Share on Facebook | Follow on Instagram:
We’ve all probably experienced this. When you tell someone that you’re expecting or you’ve recently had a baby, they are always quick to give you advice, whether you solicit it or not. It truly is nice when they do it, because it is from the goodness of their hearts, but what isn’t so nice is that they may be incidentally spreading outdated myths or misconceptions that have since been proven incorrect by modern science. While the thought definitely counts, if you or a friend ends up following incorrect advice, then it could lead to a negative impact for not only you but your baby.
In today’s article, we’re going to talk about some common infant care myths that you may have heard and why they should be avoided.
Myth: Keeping a Baby Awake Longer Helps Them Sleep Better
People may think that this is true because it is relatively true in adults. If you stay awake longer, especially after an active day, you will tend to sleep like a stone for a solid block of time, maybe even longer than you normally would. However, this is patently untrue when it comes to infant care!
In reality, overtired babies often sleep worse, not better. If an infant is kept awake too long, their body actually releases stress hormones which, among other things, make it more difficult for them to settle down and to get to sleep. Your newborn will thrive best on regular, consistent sleep and wake cycles and shouldn’t be manipulated into an attempt to sleep longer.
Myth: Newborns Need Silence to Sleep Well
Sure, you probably shouldn’t put on your favorite Metallica album at high volume just before putting your baby down for a nap, but you also don’t have to make your house as silent as a tomb either. While in the womb, babies were used to constant noise levels all around them and yet they still were able to sleep and wake naturally. They will continue to do so out here.
We’ve found that putting on a white noise machine or perhaps a television on low can help a baby actually sleep better than complete silence. The two things that can bring a baby out of sleep are typically too much light and a sudden loud noise. Our bodies are typically more inclined to respond to light stimulus rather than auditor stimulus when it comes to getting to sleep and staying asleep.
Myth: Walkers help babies learn to walk faster.
A baby walker seems like a great tool to help them learn to walk faster, but it can actually slow down the walking process! By allowing the baby to rest on the walker, they aren’t learning the balance and muscle control necessary to walk on their own. If you want to speed up walking, then prioritize tummy time and let them learn to get around naturally using just their body rather than a machine.
Myth: Adding rice cereal to a bottle helps babies sleep longer.
Adding any sort of food or additive to a child’s bottle before 6 months of age can be a serious risk. For the first six or so months, a baby should only have approved baby formula or breastmilk and nothing else. Introducing solid foods can expose them to excess sugar, industrial additives, and even a potential choking hazard. Stick to the basics!
Before You Go
We hope that this blog about baby care myths was helpful to you. If your little one is still fussy after feeds, struggling to settle, or having trouble sleeping, we’re here to support you.
From sleep consulting to in-home 24/7 sleep training and overnight newborn care or in-home newborn care services, we offer personalized guidance to help your little one (and you!) get the rest you need.
Have questions? Let’s Chat — we’d love to help your family rest easier.
Katie B.
Expertise You Need:
- Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
- Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022)
- Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
- 16 years professional childcare experience
- Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022)
- Travel & ROTA Nanny
Katie has over 16 years experience working with children of all ages. As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Newborn Care Specialist, she has professionally supported families and babies worldwide over the last 10 years. Her mission is to help the entire family unit get better sleep, utilizing a holistic approach that supports the baby or child’s natural biologic drive to sleep. She has personally served hundreds of families, holds 20,000+ hours exclusively caring for infants & babies and has 69+ 5-⭐️ Google reviews.
The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.
© 2024 Bishop Enterprises, LLC All Rights Reserved
Share on Facebook | Follow on Instagram:
Disclaimer: This content was automatically imported from a third-party source via RSS feed. The original source is: https://www.theearlyweeks.com/common-infant-care-myths-new-parents-should-know-and-avoid/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=common-infant-care-myths-new-parents-should-know-and-avoid. xn--babytilbehr-pgb.com does not claim ownership of this content. All rights remain with the original publisher.
