Beware of Myths About Baby Care

Prospective parents who want to do their best for their baby can sometimes act with hearsay information. However, it is very important that parents who have just had a baby do not make some mistakes. Because the mistakes that are known to be right among the people can cause serious illnesses and even life-threatening in the baby. From the Department of Child Health and Diseases, Memorial Antalya Hospital, Uz. Dr. Ahmet Yıldırım gave information about the well-known mistakes about child health.

False: "Every newborn baby has jaundice"

Correct: Not all newborns have jaundice. The risk of jaundice is high in babies born prematurely, with low birth weight, very large, excessive weight loss and blood incompatibility. Contrary to popular belief, neonatal jaundice is not contagious.

False: "It is good to drink sugar water and dress yellow for a baby with jaundice."

Right: Water or sugar water should never be given to a baby with jaundice. The baby with jaundice should be fed with breast milk frequently. Moreover, contrary to popular belief, jaundice does not disappear when the baby is dressed in yellow. The baby looks white as it is compared to a yellower color than the baby.

False: "Rubbing salt on the skin of newborn babies prevents rash and rash"

True: Salt absorbed through the skin can even cause the death of the baby. For this, it is more correct to buy diaper rash products from pharmacies with the recommendation of a doctor.

False: "Constipated baby should be given olive oil"

Right: It is not right to give olive oil to babies or children directly. If the baby coughs while drinking the whole oil, olive oil can get into the lungs and a more dangerous picture may occur than constipation. Fibrous foods should be given to children with constipation and olive oil should be added to their meals.

False: "Since skin rashes in the baby are temporary, they should not be dwelled on."

True: Skin rashes can sometimes be the harbinger of very important diseases. Where and how it is in the body must be evaluated by a pediatrician.

False: "A baby who erupts has a fever and diarrhea."

That's right: the baby's body gets hot during the teething period. However, it does not get enough fever to require an antipyretic. During this period, babies' poop is softened, but there is no significant diarrhea, fever or abdominal pain.

False: “Babies' pacifier sucking causes tooth curvature and sagging lips; finger sucking is better "

Right: Babies should stop breastfeeding when they are 2 years old, and finger sucking when they are 3 years old. If the process is prolonged, the tooth and palate structure of children may deteriorate.

Wrong: "There is no tension in children"

Correct: The blood pressure of babies can be checked from the newborn period and blood pressure measurement should be a part of the examination of the children.

Wrong: "The sound of a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner should be used while sleeping babies."

True: Babies with colic crying in the form of long-term and frequent attacks during the day may calm down because they associate the sound of these devices with the sound they hear in the womb, but it is not correct to put children to sleep with this method. Doctor's recommendations should be taken into consideration in this regard.

Wrong: "Every child has a urinary tract infection and goes away in a short time"

True: Recurrent and untreated urinary tract infections can lead to later kidney failure. A pediatric health and disease specialist should be consulted without delay.