by staff writer
If you are a new grandparent, congratulations! It’s fun to start thinking about grandparent names and what the little one will call you. Grandparenting is a precious new phase of life filled with joy, wonder, and a bit of nostalgia. It is incredible to bond with your new little one while you watch your child parent their own child.
But things have changed since your own parenting days, which can present a challenge. It’s tempting to give advice as you do your best to support your child and their family, but we recommend you don’t. Remember how you felt when you were a young parent and received unsolicited advice from older adults that didn’t fit with current pediatric recommendations? So, if you’re a first-time grandparent helping to care for a new baby, try to understand that the rules for keeping babies safe and healthy today may contrast greatly with what you are used to. It’s a good idea to educate yourself about the changes so you know what to expect and defer to the wishes of the parents.
Top Parenting Trends New Grandparents Need to Know
Parenting trends seem to change with each generation. Here are some key things for new grandparents to keep in mind:
Safe Sleep
The biggest change since our parenting days is in how babies sleep.
Back Sleeping
When my children were babies in the 1990s, pediatricians recommended they sleep on their stomachs to reduce the risk of choking on spit-up. Doctors at that time believed that stomach sleeping allowed infants to clear their airways more easily. Today, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Bare Cribs
Cribs should be bare, with no loose blankets, pillows, or toys. Babies no longer have cozy comforters with adorable matching bumpers lining the sides of the crib. These items can create suffocation hazards for infants if they become entangled in loose bedding. In addition, blankets and bumpers can increase the risk of overheating, another factor linked to SIDS. All new parents need these days in the crib is a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
Fixed Sides on Cribs
I loved the crib my boys used as infants and intended to save it for my first grandchild. It has a side rail that moves up to allow me to more easily lift the baby up, which is the style of crib most of us used at that time. However, after dozens of deaths, the Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture, sale, and resale of drop-side cribs in 2010. The newer cribs have adjustable mattress height settings you can change as your child grows.
Tummy Time
Now that babies sleep exclusively on their backs for their first few months, they need supervised tummy time when they are awake. Daily tummy time is important to help strengthen neck, shoulder, and arm muscles which are essential for achieving milestones like rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and walking. This practice also helps prevent flat spots on the back of the baby’s head. Finally, this exercise allows them to explore the world from a different perspective which promotes sensory development.
Bath Time
We bathed our babies more frequently than is recommended today. Experts now recommend two to three baths per week for newborns and infants to protect their delicate skin. Daily baths can strip a baby’s skin of its natural oils, which can lead to dryness and irritation. It’s important, however, to keep the diaper area clean with gentle wipes or a warm washcloth. Parents often increase the frequency of baths as the babies get older and become more active.
Car Seat Safety
Baby-Feeding
The Bottom Line
New grandparents need to let the parents make the rules for their children and accept that things have changed. Common practices considered safe and effective in the past may no longer be recommended. It’s hard to let go of the way we did things and hard not to share our opinions; I get it. But by respecting the parents’ choices and adapting to the changes, you can avoid conflict in the home while building a strong relationship with your grandchild.
FAQs
Below are some commonly asked questions and their answers related to grandparenting and modern parenting trends.
Why have parenting practices changed so much over the years?
Parenting practices evolve as medical research advances and societal norms shift to keep babies safe.
How can new grandparents stay on top of the latest parenting trends?
The best place to start is to talk to your child. Find out their rules and try to understand the reasons behind them. You can also read reputable parenting books and articles and/or attend local grandparenting workshops or classes.
How can grandparents balance their own experiences with modern parenting advice?
It’s important to recognize that parenting practices have evolved and that the way you did things back in the day may not be considered the best way now. Balance your experiences with modern advice by trusting the parents’ decisions and avoid giving advice unless asked.
How can grandparents help their children navigate the challenges of modern parenting?
Most new parents appreciate emotional support and encouragement in addition to practical help such as babysitting, laundry, or running errands.
What sort of practical help should new grandparents offer?
The same things you found helpful as a young parent will likely be similarly appreciated by the new parents now. If you like to cook, bring healthy home-cooked meals to the house during those exhausting first few weeks. Ask if you can change diapers or help with the never-ending laundry that is likely piling up. Enjoy precious cuddles with your grandchild when asked, especially if it means the new parents get a break to take a shower or a quick nap.
Leslie Farin is the Publisher and Founder of 50PlusToday. She is an experienced communications and marketing professional passionate about working with older adults and their families. She works with a team of writers to provide essential and cutting-edge information related to the 50Plus community.
Loved the new grandparents read. I learned a ton !
Thank you!