Weeding Through the Baby Advice Jungle


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When you’re expecting a baby, especially your first baby, you can expect to be bombarded with more baby advice than you’ll ever be able to use. It will seem like everyone has an opinion, and everyone seems to regard their opinions as Gospel fact.

You will receive advice about everything from what kind of baby supplies to buy, how to discipline your child (as if a baby could understand discipline anyway), how to handle night time parenting, and any number of other aspects of taking care of your baby. Much of the advice you receive will be contradictory, even when experts are giving it.

Of course, there are some things which are widely accepted. The vast majority of experts agree that breastfeeding is best for your baby if you are able to do so, especially during her first six months. It is almost universally agreed that you should lay your baby to sleep on her back to prevent SIDS. Your baby’s pediatrician will have the latest information on what is believed to be best for your baby, and she will usually be right. You should always follow your doctor’s advice.

The Internet can be a great place to get parenting advice, but be careful what sources you use. If something sounds really unusual, ask your pediatrician before trying it. Whether you seek parenting advice on the Internet, in books, or anywhere else, your best bet is to get as much advice as you can. Usually when several sources are giving the same advice, there’s a reason for it. Often that reason is because the advice works.

One thing you’ll want to remember (and possibly gently remind others) when people are giving you advice about how to take care of your baby is that she is your baby. Trust your instincts when it comes to incorporating other people’s advice, and ignore advice that doesn’t work for you, unless it comes from a qualified medical professional.

On the other hand, remember that most people who give advice are only trying to helpful. Even if you don’t want the advice, you’re generally better off staying pleasant, especially if the one giving advice is someone you’ll have to live with for a while(like a mother in law).



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