Monday Morning Parenting: The New Old-Fashioned Way

Becoming a mother is like pledging the world's largest sorority. Think about it. Pregnancy is like rushing and giving birth is like being accepted into the Mu Omega Mu chapter. Then the sleep deprivation and round-the-clock feedings are like hazing rituals. All mothers go through these rites of passage, and it's so worth it.

Like all sororities, M.O.M is full of "big sisters" ready to impart their wisdom on baby care and child-rearing. Some of their advice, like never take a baby outside on a windy day or she will develop colic, are complete superstitions while some, such as using a little honey to sweeten baby food so he will eat better, are downright dangerous (you shouldn't give honey to a baby under the age of one year because it can cause botulism). While reading breastfeeding sites, I stumbled upon a old tip that drinking beer will enhance your milk production. I even found a vintage ad that perpetuates this claim. Ack! In fairness, some old wives' tales can be helpful. Have you heard the one about placing a piece of wet tissue on your baby’s forehead to stop hiccups? I found this one works most of the time (to add another layer to this tale, my MIL says that hiccups mean that the baby is growing).

Still the question remains...how do new members of M.O.M parent in these modern times without showing disrespect for the ways of the older generation? Many of us were fed infant cereal before we were six months old and we lived, right? I don't know if there is a better answer than to use your common sense. Some old-school methods are harmless, so it won't hurt your baby if you follow grandma's advice to pull his toes if he starts coughing while nursing, plus you spare her feelings. On the other hand, if your baby has teething pain you might want to skip the suggestion to rub whiskey on his gum, bump grandma's feelings in this case!

Being a new parent is a scary and confusing time, so it's natural to seek advice from those with experience. But at the end of the day you are the parent...not your well-meaning mother or aunt. Don't let yourself be coerced into doing anything to your baby that you aren't comfortable with. In other words, listen to your God-given maternal instincts. You are responsible for your child's health and happiness. Next time your mother-in-law insists that you give your baby a chicken bone to cut her teeth on, just flash your M.O.M badge and say, "thanks, but I can handle this. "

What are some of the craziest pieces of old-fashioned advice you were given as a new mom? Did you try any of them and did any of them actually work?