Parenting advice changes over time, so if youre a new parent you may be dodging weird advice fromyourparents.
Heres everything thats changed and why, according to pediatricians and safety experts.
Baby Bumpers Are a Bad Idea
Bumpers are cushions that tie onto the crib rails.
But that doesnt mean its a good idea to use them.
Id trust pediatricians over bumper manufacturers there.
Of every 1,000 babies born in 1988, for example, 1.4 died of SIDS.
Theres more to safe sleep than laying babies on their backs, though.
ensure the baby doesnt get too hot (look for sweating and flushed cheeks).
Consider using a pacifier (itseems to help).
Dont have any blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals in the crib.
Your babys digestive system isnt ready for new kinds of food earlier than that.
Older guidelines sometimes suggested introducing solids earlier.
The exact right age to introduce solids varies with the baby.
TheWorld Health Organizationnames6 months as the correct age to start, but some babies might be ready earlier.
Delaying them may increase the chance of allergies.
That advice is for kids without a high risk for allergies.
There are more changes, too.
Yeah, they may have to sit with their legs scrunched up.
From there until age 12, they should sit on a booster seat.
Younger kids will need a booster with a back to hold the seatbelt in a safe position.
If your caronlyhas a front seat, look for a switch to turn off the air bag.
With those changes, and with supervision and good baby-proofing, walkers arent exactly death traps.
Pediatricians dont like them anyway, citingconcerns that they might delay babies development.
Illustration by Sam Woolley.
