Collaborative post
From the moment you announce a pregnancy and start to have a growing bump, the other parents around you will have something to say on every topic. From baby names to newborn vaccinations and co-sleeping, there are differing and quite polarising opinions on a whole host of things. This can be something that is especially prevalent on social media, which is made worse by the fact that people feel able to say something so someone that they wouldn’t feel able to say to someone’s face.
Controversial topics are the things that can pit parents against each other, and when some are opinionated about a topic and don’t hold back, can actually cause some problems and upset along the way. At the end of the day, aren’t all parents looking to be the best parents that they can be? Being a parent doesn’t come with a manual, and especially as a first-time parent, you need to find what works for you and find the things that align with your beliefs and the parenting approach that you want to take. What works for one child and parent might not work for another. Parenting is hard, so although you might do things different your friend or sister, supporting each other is really where it comes in. Some of the top controversial topics are:
Baby feeding
The breast versus bottle debate is something that will cause debate, with breastfeeding advocates being sure that ‘breast is best.’ For those who choose to bottle feed, for whatever reason that they choose, they can feel like they’ve failed already, right from day one, especially with someone saying breast is best in their ear. The fact of the matter is that babies need to be fed. Does it matter by what method? When you judge someone over who they feed their baby, then it is very wrong.
Crib bumpers
Crib bumpers is something that is a little controversial still, with varying research on crib bumpers and safety. Some parents don’t want to use them as there is a connection with suffocating the baby in the crib. Others think that by using them, they are keeping their baby safe from getting their foot or arm stuck through the crib gaps. They are still sold in shops, which is where a lot of the controversy comes from. So you should look into this for yourself, and see what other alternatives there are.
Ear piercings
There are some cultures that get babies ears pierced as soon as they leave the hospital, when there are others who will not do this until their child is much, much older, and has consented to having it done. It has been described as a thing of cruelty, but as the parents, it is up to them to decide what is best for their child. What is your opinion of ear piercing in babies, especially for little girls?
Natural births and c-sections
Right from day one, there can be something that impacts how a mother sees themselves, after a lot of comment and opinions from other mothers. If someone has a c-section, for whatever reason, they are often described as being too posh to push, but really, it is a major operation! The recovery is much longer, more painful, and leaves a permanent scar, so is that really too posh? It is definitely not an easy option. Drug-free births are wonderful too! What matters is that the baby gets out safely and no matter how your baby arrives, you shouldn’t judge yourself or others. Giving birth is not a competition.
Weaning
There are some generally considered goal-posts for weaning, with six months being around the usual point for this to happen. However, there are some people that start weaning their baby a little earlier. But even once you have decided when you will do it, there are more choices, such as choosing pureed foods or opting for baby-led weaning. There are pros and cons for both, so having a combination of the two approaches really is best. Toddlers tend to all just want chicken nuggets anyway, so home-made versus store-bought baby puree really shouldn’t even be a debate!
Sleep
All new parents know just how much they need sleep. Sleep deprivation can be used as a method of torture, so it is vital that you choose what works for you. Some people sleep train; some people co-sleep. Do your research and figure out what is going to work best for you as a family and what will suit your lifestyle.
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