Bellyitch Rewind
It turns
out that conventional parenting techniques long heralded as law have often
proven to be less than the ideal approach. What our parents, and their parents,
held as child-raising gospel no longer holds water, according to many experts.
Here are some examples of old ideas that are giving way to new discoveries – 10
outdated theories about parenting:
out that conventional parenting techniques long heralded as law have often
proven to be less than the ideal approach. What our parents, and their parents,
held as child-raising gospel no longer holds water, according to many experts.
Here are some examples of old ideas that are giving way to new discoveries – 10
outdated theories about parenting:
1. Don’t pick the baby up every time she
cries. – The philosophy behind this old theory holds that it will spoil the
baby if she catches onto the fact that crying will garner your attention.
Babies, in fact, do need your attention for one reason or another when they
cry, and they need to know that you’ll be there for them when they do.
cries. – The philosophy behind this old theory holds that it will spoil the
baby if she catches onto the fact that crying will garner your attention.
Babies, in fact, do need your attention for one reason or another when they
cry, and they need to know that you’ll be there for them when they do.
2. Alcohol rubdowns reduce fevers. – They do
not lower the baby’s temperature. To compound the error of this myth, the risk
of absorption of alcohol into the baby’s skin poses an even greater danger than
the fever itself.
not lower the baby’s temperature. To compound the error of this myth, the risk
of absorption of alcohol into the baby’s skin poses an even greater danger than
the fever itself.
3. Immunizations weaken your baby’s immune
system. – Your baby’s immune system will naturally develop antibodies against
minor illnesses as he grows. However, immunizations against serious diseases
protect the baby from experiencing their effects as opposed to enduring them
(if they aren’t in fact fatal) just to develop a resistance to them.
system. – Your baby’s immune system will naturally develop antibodies against
minor illnesses as he grows. However, immunizations against serious diseases
protect the baby from experiencing their effects as opposed to enduring them
(if they aren’t in fact fatal) just to develop a resistance to them.
4. A strict feeding schedule is essential
for your baby’s health. – Wrong. Doctors now agree that it’s best to allow the
baby’s own hunger cues to dictate when they eat, rather than to feed her just
because ‘it’s time’. Feeding on a schedule rather than on the baby’s cues can
actually be unhealthy for her.
for your baby’s health. – Wrong. Doctors now agree that it’s best to allow the
baby’s own hunger cues to dictate when they eat, rather than to feed her just
because ‘it’s time’. Feeding on a schedule rather than on the baby’s cues can
actually be unhealthy for her.
5. An infant should be put to sleep on its
stomach. – The logic here was that the
child would be less susceptible to choking on spit-up. However, evidence now
indicates this sleeping position leads to higher incidents of SIDS (Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome).
stomach. – The logic here was that the
child would be less susceptible to choking on spit-up. However, evidence now
indicates this sleeping position leads to higher incidents of SIDS (Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome).
6. Too much sugar will make your kid hyper.
– There is actually no evidence to support this theory. The truth is that some
sugary foods lack the fiber that allows the sugar to be released gradually into
the bloodstream. That, and not the sugar content itself, is the cause for your
child’s energy burst.
– There is actually no evidence to support this theory. The truth is that some
sugary foods lack the fiber that allows the sugar to be released gradually into
the bloodstream. That, and not the sugar content itself, is the cause for your
child’s energy burst.
7. It’s wrong to answer: “Because I said
so.” – Truth is, there are times when this is a valid answer to settle a debate
that has otherwise been answered in detail. Once you’ve provided ample
explanation as to why something is the way it is, ending your child’s protests
by reminding him who’s the boss is perfectly OK.
so.” – Truth is, there are times when this is a valid answer to settle a debate
that has otherwise been answered in detail. Once you’ve provided ample
explanation as to why something is the way it is, ending your child’s protests
by reminding him who’s the boss is perfectly OK.
8. A child’s brain is fully developed by the
age of 3. – There are some basic skills that a child will fully develop by that
time, but her brain will continue to develop in some areas for years to come.
Such things as personal interests, skills, and abstract thought appear later in
life as a result of this continued development.
age of 3. – There are some basic skills that a child will fully develop by that
time, but her brain will continue to develop in some areas for years to come.
Such things as personal interests, skills, and abstract thought appear later in
life as a result of this continued development.
9. “My baby deserves the best.” – Not so
fast. There is a natural tendency for parents to want to provide everything
they can for their children; however overindulgence and leniency can be far
worse for them than letting them do without a few things from time to time. If
you’re going to lavish them with anything, make it love.
fast. There is a natural tendency for parents to want to provide everything
they can for their children; however overindulgence and leniency can be far
worse for them than letting them do without a few things from time to time. If
you’re going to lavish them with anything, make it love.
10. Parenting comes naturally. – It doesn’t
take more than a brief glance at headlines to see the lie in this myth. In
fact, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article if it came naturally to you
either. The truth is we all need to learn what does and doesn’t work in raising
healthy children. There is no shame is seeking advice and assistance from
qualified people.
take more than a brief glance at headlines to see the lie in this myth. In
fact, you probably wouldn’t be reading this article if it came naturally to you
either. The truth is we all need to learn what does and doesn’t work in raising
healthy children. There is no shame is seeking advice and assistance from
qualified people.
What else? What outdated theory would you add?
image: @BrandiLombas
