Pediatricians reveal dangerous myths that parents should not believe!

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A few checkups a year? “No need, my child looks great.”

A developmental therapy? “What are these things, children grow up on their own.”

A stomach ache? “It will pass in a little while.”

They may seem like harmless comments, but according to pediatricians, these "lies" that parents tell themselves every day are harming children's health and development.

Below are some of the most common myths that pediatricians want parents to dispel as soon as possible:

1. "The child is fine, no annual checkup needed."

“Even if the child appears healthy, annual checkups are essential. I know of a case where a 15-year-old girl had not had a visit for 5 years and was diagnosed with a severe form of scoliosis, too late. Delayed diagnosis also means delayed treatment.”

2. “If you don't behave, I'll take you to do needlework!”

"So many parents scare their children with needles and vaccines. This creates intense anxiety about doctors, which continues later. The parent needs to be strong for the child, not spread more panic."

3. “If the child is in therapy, it means that there is something ‘not right.’”

“Therapies like speech therapy, physical therapy, or occupational therapy are not a sign of weakness. They are an investment in helping your child develop properly in school, society, and life. And don't forget: FIGHT for your child. If you feel something is wrong, seek help without shame.”

4. "The first child started walking at 12 months, the second at 18. No problem."

"Children develop at different rates and this is normal. But if you feel that something is wrong, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor."

5. “Behavioral problems = autism.”

“Not always. Problematic behaviors can be the result of lack of communication, poor parenting, or other disorders. Don't self-diagnose, seek help from specialized professionals.”

6. “My child doesn't need vitamin K.”

“A very dangerous mistake. Vitamin K prevents bleeding in the brain in newborns. Without it, their livers don't produce enough clotting factors. Cases are rare, but when they do occur, the damage is permanent.”

7. “The child learns from YouTube.”

“No. The child learns from IT. Read to him. Play with him. Take him outside. Technology does not replace interaction and is extremely dangerous for language and literacy development.”

8. “What's wrong with talking to my child like a 'baby'?”

“Children learn to speak from the way we speak to them. Use normal, rich language, not meaningless babbling. You will help their communication development.”

9. “They’re just baby teeth.”

“No! Oral health is body health. Teach your child to brush and floss their teeth. Bacteria from the mouth can spread throughout the body.”

10. “I didn't give him anything about the temperature so you could see for yourself how hot it is.”

“I have 25+ years of experience. Don't bring your child in with a fever just to 'convince' us. Give paracetamol or ibuprofen early. The sooner you treat the symptoms, the better for the child.”

11. “The baby drinks a lot of milk; that’s a good thing, right?”

"Not necessarily. Too much milk (cow's or plant-based) can lead to severe iron deficiency anemia. I have seen cases of very low hemoglobin levels (2–4 g/dL) in children. They looked 'normal', but were actually at great risk."

In such cases, blood transfusion or emergency iron treatment is needed. For reference, a 1-year-old child should not drink more than 700 ml of milk per day, unless it is breast milk or formula.”

^{Source: HuffPost}