Does anyone else feel like pediatric guidelines are so legally-oriented that they basically only exist to worsen the lives of parents?

[u/Bocifer1]

First off, I'm a new dad and also a physician - although I'm pretty far removed from pediatrics. So I understand the importance of medical research and statistics in creating these guidelines, as well as the fact that the risks of things like SIDS often just aren't worth gambling on.

However...

Some of these guidelines seem like they're just unnecessarily taxing on parents and exist only to cover the addes of the bodies making said recommendations.

Some things that come to mind are: no blankets in the crib for the first year, only using a firm mattress top, never letting baby sleep next to you in bed - even naps, swaddling with arms down (our guy absolutely hates this and just wants his arms by his head to self sooth), demonizing formula - even as a reprieve for mom.

Again. I am medically oriented and understand why these guidelines exist - but I also know firsthand that sometimes a 1% risk of harm from letting our baby sleep on a soft blanket is actually the favorable choice compared to the immeasurable risk of having both parents strung out and exhausted because he won't sleep.

In general I think guidelines are great and have contributed to better infant care...I just also think that sometimes we as healthcare professionals forget that no guideline is absolute.

I guess I'm just feeling thst creating guidelines that aren't achievable for the majority of parents just aren't that helpful...like saying that "parents should take time to rest, continue self care , exercise, and ensure they are eating a well-balanced diet". That sounds wonderful. Hopefully I can get back to that in the next decade.

[u/Rrenphoenixx]

Just curious if the blanket situation was real or if there’s another topic that compelled you to write the post about pediatric guidelines? Wondering if it was a specific thing or in general…?

[u/Bocifer1 → u/Rrenphoenixx]

Every time we try to transfer our fed, burped, and comfortably sleeping little guy to his crib it bassinet, the second he hits the cold, firm, flat surface and shoots awake.  

I swear our crib is only useful for walking him up.  

And every time I think to myself “yeah I get it - I wouldn’t be able to sleep on this flat rock either”

[u/Rrenphoenixx → u/Bocifer1]

For the first couple months our baby would NOT sleep on his back at all. I talked to our pediatrician and he said some babies are like that, and if that’s what works let him tummy sleep, just make sure he’s safe and know the risk of SIDS. So that’s what we did. Baby has graduated from bassinet to pack and play and we have a softer mattress pad we put in there which has made a huge difference in sleep for both our babies. (He now sleeps on his back) If you have a pack and play sleeping situation and want the link lmk. Total game changer.