Baby Myths Busted: What Indian Parents Need to Know
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 Some traditional practices are helpful, but others are outdated myths that can actually harm your baby.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!
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Breastfeeding Myths
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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 - it won't hurt your baby. Just watch for any specific reactions.
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 NORMAL, not a sign of low supply.
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 safe alternative when needed, but breast milk remains the gold standard.
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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 provides enough hydration.
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 4-6 months
Babies wake at night because their tummies are small. This is developmental, not a feeding problem.
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 not recommended by modern medicine.
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.
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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.
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 first few months (can irritate skin).
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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!
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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
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!
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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)
If your baby has fever above 38°C (100.4°F), something else is causing it - see a doctor!
Myth: Babies must poop daily
FACT: Pooping frequency varies! Normal patterns:
Breastfed babies: Multiple times daily OR once every 7-10 days
Formula-fed babies: Usually daily
As long as poop is soft when it comes, there's no constipation - even if days pass between poops.
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.
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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!
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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
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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 up to 10 days without pooping if the stool is soft when it comes. Hard, pellet-like stool = constipation.
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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
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
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