Outdated Baby Advice You Can Skip—And What to Do Instead
Parenting tips get passed down like family heirlooms, but not all of them age well. Thanks to decades of research, we now know that some “tried-and-true” baby care practices can actually be risky. Here’s why experts no longer recommend these old habits—and what today’s pediatricians suggest instead.
1. “You’ll Spoil Your Baby If You Hold Them Too Much”
Why It’s Outdated: Early 20th-century behaviorists believed comforting a crying baby would create dependency. Modern studies prove the opposite. Babies cry to communicate hunger, discomfort, or the need for reassurance—not to manipulate.
What to Do Instead: Respond to your baby’s cues—pick them up, cuddle, and soothe. This builds trust and supports healthy brain development, laying the groundwork for independence later on.
Recommended by: American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), Harvard Center on the Developing Child
2. “Give a Baby Water in Their Bottle”
Why It’s Outdated: Water can dilute sodium levels in an infant’s blood, causing dangerous electrolyte imbalances (“water intoxication”).
What to Do Instead: Exclusively offer breast milk or formula for the first six months. These provide all the hydration and nutrients your baby needs—even in hot weather.
Recommended by: AAP
3. “Your Baby Sleeps Best in Complete Silence”
Why It’s Outdated: Babies spent nine months surrounded by the constant whoosh of the womb. Total silence can be startling.
What to Do Instead: Use gentle white noise or a fan to create a consistent sound environment and block sudden household noises.
Recommended by: National Sleep Foundation
4. “Bathe Your Newborn Every Day”
Why It’s Outdated: Daily baths strip natural oils and vernix, a protective coating that guards against infection and dryness.
What to Do Instead: Delay the first bath for at least 24 hours after birth and bathe just two to three times per week. In between, a warm cloth to clean the face, neck, and diaper area is enough.
Recommended by: World Health Organization (WHO), AAP
5. “Rub Whiskey on Gums for Teething Pain”
Why It’s Outdated: Even tiny amounts of alcohol are toxic to infants and can affect brain and liver development.
What to Do Instead: Offer a chilled (not frozen) teething ring or gently massage gums with a clean finger. For severe discomfort, ask your pediatrician about infant acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Recommended by: AAP
6. “Swaddle a Baby Tightly to Restrict Movement”
Why It’s Outdated: Wrapping legs straight and snug can interfere with hip development and lead to hip dysplasia.
What to Do Instead: Use a hip-healthy swaddle that allows the knees to bend and hips to move freely. Stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling.
Recommended by: International Hip Dysplasia Institute
7. “Put Baby on a Strict Feeding Schedule”
Why It’s Outdated: Tiny stomachs empty quickly, and rigid schedules can lead to poor weight gain and decreased milk supply.
What to Do Instead: Feed on demand—whenever your baby shows early hunger cues such as rooting or sucking on hands.
Recommended by: AAP
8. “Give Honey for Constipation or as a Sweetener”
Why It’s Outdated: Honey can contain Clostridium botulinum spores that may cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness.
What to Do Instead: Skip honey until after your child’s first birthday. For constipation, talk to your pediatrician about safe options like a small amount of diluted prune juice.
Recommended by: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
9. “Add Vanilla to Breast Milk to Mask a Soapy Taste”
Why It’s Outdated: Adding flavorings hasn’t been proven safe and doesn’t address the root cause—high lipase levels in expressed milk.
What to Do Instead: If your stored milk tastes soapy, scald it shortly after pumping to deactivate lipase, or mix small amounts of high-lipase milk with freshly pumped milk.
Recommended by: La Leche League International, AAP
10. “Keep a Hat on Indoors to Prevent Chills”
Why It’s Outdated: While hats help newborns maintain body heat immediately after birth, indoor hats can quickly cause overheating—a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Babies regulate temperature through their heads and can become too warm before caregivers notice.
What to Do Instead: After the first day or two, dress your baby in a single layer more than you’re wearing and skip the hat inside. Reserve hats for cooler outdoor weather or for the first hour after a bath if your home is chilly.
Recommended by: AAP, Safe to Sleep® Campaign
11. “Put Baby Cereal in the Bottle to Help Them Sleep”
Why It’s Outdated: For years, some parents added rice cereal to bottles, believing the thicker feed would help babies feel full and sleep longer. Research shows that it doesn’t improve sleep and can increase the risk of choking. It may also contribute to excess weight gain and digestive issues.
What to Do Instead: Offer breast milk or formula only until your baby is developmentally ready for solids—usually around 6 months. When it’s time, introduce iron-rich single-grain cereals by spoon, not bottle.
Recommended by: AAP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Generations of parents did their best with the information they had. But science moves on, and so should we. When you hear a piece of “classic” baby advice, check it against current evidence and consult your pediatrician. Today’s guidelines are designed to keep your baby safe, healthy, and thriving.
Looking for additional information on newborn care? We’ve got you covered with our Newborn Consultations!
References
American Academy of Pediatrics: www.aap.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Harvard Center on the Developing Child: developingchild.harvard.edu
International Hip Dysplasia Institute: hipdysplasia.org
La Leche League International: www.llli.org
National Sleep Foundation: www.thensf.org
Safe to Sleep® Campaign (NICHD): safetosleep.nichd.nih.gov
World Health Organization: www.who.int
