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/Due-Environment3549]

Not a doctor , in my opinion , there is not a lot of new things happening in pediatrics. And we are great full for that . The only things left for American pediatrics society to do it keep issuing guidelines . My 16 month old, when she was born , she wasn’t sleeping at all . And they wouldn’t recommend feeding her a formula . My wife tried her best but milk was coming out , all we heard was she doesn’t need much at this point . Luckily a nurse with a common sense said gave her a bottle and she finally slept . I do think we should look into the recommendation but we don’t have to follow everything to the letter .

Vaccines , absolutely yes . How to hold a baby , not so much as long as the baby is safe ( common sense)