The day you announce your pregnancy to those around you, the unsolicited advice starts rolling in. From old wive’s tales, deeply rooted cultural beliefs to the latest research findings about vaccinations, it’s often difficult to know which advice is good and which is outdated.
With my first baby, I read every parenting book I can get my hands on from front to back. I believed that as long as I am “educated” in the parenting realm, I can control my baby’s health, behavior, skills, development– pretty much my baby’s entire first year. Thankfully it didn’t take long for the realities of motherhood to settle in and teach me that there are actually very few things you can really control in a child’s life. But of course, that’s a whole another story. 😉
So what kind of retro and modern parenting advice have you received from well-meaning individuals? One thing I heard repeatedly from older members in my family during my baby’s first year was to give my baby rice cereal in a bottle to keep him sleeping through the night. When I asked how I can give rice cereal in a bottle since the nipple hole is so tiny, I was told to snip it with scissors!
Thankfully I didn’t listen to this advice, as giving rice cereal in a bottle can be a choking hazard for the little ones. Interestingly, this seems to be a popular “parenting hack” used in the 80’s to get babies to sleep longer. It’s a good thing we know better now! Now watch this fun video that explores good vs retro parenting advice. It’s a good one!
With that said, here are some important reminders from KnowYourOTCs.org to keep your family safe this season.
1. Safe medicine dosing when treating kids
When giving over-the-counter medicine to your kids, never ever use a kitchen spoon. Instead, ALWAYS use the measuring device that comes with packaging and be sure to read the labels carefully. For more important OTC tips for parents, refer to KnowYourOTCs.org’s guide.
2. Important sunscreen tips
Living in So Cal, we are constantly under the sun and it’s easy to forget simple tips to avoid sunburn. As summertime comes nearer, review these important tips to protect your family from harmful effects of the sun.
3. Promoting healthy sleep routine
Sleep is an essential part of our lives that get disrupted with the birth of each child. As a person who needs at least 7-8 hours of sleep every day, establishing a good sleep routine for my children is so important for my overall health and well-being. Be sure to check out KnowYourOTCs.org’s expert article that details advice for parents with kids of any age. It also reminds us how many hours of sleep kids need at different ages.
Before you go, check out this fun video I made in partnership with KnowYourOTCs.org. I’m so honored to be a part of their team of parenting bloggers who are committed to spreading education and awareness for all things health and over-the-counter meds!
What retro advice have you heard while parenting? Please share them in the comments below!
