Don’t buy these common baby myths!

If you just had a baby, you’re bound to have a lot of advice thrown your way. But keep in mind, common wisdom isn’t always wise. We know better these days. Holding a baby often or picking him up when he cries won’t spoil him. Keeping your baby from taking an afternoon nap is not going to make him sleep faster at night — it’s just going to make him overtired and cranky. If you’re breast feeding, spicy or citrus food won’t make your baby reject your milk. And the list of baby myths goes on and on….

When in doubt about advice thrown your way, double check with a trusted source — like your pediatrician. Meanwhile, we have four common baby myths we’ll debunk for you right now.

A good book to set baby myths straight is Babyfacts by Dr. Andrew Adesman. Dr. Adesman is Chief of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York and an associate professor in the Pediatrics Department at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Here are some of the baby myths — among 200 others — he debunks in his book:

Myth: Babies need over-the-counter medication for coughs and colds.

Truth: Over-the-counter doesn’t mean safe. In fact, cough and cold medicines are not recommended for children under four years old. Children just need extra rest and fluids while letting a bout of cough or cold virus run its course. Dr. Adesman explains, “Over-the-counter baby medications have increasingly gotten ‘blacklisted’ from a pediatric standpoint. Parents feel better about doing something rather than nothing, but in reality, the medications don’t work that well and are not necessary. Accidental overdose is another serious risk.”

Myth: Herbal remedies are a safer alternative to over-the-counter medications.

Truth: Though some herbal remedies (such as echinacea) are usually safe, it is still best to consult with a doctor or homeopath before administering. Dr. Adesman says, “Data on most natural cold and flu remedies is limited at best. In some cases, you may be giving your child a substance that could cause harm. On the other hand, some natural remedies are helpful.”

Myth: All ear infections need to be treated with antibiotics.

Truth: Most babies are bound to suffer from an ear infection, but it is treatable — and not always with antibiotics. Dr. Adesman explains, “This is a big change in America because for decades, pediatricians have been very aggressive in treating ear infections. In Scandinavia, on the other hand, childhood ear infections have, for many years, been generally left untreated. The change in treatment recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics is based on the fact that 80% of all children with ear infections (acute otitis media or AOM) get better on their own, without antibiotics.”

Myth: Don’t vaccinate your child because vaccines can lead to autism.

Truth: No scientific investigation has successfully proven vaccines cause autism. Dr. Adesman says, “With respect to the autism ‘epidemic,’ it’s important that families recognize that in recent years, there has been a marked shift in the definition of autism, which makes it seem like rates have increased. Autism is now recognized as a ’spectrum disorder’ — with many more mild cases that were previously never classified as “autism.” In addition, children with other developmental disorders, such as mental retardation or language disorders, are also now being classified as having autism. This diagnostic substitution has led to a further increase in the reported number of children with autism. In reality, there may be some rise in the number of children with autism spectrum disorders, but experts are not certain there has been any increase in the frequency of what had originally been defined as autism. The benefits of immunizations to your child and the overall community far outweigh any risks.”

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