Everyone appears to have an opinion about what would be best for you and your child when you have a child. Yes, you will start receiving a ton of unsolicited advice the instant you announce your new arrival. But a lot of yesterday's "knowledge" turned out to be false. Read on for 10 outdated pieces of parenting advice.

Babies must be bathed daily

Infants only need a bath every two to three days (unless there has been a massive nappy explosion! ), as they don't get as stinking from sweat as adults do. A daily bath is fine if it's a part of your wind-down regimen; just moisturise afterward.

Infants sleep well in a quiet, dark environment

While some kids genuinely do have trouble falling asleep, most manage just fine with some light and background noise. Also, if your child becomes accustomed to activities while sleeping, they can be more inclined to nap in a variety of circumstances.

Allowing your child to stand or bounce in your lap may eventually lead to bowlegs

It's a myth that your youngster will get bowlegged by standing or bouncing on you. Allowing your child to stand or bounce is enjoyable for them as well as developmentally stimulating because small babies are still learning how to support their weight on their legs and determine their centre of gravity.

Introducing your child to classical music will increase their Intelligence.

Having a newborn listen to music can enhance their lives, but no clear studies have shown that this can significantly improve their brain development.

If You Pick Your Baby up Whenever They're Crying, You'll Spoil Them

Infants under 4 months old have few self-soothing techniques; they can suck to calm down and enjoy being wrapped in a blanket, but that's about it. As babies cry, picking them up teaches them that their parents are always there to care for them.

Babies Should Be Woken up in the Night To Have a Wet Diaper Changed

It's acceptable to leave a baby in a wet diaper overnight because modern diapers are so extremely absorbent. But, you should change your baby's diaper if their poopy diaper seems to be bothering them.

Putting a baby to sleep on their stomach is the safest method

Baby should always sleep on their backs to ensure their safety. In the past, doctors were concerned that newborns who weren't resting on their tummies or sides may choke on any spit-up, but studies eventually connected these positions to a higher risk of SIDS.

Putting Rice Cereal in Your Infant's Bottle Will Help Them Sleep

Do not start food until 4 to 6 months of age. Early solid food introduction has been linked to obesity later in life, and studies have found that solid food-fed newborns actually sleep worse than their formula-fed counterparts. This is according to research.

Babies Need to Poop at Least Once a Day

Parents often think a baby is constipated when they're not, says Andrew Adesman, M.D., chief of developmental and behavioral pediatrics at Schneider Children's Hospital in New York. Newborns often have several bowel movements a day, but they may poop as little as every three to four days at about 2 months to 3 months of age, he says. If bowel movements are very hard and infrequent, or you see blood in the diaper, however, call your pediatrician.

Touching Your Baby's Soft Spot Can Hurt Their Brain

The fontanel, or soft spot, at the front of your baby's head is a skin-covered opening in the skull that pulsates, frightening some parents. "There's a presumption of vulnerability, but the brain is actually quite well protected," says Dr. Adesman. The front fontanel typically closes at about 1 year of age, while the smaller soft spot in the back of the head usually closes at 2 months to 3 months.