Foolish Parenting Advice: The Most Absurd Tips Moms-to-Be Hear

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“I’m pregnant!”

And just like that, the unsolicited advice starts rolling in! Suddenly, everyone—yes, even those without kids—becomes an expert.

One of the most overused (and useless) pieces of advice? “Sleep now! Once the baby arrives, you won’t know what sleep is.”

As if I could bank extra sleep for later!

But that’s just the beginning. Soon, people start telling you how to sit, what to eat, and even how to breathe. And when the baby arrives? Oh, the advice doesn’t stop—it just gets weirder.

The Most Absurd Parenting Tips I Received

Here are some of the most ridiculous things I was told during pregnancy and early motherhood:

“If you eat rice while breastfeeding, your baby will choke.”
I couldn’t help but picture a grain of rice coming out of my nipple.

“No raw meat, soda, or beans—they’ll give your baby colic.”
So, basically, I was supposed to live on air and water?

“Don’t use the oven, don’t sweep, don’t iron.”
Okay, but if someone wants to sweep for me, I won’t argue!

And let’s not forget the classic “Don’t carry the baby too much, or you’ll spoil them” and “Let them cry—it helps their lungs mature.”

Then came the feeding myths: “Put chamomile or cereal in their milk so they sleep better” and “Rub rum on their gums for teething.” Because apparently, a little rum fixes everything.

Oh, and the breastfeeding police: “You don’t have enough milk” or “After a year, your milk isn’t good anymore—just stop already!”

Outdated Parenting Advice Needs to Go

I get that some of this advice worked for past generations, but times change. Just because something was common 20, 30, or 40 years ago doesn’t mean it’s right today.

And the strangest part? Many of these outdated tips didn’t just come from grandmothers—they came from other new moms!

What’s the Worst Parenting Advice You’ve Heard?

I’d love to hear the wildest or most ridiculous advice you’ve received. Drop it in the comments!