Quick Answer: New parents are bombarded with advice from everyone - dadi, nani, aunties, neighbors! Some traditional practices are helpful, but others are outdated myths that can actually harm your baby. From the kajal-in-eyes myth to gripe water recommendations, this guide separates fact from fiction using current medical evidence. Don’t worry - you’ll finally know what to believe!
Breastfeeding Myths
Myth: Breastfeeding mothers must eat bland, boring food
FACT: You can eat most foods! Your breast milk helps baby develop taste for different flavors. Avoid only:
- Excessive caffeine (limit to 1-2 cups chai/coffee)
- Alcohol
- Any food your baby seems to react to
Spicy food is usually fine for most mothers - just watch for any specific reactions in your baby.
Myth: I don’t have enough milk (Mera doodh kam hai)
FACT: 95% of mothers produce enough milk! Signs your supply is adequate:
- 6+ wet diapers daily (after day 4)
- Baby gaining weight
- You hear swallowing during feeds
Frequent feeding (8-12 times/day for newborns) is expected, not a sign of low supply. If your baby has fewer than 6 wet diapers a day, is very sleepy or not gaining weight, see your pediatrician.
Myth: Bottle-fed babies are healthier
FACT: Maa ka doodh is designed perfectly for human babies. It contains:
- Live antibodies that fight infections
- Perfect nutrition that changes as baby grows
- Components formula cannot replicate
Formula is a suitable alternative when needed, but breast milk remains the gold standard.
Feeding and Nutrition Myths
Myth: Babies need water before 6 months
FACT: NO! Breast milk is 88% water. Giving water to babies under 6 months can:
- Fill their tiny stomach, reducing milk intake
- Cause electrolyte imbalance
- Lead to water intoxication in extreme cases
Even in hot Indian summers, breast milk (or formula) provides enough hydration before 6 months. Nothing else should go in your baby’s mouth before 6 months except breast milk or formula.
Myth: Add rice cereal to bottle for better sleep
FACT: Don’t do this! It can:
- Cause choking
- Lead to obesity
- Interfere with breastfeeding
- Increase allergy risk if given before 6 months
Babies wake at night because their tummies are small. This is developmental, not a feeding problem. Solids should not start before 6 months.
Myth: Gripe water (Janam ghutti) helps digestion
FACT: Pediatricians recommend NOTHING except breast milk for babies under 6 months. Gripe water:
- May contain sugar, alcohol, or other ingredients
- Provides no proven benefit
- Can introduce infection or interfere with breastfeeding
Traditional janam ghutti is widely used but has no proven benefit; please discuss any such remedy with your pediatrician before giving it.
Myth: Honey soothes teething pain
FACT: DANGEROUS! Honey should NEVER be given to babies under 12 months because it can cause infant botulism - a serious, potentially fatal condition.
Baby Care Myths
Myth: Babies need daily baths (Roz nahana zaroori hai)
FACT: Newborns don’t need daily baths! 2-3 times per week is enough. Too much bathing:
- Dries out delicate skin
- Removes natural protective oils
- Can cause eczema flares
Keep face, neck, hands, and diaper area clean daily - that’s sufficient.
Myth: Apply kajal to make baby’s eyes beautiful/healthy
FACT: AVOID kajal on babies! Even homemade kajal can:
- Cause eye infections
- Lead to allergic reactions
- Contain harmful lead (in some commercial kajals)
Baby’s eyes are beautiful naturally - no enhancement needed!
Myth: Gram flour (besan) and turmeric (haldi) are better than soap
FACT: While natural, these can cause allergic reactions in sensitive baby skin. Use:
- Plain water for most baths
- Mild, hypoallergenic baby soap if needed
- Dermatologist-recommended products for dry skin
Myth: Use antiseptic/alcohol on umbilical cord
FACT: No cleaning products needed! Simply:
- Keep the cord dry
- Clean around it during regular baths
- Let it fall off naturally (1-3 weeks)
Applying antiseptics can delay cord separation. See your doctor if the skin around the cord becomes red, swollen, smelly, or oozing - this can signal infection.
Myth: Oil massage is outdated
FACT: Actually BENEFICIAL! Oil massage (malish):
- Improves blood circulation
- Promotes bonding
- May help with sleep
- Good for skin in dry weather
Use coconut oil, olive oil, or baby massage oil. Avoid mustard oil in the first few months (can irritate skin).
Sleep Myths
Myth: Babies sleep better on their tummy
FACT: DANGEROUS! Tummy sleeping increases risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
Safe sleep rules:
- Always on BACK (not tummy, not side)
- Firm, flat mattress
- No pillows, heavy blankets, toys in sleep area
- Room-sharing (not bed-sharing) is safest
Myth: Adding cereal makes baby sleep through night
FACT: Night waking is normal for babies - their stomachs are small. Sleep patterns mature with age, not food. Adding cereal early doesn’t help and may cause harm.
Myth: Newborns should follow a routine from day 1
FACT: Newborn sleep is unpredictable - and that’s normal! They:
- Sleep 16-17 hours but in short stretches
- Wake frequently to feed
- Don’t differentiate day from night initially
Routines develop gradually after 3-4 months. Don’t stress!
Development Myths
Myth: Picking up crying baby will spoil them
FACT: You CANNOT spoil a newborn! Responding to cries:
- Builds trust and security
- Helps brain development
- Is the only way babies can communicate
- Leads to MORE independent children later
Pick up your baby - they need your comfort.
Myth: Baby walkers help babies walk faster
FACT: Baby walkers can actually DELAY walking! They:
- Impair proper muscle development
- Don’t teach balance
- Are a safety hazard (falls, injuries)
- Are banned in some countries
Let babies practice on their own - tummy time, crawling, cruising along furniture.
Myth: Early milestones mean gifted child
FACT: Every baby develops at their own pace. Walking at 9 months vs. 14 months doesn’t predict intelligence. What matters is:
- Overall developmental progress
- Following general milestone ranges
- Any concerning delays being evaluated
Milestones are ranges, not fixed dates. As a rough guide: social smile by about 2 months, sitting without support around 6-9 months, first words around 12 months, and independent walking anywhere between about 9 and 18 months. See your pediatrician if your baby is NOT smiling by 3 months, not sitting with support by 9 months, not babbling or responding to sounds by 9-12 months, or not walking by 18 months - or if your baby loses any skill they previously had.
Don’t compare your baby to others!
Myth: Newborns can’t see
FACT: Newborns CAN see! Their vision is:
- Blurry at first (see clearly at 8-12 inches - perfect distance for breastfeeding)
- Black, white, and high-contrast patterns clearer
- Improving rapidly in first months
They recognize your face very quickly!
Health Myths
Myth: Teething causes fever (Daant aane se bukhar aata hai)
FACT: Teething does NOT cause high fever! It may cause:
- Mild discomfort
- Drooling
- Slight irritability
- Very slightly elevated temperature (NOT fever)
A temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher is a true fever - teething does not cause it, so something else is the cause and your baby should be seen by a doctor.
🚨 If your baby is under 3 months old, ANY fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher is a same-day emergency. Do not medicate and wait at home - take the baby to a doctor or hospital the same day. Do not give paracetamol to a baby under 3 months without a doctor’s advice.
For babies over 3 months, paracetamol is dosed by weight: 15 mg/kg per dose, every 4-6 hours, up to a maximum of 60 mg/kg in 24 hours. Always check the strength printed on your specific syrup (drops and syrups have different concentrations) and measure with the dropper or cup provided. When in doubt, confirm the dose with your pediatrician.
Myth: Babies must poop daily
FACT: Pooping frequency varies! Normal patterns:
- Breastfed babies: Multiple times daily OR only once every several days
- Formula-fed babies: Usually daily
As long as the poop is soft when it comes, there’s usually no constipation - even if several days pass between poops. Hard, dry, pellet-like stool, a hard or swollen tummy, blood in the stool, vomiting, or a baby who seems distressed are reasons to see your pediatrician. A newborn under 6 weeks who is not pooping at all should also be checked.
Myth: Keep newborns indoors for 40 days
FACT: While newborns need protection from crowds and sick people, brief outdoor time is fine and even beneficial:
- Fresh air is healthy
- Sunlight helps with jaundice
- Short outings are okay from birth
- Avoid crowded places and sick contacts
Use common sense - avoid extreme weather and crowded venues.
Bonding Myths
Myth: Immediate skin-to-skin or bonding is ruined forever
FACT: While immediate contact is wonderful, bonding is a process, not a moment. You can bond strongly even if:
- Baby was in NICU
- You had C-section
- Separation was necessary
Bonding happens through daily care, feeding, cuddling, and time together.
Myth: Parenting should come naturally
FACT: Parenting is LEARNED! It’s normal to:
- Feel overwhelmed
- Not know what to do
- Need help and guidance
- Make mistakes
Every parent learns as they go. Ask for help when needed!
What Science Says About Traditional Practices
Helpful Traditional Practices
| Practice | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Oil massage (malish) | BENEFICIAL - promotes bonding, circulation |
| Breastfeeding on demand | CORRECT - best for baby |
| Keeping baby warm | CORRECT - but not overheated |
| Postpartum rest for mother | BENEFICIAL - recovery is important |
Harmful Traditional Practices
| Practice | Verdict |
|---|---|
| Kajal in eyes | HARMFUL - causes infections |
| Gripe water before 6 months | NOT RECOMMENDED |
| Honey before 12 months | DANGEROUS - botulism risk |
| Pre-lacteal feeds | HARMFUL - interferes with breastfeeding |
| Tummy sleeping | DANGEROUS - SIDS risk |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: My mother-in-law insists on traditional practices. How do I handle this?
A: Share information respectfully. Show this article or ask your pediatrician to explain during a visit. Frame it as “new research” rather than “you’re wrong.”
Q: Everyone says my baby looks thin. Should I worry?
A: Trust your pediatrician’s growth chart assessment. Indian babies are often compared to overfed babies. If your doctor says growth is fine, it’s fine!
Q: Is it true that breastfed babies need vitamin D drops?
A: YES! This is a FACT, not a myth. All breastfed babies need vitamin D supplements (400 IU daily) because breast milk doesn’t provide enough.
Q: Should I give my baby water in summer?
A: NO if under 6 months. Breast milk provides all hydration needed. After 6 months, small sips of water with meals are fine.
Q: My baby doesn’t poop daily. Is this constipation?
A: Not necessarily! Breastfed babies can go several days without pooping and still be fine if the stool is soft when it comes. Hard, dry, pellet-like stool, a hard tummy, or a distressed baby may mean constipation - check with your pediatrician.
Key Takeaways
- Question traditional advice - Not all “dadi ke nuskhe” are safe
- Trust your pediatrician - Medical advice trumps family advice
- Back to sleep - Always place baby on back
- No water before 6 months - Breast milk is enough
- No kajal, no honey - These can harm your baby
- Crying doesn’t spoil babies - Respond to your baby’s needs
- Every baby is different - Don’t compare milestones
When to Get Emergency Help
🚨 Some signs need urgent care - call 112 (national emergency) or 108 (ambulance), or go to the nearest hospital right away if your baby has any of these:
- Trouble breathing, blue or grey lips or face, or stops breathing
- A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher in a baby under 3 months
- Floppiness, extreme sleepiness, or being very hard to wake
- A fit/seizure
- Severe allergic reaction (swelling of face, lips, or tongue; widespread rash with breathing difficulty)
🚨 In a suspected severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): call 112 or 108 / go to the nearest hospital immediately; if an adrenaline auto-injector has been prescribed for your child, use it first.
This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
General information for Indian parents, not a substitute for your pediatrician. In an emergency, call 112 or 108.
Need personalized guidance? Book a consultation with our pediatricians or explore our Care Plans for 24/7 expert support!
Related Tools