Let’s just admit that the real adventure of being a parent starts when you welcome your newborn into your home. If you're a newbie, everything from bathing, changing diapers to cutting nails can be overwhelming.

 

No doubt you must have been preparing yourself in advance through various potential sources—your doctor, the internet, experienced parents or elders in the family. Being a new parent, you can be bombarded with tons of suggestions and tips on how to take good care of your baby. This can be a bit hard to process. It’s important to trust your instincts as a caregiver while listening to all the advice given to you. Listen to everything with a pinch of salt and know when to filter out advice that sounds unscientific or doesn’t suit your personal situation.

 

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10 Common Myths Debunked About Baby Care

 

Myth #1: Babies need to be bathed daily.

Truth: keeping your newborn clean is a good practice to protect their delicate skin from rashes and allergies. However, daily bathing is not necessary for them, just a semi-bath like washing the face, neck and nappy area will do.

 

Consider a mild baby wash like the EqualsTwo two-in-one baby wash.

 

Myth #2: Teething causes fever in babies

Truth: It is widely believed that teething leads to fever in infants. But, the fact is teething does not occur before the age of six months and that continues till 24 months. In a 2017 study issued in the paper Children, research was conducted on 2 to 36 months old babies with fever without source, it was found that at least one virus (most frequently adenovirus, human herpesvirus-6, enterovirus, and parechovirus) could be identified in 76 per cent of children in whom no other explanation for the fever was found, but also in 40 per cent of children with serious bacterial infections.

 

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Myth #3: Holding babies for long may spoil them

Truth: Babies cry to get the attention of their parents. According to a 2010 study issued in the paper Scientific American, many children who have not had ample physical and emotional attention are at higher risk for behavioural, emotional and social problems. If contact and care reduces, the stress hormone increases as they grow up. Hence, it is natural and recommended for parents to keep their newborns close and provide all the care and attention they can.

 

Myth #4: Oil massages are old school

Truth: Massage is an age-old practice that is beneficial for the baby's bone health as well as weight. Massaging a baby with coconut oil is advised because it helps improve blood circulation and it also helps induce sleep, according to a 2010 review in Infant Behavior and Development.

 

However, massaging the baby with EqualsTwo baby moisturiser can help maintain the ultra-soft skin of the baby. This lotion is made from 100 per cent natural ingredients of coconut water, aloe vera extract and barley beta-glucan that helps keep the baby’s skin supple and hydrated.

 

Myth #5: Lactating mothers should rely on bland foods

Truth: As a breastfeeding mother, your doctor may suggest you avoid certain foods that may lead to allergies such as nuts, dairy, soya, peanuts, shellfish, fish, etc. However, it is different for all women depending upon their medical history and postnatal status. Although avoiding alcohol or excessive amounts of caffeinated beverages is imperative while breastfeeding.

 

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Myth #6: Applying honey on baby pacifiers or comforters will help them with teething

Truth: Introducing honey to babies under 6 months can put them at a great risk of infant botulism. It is a rare condition in which infants get serious bowel issues due to spores Clostridium botulinum that turns into bacteria in the bowels and produces harmful neurotoxins in their bodies. Symptoms include the inability to suck and swallow, weakened voice, ptosis, floppy neck, and extreme weakness and hence referred to as 'floppy baby syndrome.' It is a self-limiting condition, managed by supportive care and assisted feeding, finds StatPearls, 2021 .

 

Myth #7: Applying kajal will make the baby’s eyes beautiful and healthy

Truth: It is a myth that applying kajal to a baby’s eyes makes their eyes beautiful. Any kind of cosmetic should be avoided as the baby's skin is sensitive. Even homemade kajal should be avoided, as it can cause allergies or infections.

 

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Myth #8: Feeding the baby well will make them stop crying

Truth: Feeding the infant every time the baby cries is not a great option. There can be other reasons for continuous crying, for instance, the diaper may need to be changed. could be alerting you to discomfort from rashes or irritation occurring from prolonged exposure to dampness.

 

You can always rely on EqualsTwo rash diaper ointment which is 100 per cent natural dermatologically tested for safety, to provide the best to a baby’s skin.

 

Myth #9: Newborns cannot see

Truth: This is one of the weirdest myths ever. The baby's vision may be blurred but infants can see right after their birth. Gradually, their vision improves as they grow.

 

Myth #10: Babies sleep better on their tummies

Truth: As per Mayo Clinic, 2022, babies should always be made to sleep on their backs and never on their tummies. Making a baby sleep on their tummy puts them at the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome.

 

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