DivyaEverybody is talking about health and safety, whether it is of one’s own self, child health or family health. Nowadays, people of all age groups are fitness freak. They search for home remedies and information on the internet and start following it without even knowing its pros and cons. There are lots of myths about child health and obsolete practices which people follow.
A major study, last year, revealed that babies who were exposed to peanuts before 5 were actually less likely to develop peanut allergy as compared to the kids who waited till the age of 5 years to have it.
Following are the 5 common child health myths on growth and development
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The Myth: Teething causes diarrhea and fever
Parents often blame teething for diarrhea, high temperature, and cough. These symptoms are never caused by teething, so you should never dismiss them – make sure you consult with the doctor.
Teething starts around six months and completes around three years. Gums are red and swollen when the teeth are erupting. The baby will salivate and dribble more than usual and will chew objects more to relieve the irritation and pain.
Eating is painful which might cause mild temperature and decreased appetite for solid foods. Chewing on a cool teething ring (never frozen) or firmly textured foods can ease the pain. It also helps to strengthen the baby’s teeth and jaw muscles.
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The Myth: Juice is good for kids
Parents often give toddlers a bottle of juice or any flavored beverage to quench their thirst. Fruit juices are full of sugar and its overconsumption can lead to tooth decay, obesity, and flatulence.
Moreover, when children drink juice before or during the meals, it discourages them from eating a proper meal which could lead them to become underweight.
Although juices may contain fruits, it is best in moderation. Instead, let your children enjoy nature’s original thirst quencher – water.
Doctors recommend 180ml of juice per day for children between 1 to 6 years of age, and children over 6 years should not take more than 350ml per day.
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The Myth: Adding cereal to the baby’s bottle will help him sleep
When an infant wakes up at night, it is implied that he must be hungry – an age-old misconception. So if he is well fed with cereal before sleeping, he will not wake-up and sleep full longer. Unfortunately, it is also a myth that affects the child health.
Feeding cereal too early can cause health problems for babies. Until about 6 months, a baby’s digestive system is not ready for solid food or any baby cereal. It might lead to choking, obesity, inhaling food into the lungs, gagging, and food allergies.
Exception: If your baby is seeing a doctor for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), parents might be advised to alter his bottle with thickening formula or breastmilk for the same.
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The Myth: Walkers help babies to walk early
According to research, children who use walkers are slower to crawl, sit, and walk on their own as compared to those without walkers.
Safety and health experts oppose the use of baby walkers due to a number of injuries and accidents they cause. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has also opposed the manufacture and sale of walkers with wheels as it gives them additional speed, height, and access to many hazards.
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The Myth: Vaccines cause autism
This one myth is the most dangerous to eradicate. According to doctors and health professionals, the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) does not cause autism.
Parents prefer to do more of their own research on vaccine safety. A recent report analyzed 20,478 articles on vaccine safety and did not find any evidence that MMR vaccine causes autism.
Autism appears within the first three years of life, so a misconception occurred linking the vaccination and autism. It has a physiological origin and results from an abnormality in the brain, which might have a genetic basis. It is four times more common in boys than girls.
Have more facts to share with us regarding the common child health myths? Please share with us in the comments section.
Wish you a very Happy and MYTH Free Parenting!
