Common parenting misconceptions regarding infant care: setting the record straight for parents (and some pediatricians).

Abstract

First-time parents often turn to friends and family for advice regarding feeding, sleeping, bathing, diapering and toilet training, and childhood illnesses. Unfortunately, parents may at times be given incorrect and potentially dangerous advice as several widely embraced parenting practices are no longer deemed appropriate. In addition, young children are cared for by family and friends - many of whom are older and may still subscribe to outdated parenting practices.Parents and grandparents are not the only ones who subscribe to child care myths and misconceptions. Pediatricians also believe in the effectiveness of some outdated child care practices. Although some of these parenting myths are relatively benign, others may indeed pose a significant health risk or safety hazard to a young child. The purpose of this article is to review 10 commonly held myths or misconceptions regarding infant care. In this review article, we not only highlight many of the studies that document which outdated health beliefs are still endorsed by parents and/or pediatricians, but also review the specific health risks associated with these parenting myths or misconceptions. It is important that pediatricians educate parents and other primary caregivers about the potential risks of following outdated parenting practices.