10 Outdated Theories About Parenting

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 Here are some examples of old ideas that are giving way to new discoveries – 10 outdated theories about parenting:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Taken From Nanny Flower's Kid Blog