myths about caring for your child
myths about caring for your child
Caring for your child can be a challenge, but it is also one of the most rewarding experiences. However, with all that you’re trying to juggle as a parent, you might not always know if you’re doing the right thing.
Here are 5 myths about caring for your child and why they’re actually true
Myth 1
You need to be a doctor or nurse to look after your child While doctors and nurses can be helpful when it comes to assessing and treating your child’s problems, a regular GP or health visitor can also help with maintaining a good routine and wellbeing.
Myth 2 Everyone needs to be awake at the same time in the morning While it’s certainly useful for everyone to know what time it is, parents can often wake up in the morning with different ideas about when the baby should be waking up – and of course, that can cause a lot of frustration.
Having a strict routine can help ensure you have a great start to the day, so if you’re unsure, speak to your health visitor.
Myth 2
A bottle full of colostrum is a good substitute for a breast. False. A cup of colostrum does not replace breastfeeding but provides nutrition for your child.
The importance of colostrum cannot be over-emphasized, as it will kickstart your baby’s immunity and will help her to develop an immunity to illness in the first few weeks of her life.
Myth 3 My baby will stop crying if I use these cry-it-out methods.
False. It may be tempting to believe that your baby will instantly be comforted by a firm “NO” or by being put into a time-out corner.
However, this is not what your baby wants.
A good cry-it-out method includes a nap and a proper routine, where you reward your baby for a certain amount of crying.
Myth 4 Crying means your baby is not hungry. False.
Myth 3
Childcare is expensive. Truth: According to Working Mother Magazine, the average cost of childcare for a toddler aged up to 3 is approximately $12,040 per year. For the first two years, I used both a nanny and my sister-in-law to care for my daughter.
Although it was expensive, it was definitely worth it. Not only were the child care facilities awesome and provided an excellent learning environment, but I had much more time with my daughter during the day. Myth 4 Caring for your child is exhausting.
Truth: The first few months of my daughter’s life were very challenging. Not only was I adjusting to a new life, but I was also learning to care for a newborn. However, after she learned to crawl, I found it much easier.
Myth 4
Don’t think you should get dressed your baby until they can do it themselves It may seem like a small task, but this is one of the first things we should tackle as parents.
Our little ones are often uncomfortable and cranky if they can’t get dressed. It also means they need more help when they become unwell.
Put on their pajamas before they are in full-blown crisis mode and allow them to spend more time exploring their surroundings.
Myth 5 Everything should be washed at 6 months Every baby has its own unique smell – many of which could last all its life, and if you want them to put the bath next to the tumble dryer, you need to allow them to develop their own scent.
Myth 5
Crying is a waste of time When you’re stressed or upset and you feel like you want to cry, do it. Crying is a powerful emotion, and it is not a sign of weakness.
Crying is a natural response to overwhelming emotions, and it is your child’s reaction to your emotion too. The hormonal surges that our bodies experience can cause us to cry, it’s what our bodies do when we have emotions too.
If you want to cope with your child’s emotions, there is nothing wrong with a little crying. It is important for your child to see that you’re capable of grieving and it’s a sign that you care about them.
Myth 4 Crying helps your child When you’re going through a difficult time, you might think that crying is what you should do to help yourself feel better.
