| When it comes to parenting, everyone has some | | | | 3. A Fever Should Break on Its Own. Some people |
| advice to give. Make sure your daughter wears a hat | | | | think that a fever should be allowed to break on its |
| or she'll catch cold. Make your son cleans his plate - | | | | own because giving a child a fever-reducing pill will |
| it's good for him. There are an abundance of old | | | | cause the fever to last longer. Fevers can make a |
| wives tails and an endless number of well-intentioned | | | | child feel miserable and a fever-reducing pill won't |
| friends and family members who are all too happy to | | | | make the fever last longer, it will just make your child |
| recite them as fact. Who's right and who's wrong? | | | | feel better. Always check with your doctor if you |
| Worry no more. Five of the most common parenting | | | | have any concerns about giving over-the-counter |
| myths are debunked here. | | | | medication to your child. |
| 1. You Should Make Your Child Eat Everything on Her | | | | 4. Children Should Take Daily Vitamins. Many people |
| Plate. Once upon a time it was common practice to | | | | believe children should take multivitamins. Before |
| make a child eat everything that was put on his or | | | | giving your child a multivitamin, check in with your |
| her plate. Unfortunately, it's really not a healthy habit. | | | | doctor as many of the foods your child eats are |
| Because of the growing incidence of overweight | | | | already fortified with vitamins. If your child is already |
| children and adults, it's important to instill proper | | | | eating a balanced diet, a daily vitamin may not be |
| eating habits at a young age. That means teaching | | | | necessary. |
| your child to stop eating once they feel full - not | | | | 5. Babies Should Be Fed Cereal So They Will Sleep |
| forcing them to eat everything in front of them. | | | | Through the Night. Whether or not your baby sleeps |
| 2. A Runny Nose with Green Mucus Means a Bacterial | | | | through the night may have very little to do with |
| Infection. If your child has a runny nose with green | | | | how full they are. Unfamiliar sounds, discomfort and a |
| mucus, it doesn't necessarily mean an antibiotic is | | | | wet diaper are just as likely to wake a baby up in |
| needed. If the green mucus is present for 5 days or | | | | the wee hours of the morning. The best way to get |
| more, a trip to the doctor may be warranted as an | | | | a baby to sleep through the night is to establish a |
| antibiotic is probably necessary. However, many viral | | | | sleep schedule. Then your baby can grow into the |
| infections can cause green or yellow mucus and | | | | schedule and sleeping through the night will eventually |
| these illnesses just need to go away on their own. | | | | become second nature. |
| An antibiotic won't help a viral infection. | | | | |