I sometimes sit and think about how different parenting is now versus when my parents raised me. Sometimes, I wonder if it’s harder now or before. Now, there’s a lot more at your fingertips, thanks to the internet, but I feel like there are so many rules too! I’m someone who loves to read and learn, especially from experts, and there’s so many things to know to worry about now. Sometimes, I feel like parenting before might’ve been nicer since I may not be so paranoid, but then my baby does something and I’m more than relieved to have the internet and friends as resources to count on.
Some differences – crying it out or not. Now studies show that it’s not spoiling up to 6 months if you pick up and comfort and care for your baby in their first six months of life. It actually teaches them that we’ll be there for them. That’s definitely not something our parents believe in – my mom wanted me to just let our baby cry sometimes. Which gives me anxiety about allowing others to watch my kid because I don’t think they’ll follow my wishes.
Another thing – no blankets or other items in the crib/sleeping area until at least 1 year of age. Swaddling is the only thing that’s allowed – it helps prevent accidental suffocation. Sometimes it sucks since I now have to keep my temperature at home a certain range so I don’t worry about the baby getting too hot or cold, but oh well…
Introducing solids – now they say to introduce new foods and wait three days before trying a new one to check for allergies. Back then, I’m pretty sure my parents just started feeding me whatever and didn’t worry about it.
Then there are things like Wonder Weeks and sleep/awake windows. Are we overanalyzing? Possibly. But these are all based on years and decades of research, not just old wives’ tales. It still makes me worry though because it’s so hard to try to do everything “right”. I guess the only thing any of us can do is just try our best. All those smiles and giggles from the little one definitely helps make me feel that we’re doing something right.
Miuzing 