5 Parenting Myths and Why They're Not True

Parenting advice is often a maze of well-meaning suggestions, opinions, and myths. Myths can cause unnecessary guilt and confusion for parents, especially when they feel pressured to follow unproven or outdated ideas. Let’s take a closer look at five big parenting myths and why they’re simply not true.

1. Myth: Vaccines Cause Autism

This myth has been circulating since the 1990s when a now-discredited study falsely linked the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to autism. Since then, numerous rigorous studies have disproven this claim, but the myth persists.

🔎 The Truth: There is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism. Multiple studies, including one large-scale analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine, showed no connection between the MMR vaccine and autism. Vaccines are a safe, effective way to prevent life-threatening diseases, and refusing them can put children and others in the community at risk.

2. Myth: Co-Sleeping Isn’t Good for Babies

Many parents are told that co-sleeping is not good for their baby. But co-sleeping can often mean different types of sleeping practices to different people—like bed-sharing and room-sharing. Bed-sharing is when an infant and caregiver sleep in the same bed, while room-sharing is when an infant sleeps in a different bed but in the same room as their caregiver. 

🔎 The Truth: When done safely, room-sharing can actually be beneficial for both parents and babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), sharing a room but not the same bed with your baby for the first six months can reduce the risk of SIDS. The key is to practice safe co-sleeping—keeping the baby’s bed free of soft bedding, pillows, and other potential hazards.

3. Myth: You Can Spoil a Baby by Picking Them Up Too Much

One of the biggest myths in parenting is that babies will become spoiled if they’re picked up every time they cry. This often leads to the advice that parents should let their babies "cry it out" or wait to attend to their needs so they learn to self-soothe.

🔎 The Truth: Babies don’t have the cognitive ability to manipulate their parents. When they cry, they are simply communicating a need—whether it’s hunger, discomfort, or the need for love. According to Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block, responding to a baby’s cries in the early months actually helps them feel secure and develop trust. Early responsiveness and attentive parenting fosters a child’s ability to regulate emotions and develop strong, healthy attachment patterns. 

4. Myth: Gentle Parenting Means No Discipline

Gentle parenting often gets a bad rap for being permissive or lacking structure. Critics argue that without harsh discipline or consequences, children will grow up undisciplined or spoiled. Many parents feel pressure to adopt a more authoritarian or strict approach to ensure their kids respect boundaries.

🔎 The Truth: Gentle parenting doesn’t mean no discipline—it means discipline with empathy, patience, and respect. The core principle is to guide children toward understanding the consequences of their actions rather than using punishment to enforce behavior. Experts like Dr. Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, authors of The Whole-Brain Child, advocate for discipline strategies that are rooted in understanding a child’s emotional and neurological development. Discipline in gentle parenting involves setting clear boundaries, using positive reinforcement, and encouraging kids to understand their emotions and behavior.

5. Myth: Tough Love and Over-Scheduling Lead to Success

Many parents believe that the key to a child’s success lies in pushing them hard, enforcing strict boundaries, and enrolling them in as many activities as possible. This belief is rooted in the idea that success and achievement come from a rigorous, no-nonsense approach to parenting.

🔎 The Truth: In reality, over-scheduling children can lead to stress and burnout. The American Psychological Association highlights that kids today are experiencing a lot of stress from many things like academic pressure and extracurricular demands. Unstructured playtime, downtime, and nurturing relationships are just as important in helping them manage stress. Children thrive when they have time to explore their interests at their own pace and when they are given opportunities to connect with others in low-pressure environments.

Parenting myths can create stress and confusion for parents trying to do their best. By questioning and debunking these common myths, you can focus on what truly matters: providing a nurturing, responsive, and supportive environment for your kiddos. Trust your instincts, seek out evidence-based information from reputable sources—like Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO)—and remember that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to raising healthy, happy kids!