8 Things that Have Changed Since your Mom Had a Baby

There were so many things to learn when expecting and having a new baby.  I was so grateful for my mother and mother-in-law and all the help they provided!  What I soon discovered after being given advice and some comments is that things have changed since I was born.  Some rules our parents went by are not common practice any longer.  Here are 8 things that have changed since your mom had a baby.

For the safety of your baby, please do your own research and follow the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines.

1. Maternity fashion- I was working in corporate up until 8 months pregnant.  I loved wearing the body con dresses that hugged the bump with a cute blazer and heels.  Yes, I was that person still wearing heels (granted they were very thick).  Then I find maternity photos of my mother wearing these giant moo-moos.  Oh, how times have changed.  

2. Prenatal exercise – I worked out all throughout my pregnancy.  People thought I was crazy for doing jumping jacks the day before our baby boy was born.  The doctors told me in my first appointment that being physically fit would help in labor and recovery.  Anything to help labor and I am game.  I already had a good fitness routine prior to becoming pregnant.  I was told what exercise to avoid (crunches when the bump got in the way) and given my fitness activity before getting pregnant they said I could continue my current routine (always consult your doctor).  Well, our parents were shocked I was still working out, lifting weights, doing prenatal yoga.  Apparently, I was supposed to be resting.  While I did sleep and eat a lot, I wanted a healthy baby, pregnancy, and labor.  See Transformation: My Postpartum Fitness.

3. No More Baby Powder- The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against using baby powder.  No more powdered buns!

4. We don’t use blankets or pillows- I remember my mom asking “How long do you need to swaddle for?”  “Will he ever get used to his hands if he can never use them?”  I was surprised to learn that back when I was a child I was put into my crib on my stomach and with a blanket.  Now it is “back to sleep” and no loose bedding.  

5. Rooming-In & Skin-to-skin- When our baby boy was born he was immediately placed on me to nurse, skin-to-skin time and his first bath did not occur for at least 1 day.  Then for the whole hospital stay (3 days), I was with my new bundle of joy 24/7.  He only left the room once and when he did, Dad went with him.  Gone are the days of the newborn nursery (except for NICU).  This early bonding + skin-to-skin time with babies has so many benefits for both the baby and the mother.  

6. Baby-led feeding- When we began to introduce solids both sets of parents were shocked that we did not start with purees or rice cereal.  We started with whole (soft) fruits and veggies (i.e. banana, avocado).  Also, I think all the grandparents were shocked that we let our baby feed himself versus spoon-feeding him when we did occasionally use purees.  

7. Paternity leave- My husband got 4 weeks of paid paternity leave from his work.  While we are so grateful for this additional time off he was given, we were surprised it was not longer, given some of our friends and their work policies.  Come to find out our parents were shocked that fathers got any time off at all.  

8. Soft Soled Shoes- Our son is getting the point of almost walking.  We did our research and discovered that the current teachings say that barefoot is best as babies are learning to walk.  If you need to use shoes (going out), soft-soled shoes are best. Mom had us in hard-soled Stride Rites right away.

Were you shocked by things your parents no longer knew or did differently?  Did you get criticized for doing certain things for your baby that is now the new norm?  Please add to my list 8 things that have changed since your mom had a baby in the comments below.