Bad Parenting Advice

http://lifestyle.msn.com/your-life/family-parenting/article.aspx?cp-documentid=18086285

Moms-to-be are often bombarded with unsolicited parenting advice. Some may turn out to be helpful, but some is just crazy. Here is some wacky advice moms and moms-to-be have been given:

One woman was told to smack her daughter's gums with a spoon to tell if she is teething. This is not recommended as it is painful for the baby and just not necessary. Raw gums, constant crankiness, and more-than-usual drooling are tell-tale signs that baby has begun teething.

Another mom was told not to worry about a car seat, the baby can just sit on your lap. This is not advisable, or legal. Babies should never ride anywhere without being properly secured in a car seat. Be sure to have yours inspected and set up before your due date.

Another pearl of wisdom given to a new mom is that it is ok to let baby play with ice cubes. The logic here was that they will melt, so the baby won't choke on them. This is not true. As a general rule, baby should never be able to grab anything that's small enough to fit through a toilet paper roll. Ice cubes are a choking hazard unless they are given to baby in a mesh feeder.