Grandparents' Outdated Baby Advice: Pediatricians Correct Common Myths
When a new baby arrives, parents are often bombarded with well-meaning advice from grandparents and others. From nap schedules to feeding routines, conflicting opinions can leave new parents feeling overwhelmed. While grandparents offer invaluable support and babysitting breaks, their child-rearing methods from decades ago often clash with modern safety guidelines. Parenting recommendations evolve with new research, but letting go of past practices can be challenging for grandparents.
"We all, as humans, have some degree of survivorship bias and perhaps some defensiveness related to making specific parenting choices that we now recommend against," explained Dr. Krupa Playforth, a pediatrician and author, in an email. "I think that all of us are sensitive to the idea of our parenting choices being judged, and there's an implicit judgment when grandparents are told that the way they did things is now considered unsafe."
Despite good intentions, many practices from the 1990s and early 2000s are no longer deemed safe. Below, doctors and pediatricians clarify the incorrect baby health beliefs they frequently hear from grandparents.
Babies Should Not Sleep on Their Stomachs
Years ago, placing babies on their stomachs to sleep was considered healthiest, but research now links this position to an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). "That kind of prompted the 'Back to Sleep campaign,'" said Dr. Michael Glazier, chief medical officer for Bluebird Kids Health. This campaign, launched in 1994, promoted back sleeping as the safest option.
"The Back To Sleep campaign reduced the risk of SIDS in infants by 50% in just the first few years," noted Dr. Lauren Hughes, a pediatrician and medical communicator. "All pediatricians recommend infants be put on their back to sleep because it's safer." Additionally, grandparents often place items like stuffed animals or bumpers in cribs, but current guidelines advise against overcrowding. "They just need a firm mattress, and that's it," Glazier emphasized.
Rice Cereal Does Not Need to Go in the Baby's Bottle
Grandparents commonly suggest adding rice cereal to bottles, a practice from their own parenting days. Many believe it helps babies sleep better, but Dr. Beth Oller, a family medicine physician, debunked this myth. "What drives babies in those first especially four to six months to wake up at night is their need for calories," she said. Rice cereal lacks sufficient calories to keep babies full, so it won't improve sleep.
Oller also warned that using rice cereal requires bottles with larger nipple holes, leading to faster flow and potential choking hazards. "So not only does it not keep them full or help them sleep through the night, but it also can be a negative thing," she added.
Babies Don't Need Fever-Reducers Before Vaccines
Parents used to give fever-reducing medication like Tylenol before vaccine appointments to prevent post-shot discomfort, but this is no longer recommended. New research shows it can blunt the immune response, making vaccines less effective. "It's not current guidance anymore," said Dr. Leslie Treece, a pediatrician. While it's not a reason to skip vaccines, pre-medication is discouraged.
Toddlers Don't Need Shoes to Learn to Walk
Grandparents often insist toddlers need structured shoes for walking, but Glazier clarified this misconception. "Kids in all walks of life in all countries across the world learn to walk, regardless of shoes or not," he said. Shoes are accessories, not necessities, though soft-soled options may be useful outdoors. "But inside at home, barefoot's great," Glazier noted.
You Can't 'Spoil' a Baby by Holding Them 'Too Much'
The idea that picking up a baby frequently will spoil them is outdated. "There's no such thing as spoiling a baby with too much love or attention," Oller stated. Crying is babies' primary communication method, and responding builds emotional security and trust.
Babies Under 12 Months Should Not Have Honey
While honey is a recommended cough remedy for older children, it's unsafe for infants under 12 months. Glazier explained that honey can contain botulism spores, which infant immune systems can't easily fight off, potentially leading to infant botulism with symptoms like weakness and constipation.
They Should Not Wear Jackets in Car Seats
Leaving a coat on in a car seat is common among grandparents, but it's safer to remove it. Treece noted that coats compress during crashes, creating slack in straps and increasing injury risk. Instead, use a blanket over the straps once the baby is buckled in.
Setting Boundaries with Grandparents
When grandparents persist with unsafe advice, setting boundaries is crucial. "Remember that you are the parent, and at the end of the day, your role is to advocate for your kid," Playforth advised. Approach conversations compassionately, emphasizing shared goals for the child's well-being.
If needed, involve pediatricians as allies. "Let your pediatrician be the bad guy if you need to," Playforth suggested. "This is what the pediatrician recommended, and we trust them. This is the way we are doing things."
Ultimately, raising a healthy child focuses on basics like balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and emotional well-being. "For emotional and mental health, the biggest and best predictor is having a parent who is themselves emotionally and mentally healthy," Hughes said. Letting kids play, explore, and get dirty is part of fostering their development.
