PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
As parenting advice increasingly shifts from family elders to paediatricians and social media influencers, many young mothers are re-evaluating the traditional childcare practices that were once considered essential.
From applying Kajal in a baby’s eyes to massaging infants with mustard oil and introducing cow’s milk at an early age, several traditional practices are facing scrutiny from a generation of parents that relies heavily on medical guidance and online information.
For many mothers, platforms such as Instagram have become a source of parenting education, helping them get expert recommendations on infant nutrition, sleep routines and developmental milestones.
Priya Sharma, a 31-year-old mother of a six-month-old baby, said that while she respects the experience of older caregivers, she also wants to ensure that her child receives care backed by science. “Discussions around age-old practices such as Kajal application, oil massages and the introduction of certain foods often turn into debates within families,” she added.
However, caregivers, who have spent decades raising children, believe that the traditional practices should not be dismissed outright. Manpreet, a nanny with more than 20 years of childcare experience, said that many of the childcare methods have been passed down through generations. “This is because people believed they benefited children. Today’s parents, however, often question traditional practices, which often generates misunderstandings between generations,” she added.
Paediatrician Dr Anjali Mehta said that parents should evaluate each practice individually rather than accept or reject traditions completely. She explained that while some traditional practices may be harmless, others require caution and should be assessed according to current medical guidelines. “Recommendations such as avoiding salt and sugar in an infant’s diet and not introducing cow’s milk as a primary drink until after 12 months of age are based on scientific evidence,” she affirmed. Sharing more, she said that the goal should be to strike a balance between tradition-based practices and evidence-based healthcare.
The ongoing debate reflects a broader generational shift in parenting, with young parents increasingly weighing traditional advice against modern medical recommendations while making decisions for their children.
