cries a lot. The first thing that comes to mind is that your baby has a health issue.
However, excessive crying does not always mean that your baby is in pain. It is just a way of communicating. The baby may be signaling to you that they need something like food or that they are uncomfortable.
If your baby calms down when you rock them, you shouldn’t be worried. Baby crying should not bother you if your child appears healthy and has no signs of illness.
You should only reach out to your pediatrician if the baby is crying non-stop for hours.
Babies Should Drink Water During Hot Weather
People telling you that your baby needs water during the early days of life is just a myth. Even when the temperatures hit an all-time high, you shouldn’t give water to your baby.
Babies have immature kidneys and may have difficulties excreting water. As a result, water could cause an electrolyte imbalance in babies and other issues like dizziness. You should wait until your child is at least six months old to allow them to sip water occasionally.
Pediatricians recommend using formula or breast milk for optimal health in babies. If you feel that your baby needs hydrating, you should use these two fluids instead of water.
Don’t Let Baby Myths Mislead You
Whether you are a first-time mom or deep into motherhood, well-meaning people will give you so much information about babies. You need to be aware that some are just baby myths that could impact your baby negatively. We have debunked these myths to help you know what’s good for your baby.
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