Honey before a baby’s first birthday, kajal around the eyes, mustard-oil massage, and advice to avoid bathing in cold weather can all come up in family conversations. Some traditions may be harmless or meaningful; others need age-specific precautions. This guide reviews ten common beliefs without judging families. The short answer: check the child’s age, the exact product or practice, and reliable guidance—and seek a clinician’s advice when symptoms or circumstances warrant it.
Evidence is not equally strong for every topic. Several points below reflect established public-health guidance; others rely on studies with limits, and the article says so. This is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice about an individual child.
1. “A little honey is fine for a newborn”
What evidence says: Do not give honey to babies under 12 months, including honey mixed into food or applied to a pacifier. Honey can contain spores that cause infant botulism, a rare but serious illness. The World Health Organization specifically warns caregivers against feeding honey to infants under one year. WHO: Botulism
This recommendation concerns honey itself, not a claim that every traditional food is unsafe. For infants under six months, follow appropriate breastfeeding or formula guidance; from around six months, discuss suitable complementary foods with a health professional if unsure.
2. “Kajal is always safe because it is made for babies”
What evidence says: Product contents vary. Research on traditional eye cosmetics has found that some products—including some sold as kajal, surma, or kohl—can contain lead. A study of 34 surma samples and children using surma reported high lead in many samples and an association between use and higher blood lead levels; it was a limited study and should not be treated as a survey of every product. A later study likewise found variation by product and name. Study of surma and lead exposure and Study of traditional eye cosmetics and lead exposure
There can also be irritation or contamination concerns when products are used near the eye. The cautious choice is to avoid applying kajal inside or near a baby’s eyes, especially if ingredients and manufacturing standards are unclear. Do not assume a product is lead-free based only on its colour, label, or a family recommendation.
3. “Mustard oil massage is best for every newborn”
What evidence says: Gentle touch and massage may be part of a family’s care routine, but the choice of oil matters and evidence is not a universal endorsement of one oil. An observational study of newborns in rural Nepal receiving mustard-oil massage found skin irritation and changes in skin-barrier measures, especially in the first two weeks. A community trial comparing mustard and sunflower oils did not establish a universal benefit of switching oils across all babies. These studies do not prove that every use of mustard oil harms every baby; they do support caution, particularly for premature or low-birth-weight infants. Newborn skin and mustard-oil massage study and Community trial comparing sunflower and mustard oils
If massage is part of your routine, use gentle pressure, avoid broken or irritated skin, and stop if a rash appears. Ask the baby’s clinician before using oil on a premature baby, a baby with a skin condition, or a newborn with a concerning reaction. Avoid putting oil in the nose, ears, or mouth.
4. “Any fever means a serious illness”
What evidence says: Fever is a sign that the body is responding to something; fever alone does not identify the cause or prove that an illness is serious. A child’s overall condition, age, hydration, breathing, and other symptoms matter. However, fever in a very young infant needs prompt medical assessment: guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics advises contacting a clinician immediately for a baby three months or younger with a temperature of 38°C (100.4°F) or higher. AAP guidance: fever in babies
Use a reliable thermometer and tell the clinician the reading and how it was taken. Seek urgent help for difficulty breathing, unusual difficulty waking, a seizure, signs of dehydration, or a child who looks seriously unwell. Do not delay care for a young infant while trying home remedies.
5. “Baby walkers help babies learn to walk”
What evidence says: Wheeled infant walkers give babies mobility before they can control it well, creating risks such as falls and access to hot or hazardous objects. They are not needed to teach walking. A professional summary of pediatric guidance describes injury concerns and reports that available research has not shown a developmental advantage; some studies found later motor milestones among walker users. American Family Physician summary of walker guidance
For movement and practice, provide supervised floor time in a clear, safe area and let the child develop at their own pace. A stationary activity centre is different from a wheeled walker, but still requires age-appropriate supervision and safe setup.
6. “Teething explains a real fever”
What evidence says: Sore gums, chewing, and extra drooling can occur with teething. A small temperature rise may be noticed, but a temperature of 38°C or higher should not simply be blamed on teething. NHS guidance describes a slightly raised temperature below 38°C among possible teething symptoms. NHS: baby teething symptoms
Check for other causes and contact a clinician when the child is unwell, the fever meets age-based advice, or symptoms worry you. This matters especially for babies under three months, for whom a temperature of 38°C or higher requires prompt medical advice.
7. “A baby must not be bathed when it is cold”
What evidence says: The goal is to keep the baby warm and avoid chilling—not to follow one bathing rule for every Indian season or household. WHO recommends delaying the first bath until at least 24 hours after birth; if that is not possible, delay it for at least six hours. Keep the room comfortably warm, use warm water, bathe briefly, dry the baby promptly, and dress appropriately for the room. WHO newborn-care guidance and WHO postnatal-care recommendations
In a cool hill town, monsoon-damp home, or air-conditioned room, adapt the room and timing to the baby’s comfort. In hot weather, avoid overheating. A bath is not necessary every day for every newborn; wipe areas that need cleaning and follow local clinical advice for a baby who is premature or unwell.
8. “Stop feeding when a child is ill”
What evidence says: For many common illnesses, routine withholding of breastmilk or age-appropriate food is not recommended. WHO guidance supports continuing breastfeeding, offering more fluids, and encouraging soft, appealing foods as the child can manage them. Appetite may dip during illness; small, frequent offers can be more realistic than insisting on a full meal. WHO infant and young child feeding guidance
Needs differ with symptoms and age. For diarrhoea, dehydration, repeated vomiting, or a child who cannot drink, follow a clinician’s advice; do not improvise fluid recipes or give medicines without appropriate guidance. Babies under six months generally have specific feeding needs, so check with a health professional if illness affects feeding.
9. “Early academics are better than play”
What evidence says: Young children learn through responsive interaction, exploration, and play—not only through formal lessons or worksheets. UNICEF’s review describes evidence linking learning through play with cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative skills. This does not mean children should never receive structured teaching; it supports a developmentally appropriate balance rather than constant academic pressure. UNICEF: Learning through Play
In an Indian home, sorting clean household objects with an adult, singing a familiar song, pretend cooking with safe toys, or looking at a picture book can turn ordinary time into playful learning. Choose activities appropriate to the child’s age and supervise anything involving small objects.
10. “If a remedy is traditional or natural, it must be safe”
What evidence says: “Natural” does not establish safety, dose, purity, or benefit. A remedy may be harmless in one context and risky in another, particularly for newborns, when ingredients are unknown, or when a remedy is swallowed, applied to eyes or skin, or delays needed medical care. Evaluate the exact ingredient, route, amount, the child’s age, and whether reliable evidence supports its intended use.
Before giving a baby a herbal product, supplement, or home remedy, ask a qualified health professional—especially if the baby is very young, premature, taking medicines, or has symptoms. Do not use a remedy in place of urgent assessment. The sources in this article support specific recommendations; they do not validate every traditional practice or product.
Two everyday examples
Example 1: A grandparent suggests honey for a newborn’s cough. The parents can respectfully explain that honey is not recommended under 12 months because of botulism risk, and ask the baby’s clinician what to do about the cough.
Example 2: A caregiver notices a temperature of 38°C in a four-month-old who is also teething. Rather than assuming the tooth is the cause, the caregiver records the temperature, tells the parent, and follows the family’s clinician-approved plan for seeking advice.
Practical checklist
- Check age-specific guidance before giving food, applying a product, or trying a remedy.
- Never give honey to a child under 12 months.
- Avoid kajal around a baby’s eyes when product safety is uncertain.
- Use gentle touch; stop an oil massage if skin irritation appears.
- Do not rely on a wheeled walker to teach walking.
- Do not dismiss a true fever as teething, particularly in a young infant.
- Keep newborn bathing warm, brief, and suited to the baby’s condition and environment.
- Continue suitable feeding and fluids during illness unless a clinician advises otherwise.
- Choose safe, age-appropriate play and supervise the child.
- Tell every caregiver what to avoid, what symptoms to report, and whom to call.
Exceptions and when this does not apply
General guidance cannot replace an individual care plan. Premature or low-birth-weight infants, babies with skin conditions, children with complex medical needs, and children who are seriously ill may need different advice. Evidence on oil massage, in particular, depends on the oil, the infant population, and the setting; do not interpret a study as a universal instruction to use one product. Cultural practices also vary by family. Assess each practice on its own merits rather than assuming it is safe or harmful because it is traditional.
When to seek professional help
Contact a health professional promptly about a temperature of 38°C or higher in a baby three months or younger. Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, unusual difficulty waking, seizures, signs of dehydration, or a child who appears seriously unwell. Ask for advice if a baby is feeding poorly, has a persistent or worsening rash, or may have been exposed to a product containing lead. If you suspect poisoning or the child has swallowed a potentially harmful product, contact local emergency services or a poison-information service where available; do not wait for symptoms.
Frequently asked questions
Can I give honey to my baby after starting solids?
Not before 12 months. The recommendation applies even if honey is mixed into another food.
Is every kajal product contaminated with lead?
No. Products vary, and research does not show that every product contains lead. Because ingredients and quality can be uncertain and eye use has additional concerns, avoiding kajal around a baby’s eyes is the cautious choice.
Should I stop breastfeeding when my child has a cold?
WHO guidance supports continuing breastfeeding during illness. If your baby cannot feed, has breathing difficulty, or you are worried, seek medical advice.
Does teething cause a temperature of 38°C?
Do not assume so. A true fever may have another cause; use age-specific guidance and contact a clinician when appropriate.
How often should I bathe a newborn in winter?
There is no one schedule for every baby. Keep the baby warm, clean as needed, and follow your health professional’s advice. WHO recommends delaying the first bath for at least 24 hours after birth, or at least six hours when that is not possible.
Do baby walkers help babies walk sooner?
They are not necessary to learn walking and can create injury risks. Supervised floor play gives a baby room to practise movement without a wheeled walker.
Conclusion
Good baby care is not a contest between tradition and science. It is a careful look at what a practice involves, what evidence supports it, the child’s age and health, and whether safer alternatives exist. Share clear instructions with everyone involved in care, and ask a qualified professional when a decision is uncertain. For families coordinating childcare, a written handover can help parents and caregivers follow the same feeding, safety, and contact plan.
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This article is general information for families in India. It is not a medical diagnosis. Follow your paediatrician’s advice for your child.
Sources
- Botulism
- Eye Cosmetic 'Surma': Hidden Threats of Lead Poisoning
- Traditional Eye Cosmetics and Cultural Powders as a Source of Lead Exposure
- Indicators of skin barrier integrity among newborns massaged with mustard oil in rural Nepal
- Impact of topical applications of sunflower seed oil on neonatal mortality and morbidity in rural Nepal: a community-based cluster-randomised trial
- Fever and Your Baby
- Baby teething symptoms
- Baby Walkers: Important Safety Information
- Caring for a newborn
- WHO recommendations on postnatal care of the mother and newborn
- Infant and young child feeding: model chapter for textbooks for medical students and allied health professionals
- Learning through Play: Strengthening Learning through Play in Early Childhood Education Programmes