Common Myths About Babies Debunked 

Written by Karli Steenkamp 

Babies have a language of their own. If only we could somehow decode what this little human is trying to say. It takes a while for parents to realise when or what our babies need by learning their patterns and mannerisms. Family, friends and even strangers will have plenty of advice to share to the point of being overwhelming. There are common misconceptions about babies that have been passed on from generation to generation and some are safe to say can be discarded as what it is: a myth. These ten common myths have been debunked. 

1. All cries sound the same 

You might have heard people say that babies’ cries sound the same; however it’s been proven that babies have different cries for different things. It is their way to tell us that they are hungry, tired, and irritable. The cries might sound the same after a while, but it is important to listen from when they start. It could tell you what your baby needs. If a baby cries hysterically it could be difficult to figure out what they want, but if you can try and decode the cries before it reaches that point, you eventually know what they mean. 

2. You’re holding your baby too much 

Babies need to learn absolutely everything about life. This is through modeling and watching their parents. The interactions at this age also have a huge impact on their development. [Text Wrapping Break]People often say that a baby is spoiled if he or she is held too often, however this is a time when your baby learns to communicate its wants and needs. Holding a baby builds trust between the parent and child, making them feel safe and help soothe him or her. A baby is only little for a while, so enjoy it while it lasts. 

3. Newborn babies can’t see you 

Many parents may have felt impressed by their newborn baby being alert and watching their every move. They may also have heard someone say that babies can’t see well when they are born. There is some truth to that, but babies can see even if it might be a bit blurry. They do see in black and white; only a few months later will they start seeing in color. Their focus will be about 8-10 inches from their face and will improve every day.  

4. Babies sleep best on their stomach 

The best sleeping position for many people are on their stomachs and many people believe that a baby sleeps best on his or her stomach as well. Even if that is the case it has been proven that it is not safe for babies to sleep on their stomachs. To reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) it is safer if a baby falls asleep on his or her back. 

5. A walker will help my baby walk faster 

Babies love a walker and the freedom they have with it, giving parents a few peaceful moments. Walkers should not be used unsupervised as the walker could be faster than the baby’s reaction, which could potentially cause injuries. A walker shouldn’t be used for more than fifteen minutes at a time. It could actually delay walking because the baby relies on the walker to help it along. If you do use a walker, ensure that it complies with the Australian Mandatory Standards and that your baby fits into it properly. 

6. Babies should drink water  

“Introduce water at a young age, so that your baby will love it.” As sensible as those words sound, it is actually quite dangerous giving a baby water for quite a number of reasons. Firstly, water isn’t always clean and could put your baby at risk of diarrhea. Breast milk and formula consists 80% out of water and contains all the water a baby needs. At this stage of development, a baby’s kidneys aren’t fully developed and it could do more harm than good.  

7. My baby is teething because he or she has a fever. 

Teething can be a nightmare. Sleepless nights, irritable babies and drool are all signs of teething. Teething can raise your baby’s temperature slightly, however it won’t be significant. A high fever should not be seen as teething and an underlying illness could easily be missed. A high fever is a sign of your baby is getting sick. 

8. Babies need silence when they sleep  

Babies do not need absolute silence when they are sleeping. Sleeping with white noise can actually help them sleep better. It is important to keep the noise consistent. 

9. You should never wake a sleeping baby 

You should definitely not unnecessarily wake a baby. All humans have a sleep routine and when we sleep too much during the day, we will not be able to sleep well during the night. Babies are the same, although they sleep more, sleeping too much during the day can make it difficult to sleep at night. So, it can be worthwhile to wake your baby to have a peaceful night’s sleep.

10. It’s not a smile, it’s gas 

Babies are like sponges, they soak up everything and learn and copy what they see. Smiling is one of those things that he or she will try and do, especially because of the reaction it gets from his or her parents. Young babies do smile when they are sleeping, although it might not have an emotional context. By two months, they should have a beautiful smile looking at all the funny faces you as parents are making. 

Every baby develops differently in every family. This is what makes all of us unique. There is no right or wrong – it is trial and error. Take advice, try it and decide what you want to use or not. In the end, no one knows your baby better than you. Follow your instinct and enjoy the parenting ride. 

References: 

  1. Sleeping Baby 
  2. Psychology today 
  3. American Optometric Association 
  4. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne 
  5. World Health Organisation 
  6. Web md 
  7. Just the facts babies 
  8. Raising children