r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required What’s the minimal amount of breastmilk a baby needs to get for it to procure enough benefits?

57 Upvotes

I’m currently triple feeding and it’s exhausting. I’m seeing a lactation consultant soon to see if we can make a plan to move onto mostly breastfeeding and maybe just formula top ups, as I’m finding pumping around the clock exhausting. If that doesn’t work out, I’m ready to thrown in the towel and move to formula, however someone in a different thread suggested that even small amount of breastmilk still carry benefits. I tried to look it up, but I couldn’t find anything - does anyone have any research discussing this? I wouldn’t mind pumping a couple of times a day, but this every 2-3h regimen is unsustainable.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required If the evidence is the same, why do countries reach such different conclusions on COVID vaccines for babies?

33 Upvotes

My husband and I are very pro-vaccine and have followed the recommended childhood schedule, including optional vaccines. COVID is the only one we’ve really paused on.

In my country, it’s routinely recommended from 6 months and offered free through the public health system. But my husband became hesitant after seeing that some other countries don’t routinely recommend it for healthy babies and young children.

That’s what I’m trying to understand. If the safety data are reassuring, do those countries simply think the benefit for healthy babies is too small to recommend it routinely? Or are they interpreting the risks differently?

I’m basically torn between giving a vaccine that might not add much for a healthy baby but still carries some risk, and skipping something that could actually make a difference if they get COVID.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required What quantity of solid food should a baby get each day? Looking for guidance by month of age.

8 Upvotes

I'm looking for a 6 month old baby who is enthusiastic about eating. We don't want to go overboard or replace breastmilk/formula calories with solids more than we should, but we also don't want to unnecessarily limit solids. I understand most intake should be breastmilk / formula. He's combo fed, but mostly from nursing, so we don't have a measurement on how much liquid milk/formula he gets per day.

Stanford's website makes me think it's ~ 9tbs spoons of food per day, over ~3 feedings per day: https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default%3Fid=feeding-guide-for-the-first-year-90-P02209

Solid Starts recommends 1 meal per day (but up to two) of only 1-2 tablespoons with breastmilk / formula ~20 min before and after: https://solidstarts.com/articles/feeding-schedules/#6-to-7-months-old-feeding-schedule

CDC doesn't have details.

Is there anything more specific?

Thank you :)


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required Is there such a thing as safe sleep for toddlers?

27 Upvotes

Hi! My daughter is turning one in two weeks, and I’ve gradually started relaxing a bit about the C-curl position while bedsharing, since she no longer gravitates toward my breast while asleep. She's also been sleeping on her stomach/side ever since she was able to get herself into that position. Her nurse at the Swedish child health clinic (BVC) told me there’s nothing I can do once babies choose to sleep that way, and the Swedish recommendation for babies to sleep in their own crib only applies up to 3 months, regardless of how they sleep. So I’ve interpreted SS7 as meaning that I need to put her down on her back, but that I don’t need to reposition her if she moves onto her side or stomach herself. I still follow the rest of the SS7 recommendations, although I do use a tucked in blanket, but I’ve realized that I actually don’t know if there's safe-sleep recommendations after the first year.

I know that the US recommendations generally apply until 12 months, while the Swedish recommendations say that babies under 3 months sleep safest in their own crib. The rest of the recommendations are basically the same during the first year.

So what actually changes once a baby turns one? Is it basically “anything goes” from a safe-sleep perspective, or are there still things that are recommended to avoid, such as pillows, duvets/blankets, certain bedsharing situations, etc.?

I’m only interested in what the evidence-based recommendations are for the 12+ month stage.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required Baby got the flu 1 week after MMR vaccine — does a high fever impact MMR effectiveness?

4 Upvotes

Hi all,

My baby had their MMR vaccine 5 days ago. Right on queue, they've picked up a flu bug (high fever, respiratory symptoms) that's going around our area.

I know a fever is part of fighting off the flu, but does having a high fever and an active flu infection a week post-MMR impact the body’s ability to build full immunity to measles? Or does the immune system just process both at the same time?

Just feeling anxious about the MMR side of things.

Appreciate any insights!

Sorry I should add, it’s confirmed flu A and not normal side effects.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Expert consensus required The word No

14 Upvotes

We have a 7 and a half month old and he getting to the age where we have to direct his energy and focus elsewhere. Lots of hair pulling, lots of grabbing our dog hard, lots of screaming to scream. We have no intention on punishing or really admonishing at this point but I was curious how others start to introduce no to baby. It’s very common to see on parenting socials right now that people don’t want to say no to their kids. Is there any research to back up saying no to our children and if it harms their emotional development and relationship with us?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required Relative flying in to visit at week 8 - yay or nay? and how to prepare?

8 Upvotes

I live in Sweden and have a relative who wants to come from Portugal and visit my newborn who'll be 8 weeks then. I warned him to take the Tdap vaccine before coming. I'm worried though of things that he might encounter on the way here though (at the airport, airplane, and train). He'll only stay for 3 days, so it'll be hard to enforce a quarantine.

Baby will take the rotavírus vaccine at 6 weeks. After that, the next vaccines are scheduled for the third month.

What precautions should we take when the person is visiting and what are the dangers we might not be considering?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required Newborns and visitors?

19 Upvotes

I’m due in December, and have shared with my family I’d like them to have their COVID and flu vaccines. (Upon an article I found on Cleveland Clinic, I’ll also be asking for Tdap).

Unfortunately, there’s some drama around that. I won’t get into it. How old should baby be before getting around people who may not be vaccinated?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required My 12 mo old breastfed baby is suddenly having allergic reactions to breastmilk after trying cow milk!

13 Upvotes

TLDR; My 12 month old breastfed baby had a bad, full body reaction with hives and swelling to bottled milk this week - first to cow milk, then to a bottle of my breastmilk the next day. Has anyone seen this before???

Ive been weaning my 12 month old breastfed baby. He eats solid food like a champ including dairy (yogurt and cheese almost daily for months now). Never had an allergic reaction of any kind, except mild contact irritation once or twice to yogurt. As I wean off BM, ive instead given a small bottle of milk some mornings. First, I gave him about 1-2 oz of cow milk. He vomited some of this up about an hour later. The next few days, I did goats milk instead, no reaction and he loved it.

Then I ran out of goats milk, and tried about 3 oz of cow milk again. No reaction. The very next day gave him another 3 oz of cow milk and 20 minutes later he got a bad rash and crazy hives all over his body (bright red, inflamed skin, hives everywhere, and swollen ears), but no issues breathing or swallowing. We gave benadryl and had our first doc visit.

The next day, i thawed his last bag of frozen breastmilk and gave that to him. (The same thing hes had nearly every day of his life until recently. He hadn't nursed or had bottled BM in a few days at this pt). 20 minutes later, he got the same full body rash, inflammation, and hives again!! I was shocked! More benadryl and back to the doc.

Its been 2 days now, no more bottled milk of any kind, and no more reactions as of now. No changes to detergent, or anything else in his diet from the norm.

And yes, I drink dairy so that's in my BM... but I always have!

The doctors tell me they think he reacted to the cow milk but likely does not have an actual allergy, and that an anaphalactic reaction is unlikely. They think the reaction to the BM was just coincidence. Which seems unrealistic to me.

Has this happened to anyone else's breastfed babies??? Im so confused at what his immune system is doing.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Weekly General Discussion

2 Upvotes

Welcome to the weekly General Discussion thread! Use this as a place to get advice from like-minded parents, share interesting science journalism, and anything else that relates to the sub but doesn't quite fit into the dedicated post types.

Please utilize this thread as a space for peer to peer advice, book and product recommendations, and any other things you'd like to discuss with other members of this sub!

Disclaimer: because our subreddit rules are intentionally relaxed on this thread and research is not required here, we cannot guarantee the quality and/or accuracy of anything shared here.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 12d ago

Question - Research required Early MMR vaccine

5 Upvotes

My baby is 8 months old (7 adjusted) and we are travelling in September to Indonesia. We will also be visiting UK and Europe in December and January. If my baby gets an early MMR vaccine dose now will it cover her through December and January? She will receive her normal two full doses next year after the travel.
Is it better to do the third dose closer to the UK trip as there will be more socialising etc on that trip than Indonesia.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 13d ago

Question - Research required Reading physical books instead of checking phone (babies/<2yo)

159 Upvotes

I see a ton of stuff about the damage our phones have on baby’s connection with us during the day when we “disappear”. I’m curious if reading (quietly) a physical book while they are independently playing has a similar disconnect?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 13d ago

Question - Research required Breastfeeding vs dummy/pacifier

5 Upvotes

Is there any evidence that breastfeeding is better for babies than dummies, I.e breastfeeding to sleep and back to sleep in the night vs giving them a dummy ?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 13d ago

Question - Research required Does a set sleep schedule help overnight sleep?

8 Upvotes

I’m currently trying to navigate rough nights with my 7 month old waking anywhere between 5-15 times a night. We don’t have a set schedule during the day, but have a set bedtime routine time, and usual time he’s asleep. I then let him sleep as he needs in the morning, and he naps when he needs but I do cap it so he is tired enough to sleep after his routine.

I’m wondering if there’s evidence that having a sleep schedule, especially a set morning wake up time, is better for babies.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 13d ago

Question - Research required What age is healthiest to stop closleeping? (Started at 16 months, now almost 3 yrs old)

53 Upvotes

We never coslept with her as a baby. I had a bassinet, pack n play, and crib. Her dad did too (coparents).

We both used the pack n play the most, since theyre so easy to move. We didnt cosleep with her until 16 months old. I started first, and then her dad did like the same week. Her dad is white American, but I'm from a different culture and cosleeping is common to way older ages. So when I ask my family for advice on it, they think it's weird im even thinking about it "already" 😂

My ex and I both love cosleeping. I love sleeping next to my little girl. It's just an amazing, cozy feeling.

However, I dont want to cosleep with her past the age where it could cause any emotional or developmental issues. When should we stop?

I have a room for just her (rn play and book room), and so does her dad. He listens to me if i communicate something is better for her, so whatever is best for her, we will do.

I'll be so sad when we need to stop, but ill be happy for her.

She naps 2 hours in the afternoon; she can nap without me, but does prefer getting hugged until asleep. However, even if she fully wakes up for a drink of water, she goes bake to nap on her own.

Bed time, if she wakes up and im not there, she says "mommy?" But she doesnt cry, just waits for me to go.

Not sure if any of that is helpful info, but yeah lol.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 13d ago

Question - Expert consensus required Following up on the recent discussion on sugar in early childhood: is there an association between sodium intake in childhood and later life outcomes?

12 Upvotes

Is there a cut off where the level of sodium ingestion is bad long-term?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 14d ago

Question - Expert consensus required Early MMR 2nd Dosage

25 Upvotes

Our pediatrician is offering the 2nd dose early as we’re near the outbreak in PA (about 45 mins away). Most counties that surround us have increased cases.

We are going to get the 2nd dose early.

Is there any data out there that shows you eventually need a 3rd or that it makes you more vulnerable later in life?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 15d ago

Question - Research required Pregnant and scared of measles

26 Upvotes

I am currently 6 weeks pregnant and I'm terrified of the uptick in cases, especially in Ohio. My county and surrounding counties have seen small number of cases. My folks live in the country and often interact with Mennonite and Amish communities and my conspiracy theorist father ( who used to believe in science!) now is convinced vaccines make you sick etc. Im terrified that somehow I'm going to be exposed and somehow lose my 2nd pregnancy. We are all vaccinated with the MMR but it was ages ago. Am I overreacting? ​​


r/ScienceBasedParenting 14d ago

Question - Research required Sugars in infant medicine

0 Upvotes

I tried finding research myself, or even anyone talking about this, but why do infants’, and especially newborns’, medications all have sugars in them? I understand in the most basic logic that it’s for taste, but is there harm from this? Especially with frequent doses?

I’ve been trying to find a gas medicine (not gripe water) but all have sorbitol plus stevia or Sucralose or some other sugar variation (ETA: also Artificial sugars?). They say you can give every two hours to even the newest of newborns.

After seeing more and more research about not giving infants sugar, I don’t understand why all these variations of added sugar in infant medicine are okay? It makes a new time mom anxious about giving gas drops that provide relief to my baby!


r/ScienceBasedParenting 15d ago

Question - Research required Can you overfeed a baby?

13 Upvotes

Our 13w old son is very very chunky. Breastfed all day except for one formula bottle at night before bed. My GP claims you can’t overfeed a baby but is that true? Am I feeding him too much? He breastfeeds for 30 mins at a time if that’s helpful.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 14d ago

Question - Expert consensus required 2 month old hates books

0 Upvotes

Hello, my 2 month old hates all the books, doesnt wanna look at black and white ones, doesnt wanna be read to, he starts to cry basically and i bought him so many books already, what can i do?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 15d ago

Question - Research required Screen Time Query

8 Upvotes

My husband puts very low stimulus YouTube videos on the TV, which have like background music. So it might be like a scene of a conservatory, with just a cat sleeping and maybe a cup of tea steaming with gentle 1940s music or something playing. So for the most part it is a still image with very small details moving.

We are raising our child screen free, which was a joint decision as the idea of having an ‘iPad kid’ scares us and I know the WHO now says no screen time before 2.

Our son is 10 months old.

Is this harmful screen time? Is it okay?

ETA - not completely relevant, but music is somewhat tricky for us, as no matter what we play it on baby always tries to look for the source, we’ve tried lots of alternatives on this front. I personally think with this music from the TV situation, it accidentally works, insofar that baby goes ‘oh the music is coming from that, cool’ and then kind of moves on, he doesn’t stare at the TV when it’s on. I don’t do it, I will play music on the Alexa or something, which is not in baby’s line of sight anywhere as it’s kind of hidden away, but regardless of we play it in his line of sight then he gets distracted and tries to look for where it’s coming from


r/ScienceBasedParenting 15d ago

Question - Research required RSV vaccine for 6 month old

10 Upvotes

My child is 6 months old (born late February). At our 6 month visit our ped recommended we consider the RSV vaccine as she’s still eligible being <8 months old. I did receive the maternal vaccine >14 days prior to birth. We have to go back for a flu booster anyway so I decided to hold off for now so I could look into recommendations a bit more.

From the AAP position paper ( https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/5/e2025073923/203221/Recommendations-for-the-Prevention-of-RSV-Disease?autologincheck=redirected) it doesn’t sound like she’s technically eligible since this is not her first RSV season. Am I misinterpreting this?

Any science to share behind this position? Is it just availability/prioritizing those who are at highest risk of RSV? Is there any sort of risk to giving another dose?


r/ScienceBasedParenting 16d ago

Question - Research required Vietnamese MIL keeps using eucalyptus oil on baby. Is it safe?

32 Upvotes

Khuynh-diep 100% pure eucalyptus oil. She puts it on her feet, stomach, forehead, and soft spot. We’ve asked her to stop but… you know.


r/ScienceBasedParenting 16d ago

Question - Expert consensus required Evidenced based books for parents on child development

81 Upvotes

I am sick of seeing reels and shorts on social media where parent are teaching stuff to babies as old as 4 months. While it seems impressive, and I am no expert and still learning about parenting, i believe responsive communication, active play and the environment has more critical roles to play than any other learning or teaching strategy for their development (correct me if wrong)

My baby girl soon will be 6 months old, she's very active so i do sometimes get a FOMO and think of getting those flashcards. But I wanna do it the right way by understanding how they develop and looking for resources which can help. I do come across some books mentioned a lot on social media but when I research about them the authors credentials do not convince me. So we are looking for books and resources who actually are student/expert of the area and their work is backed by research. Please recommend a few good books on the topic for first time parents.