14 Most Outdated Pieces of Baby Advice

It's like that Bucky Covington song 'A Different World'.  As time goes by what we think we know about parenting changes based on new studies, technology, etc.  From Parents advisor Ari Brown, M.D.,  here are 14 parenting myths that have proven to be false.

Myth: Infants need to be bathed every day.

The truth: Babies don't get stinky from sweat the way adults do, so they only need a bath every two or three days (except following a major diaper explosion!). If it's part of your wind-down routine, a daily bath is perfectly okay too--just moisturize afterwards.

Myth: Babies sleep best in a room that's silent and dark.

The truth: While some children really are light sleepers, most do fine with background noise and a little light. Plus, if your little one gets used to some activity around him when he's sleeping, he'll be more willing to snooze in a variety of situations.

Myth: When infants are running a high temperature, rub them down with alcohol to lower their fever.

The truth: Rubbing your baby with alcohol won't actually bring down her fever--plus it's unsafe, since alcohol can be absorbed through her skin.

Myth: Letting your little one stand or bounce in your lap can cause bowlegs later on.

The truth: He won't become bowlegged; that's just an old wives' tale. Moreover, young babies are learning how to bear weight on their legs and find their center of gravity, so letting your child stand or bounce is both fun and developmentally stimulating for him.

Myth: Listening to classical music will raise your baby's IQ.

The truth: Music can enrich a little one's life, but no conclusive research has found that having a baby listen to classical music in particular can result in significant brain-boosting benefits.

Myth: Let your baby cry it out; if you pick her up whenever she's wailing, you'll spoil her.

The truth: Babies under 4 months of age have few self-soothing strategies; they know how to suck to soothe and like being swaddled, but that's about it. Picking infants up when they cry helps them learn that parents will always be there to take care of them.

Myth: Babies should be woken up in the night to have a wet diaper changed.

The truth: Urine is sterile, and today's diapers are highly absorbent, so it's fine to leave a baby in a wet diaper overnight. However, staying in poopy diaper for too long can cause a UTI or a bladder infection, especially for baby girls--so if you smell one, change it out.

Myth: It's dangerous to immunize your infant if he has a cold or a low-grade fever.

The truth: A minor illness won't lower your baby's immune-system response to a vaccination--or increase his risk of any nasty reactions from a shot.

See all the rest via 14 Most Outdated Pieces of Baby Advice - Parenting on Shine.