New parents are always inundated with advice “” some welcome, some not.
Most of the time, these so called “pearls of wisdom” have been passed down from your mother, or mother-in-law who never seem to have a shortage of parenting advice particular really bad advice.
That’s not to say that our mothers or grandmothers don’t have plenty of great advice to offer “” they do! But sometimes their advice can be outdated, wrong, or even downright dangerous.
An article in the dailymail.com.uk this month, described how propping a toddler on your lap while driving in a convertible was perfectly acceptable, and how drinking beer helped with milk production.
Oh, how times have changed.
In this retro article, we look back on some of the most hilarious and dodgy parenting advice given to mothers “back in the day” “” just for a giggle.
1. Looking at beautiful things makes a beautiful child.
Yep, pregnant mums were advised to look through magazines at pictures of models to ensure their child would be born beautiful”¦ genes had nothing to do with it apparently!
2. Don’t lift your arms, or it’ll wrap the cord around the baby’s neck.
Ah, this one made me laugh out loud. I am not sure who came up with this, but they obviously had no clue about the human anatomy.
3. Don’t sit in the sun or the baby will over heat.
…because unborn babies can cook inside their mother, didn’t you know? This one actually scared a lot of mothers into believing their child was cooking inside them, rather than their body regulating temperature.
4. Smoking might help keep you regular.
A 1962 book “Pregnancy and Birth: A Book for Expectant Moms” tells pregnant women to take an “unhurried visit to the bathroom at the same hour each day: Smoking a cigarette while on such an excursion might help. Need I say more?
5. Drinking alcohol is good for you.
“Pregnancy and Birth” also states, “There is no logical reason to prohibit the moderate use of alcohol during pregnancy to the patient who enjoys and tolerates it.”
This one is obviously out the window for most mothers these days “” thank goodness!
6. Just add a little rice cereal in her bottle to help her sleep through the night.
This was thought to keep the baby fuller for longer, although it was later proven to only cause tummy issues.