The appearance of a baby brings great happiness but also makes many families confused. Besides the joy, parents often receive a lot of advice from relatives, friends and even social networks. However, not every concept is suitable for current medical knowledge.
According to Dr. Sumit Chakravarty, Deputy Director of Pediatrics & Neonatal Department & Head of Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Pediatrics & Neonatal Department, Asian Hospital, Faridabad (India), childcare needs to be based on scientific evidence instead of just word-of-mouth experience.
Newborns need to bathe every day
Many people think that bathing every day is necessary to keep the baby clean. In fact, children's skin is very sensitive, bathing too often can lose the natural oil layer, causing dryness and irritation. Just bathe 2-3 times/week, and at the same time thoroughly clean the diaper area and skin folds is enough. In addition, do not instill oil, apply kajal or homemade mixtures into children's eyes, nose, and ears because it is easy to cause infection.
Children cry because they are hungry
Hunger is just one of many reasons why children cry. The baby may cry due to drowsiness, bloating, being overexcited, or simply needing to be hugged. Understanding the child's signals correctly helps avoid overfeeding and increase emotional bonds.
Formula milk is like breast milk
Formula milk is an alternative solution when needed, but it cannot be completely like breast milk. Breast milk contains antibodies, enzymes and many biological components that help boost immunity. Therefore, breast milk is still considered the optimal source of nutrition for newborns.
Shaving helps hair grow thicker
Hair thickness and structure depend on genetics, not shaving. Hair growing back feels thicker just because the ends of the hair are cut flat.
Carrying too much will spoil the child
Contrary to concerns, holding and responding to cries does not spoil children. Conversely, close care helps children feel safe, supporting emotional and cognitive development.
Sleeping posture is not important
Lying on your back when sleeping is an important recommendation to help reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The bed needs to be secure, without pillows, soft blankets or stuffed animals.
Fever can be self-treated at home
Fever in newborns needs to be checked by a doctor early. Arbitrarily using honey, herbal water or folk remedies can be dangerous, even leading to severe infection.
Notes
Raising children is a journey of continuous learning. Referring to the experience of predecessors is natural, but when it comes to the health of newborns, medical evidence needs to be put first. Equipping parents with the right knowledge helps them feel more confident and ensure safety for their children in their early years.
