The Parenting Advice You Might Want to Skip These Days
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The top offenders of offering up unsolicited parenting advice? Know-it-all moms; childless and clueless friends who have absolutely no idea what you're going through; and well-intentioned (but potentially annoying) moms, grandmas, and the like who still think that their old-school approach to parenting still applies today. Here are a few of the most common gems that the latter category is likely to dole out . . . and why you're totally justified in ignoring them.
"Put Some Rice Cereal in His Bottle — He'll Sleep Better"
"No! Because . . . " Once he's old enough for solids, he'll be able to eat them with a spoon. Putting solids in a bottle is confusing and can lead to overeating and a potentially overweight baby.
"Don't you think he could use another layer?"
"No! Because . . . " His forehead is already sweaty . . . and it's 40 degrees out, not 3.
"Your crib needs a bumper!"
"No! Because . . . " If the American Academy of Pediatrics says that they could be dangerous, you're listening to them, not Nana.
"Don't you think he's thirsty? Put some water in that bottle!"
"No! Because . . . " Both breast milk and formula will hydrate young babies adequately.
"You know you don't have to run to that baby every time she cries — you're spoiling her!"
"No! Because . . . " She needs to know you're there for her. And it's impossible to spoil a baby.
"It's OK to strap them in without a car seat; we're just going around the corner."
"No! Because . . . " Well, duh.
"She'd sleep better on her stomach."
"No! Because . . . " It's been identified as a SIDS risk, so why take the chance?
"Maybe the kids would be better behaved if you weren't always at work."
"No! Because . . . " You worked hard to get where you are in your career, and look at the awesome example you're setting for your children.
"A drop of whiskey would help with her teething."
"No! Because . . . " When CPS comes a-knocking, just send them grandma's way.
"Breastfeeding is just a fad; don't feel like you have to do it."
"No! Because . . . " It's been proven to do everything from improving a baby's immune system to encouraging their developmental skills, so if breastfeeding has become trendy, it's for great reason.