[NurseyTonyaLPN]

Another post (about stupid things patients say) made me think about this, I don't know if it's been posted before. But I have an elderly family member who says these things (and will not hear otherwise):

1) Having a baby at 7 months is better than having it at 8 months. My doctor told me something happens in the 8th month and if the process is disturbed it's bad for the baby. (I told her I've learned that every day in the womb is better for the baby, but she insists that's not the case).

2) Her breastmilk turned "to water" when her daughter was 3 months old and it was no longer good for her to breastfeed (I mentioned that babies go through a growth spurt at that time, but she insists, her Dr told her the breastmilk turned to water).
Makes you wonder about these docs back then huh? I know they probably did the best with their knowlege, but some people won't accept any new advice, if their doctor said it in 1940 it must be true huh? Any other favorite wives tales?
Tonya

[beautifulb]

What an interesting topic! I know that I have heard of a few but I really can't remember. One that does stick out, and I don't know if it is an old wive's tale or not, but, eating Chinese food will induce a Mom. Well, I did eat Chinese food the day before I was due (I know, I am grasping at straws) and my water broke later that night. Coincidence or not? Anyways, I had totally forgot about that wive's tale and that night I was quietly craving Chinese food when my husband suggested it and...there you go!

[suebird3]

How about "Cats sucking the breath out of babies"? Yep...that one is still around....I am QUITE sure.

Suebird

[Charity]

I have had more than one parent get visibly upset at the site of their baby in the isolette with a scalp IV. Because we had to shave or cut the child's hair. And everyone knows that if you cut a child's hair before he/she is a year old, the child will be stupid!!

[NurseyTonyaLPN]

Originally Posted by Charity

I have had more than one parent get visibly upset at the site of their baby in the isolette with a scalp IV. Because we had to shave or cut the child's hair. And everyone knows that if you cut a child's hair before he/she is a year old, the child will be stupid!!

Is that how it goes? I've heard many people say you're not supposed to cut a baby's hair before he/she is a year old, but never heard why. I've seen moms with boys who had hair going down their back and into their eyes (at least with girls you can use a barette) b/c they were waiting for them to turn a year old. That's funny!

[Dewgrl]

My favorite is the wet hair tale. I worked in an ER filled with well educated nurses and dr's, and still everytime I walked into work with wet hair from my shower, I would hear the dreaded " You'll catch a cold walking around in this weather with wet hair!" Also used were pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu, etcc.. All this from a little wet hair!

[weetziebat]

I graduated from my LPN program when I was 7 1/2 months pregnant. As a student, whenever I went to hang an I.V. patients would gasp and grab at my hands. "Don't raise your hands above your head when you're pregnant, or the cord will tie around the baby's neck". I heard that so many times it started to make me wonder.

[Princess74]

My mom has always said if you dream about eggs that someone close to you is pregnant. The weird thing is, whenever she did dream of eggs we would find out someone really was pregnant.

[VivaLasViejas]

Originally Posted by Dewgrl

My favorite is the wet hair tale. I worked in an ER filled with well educated nurses and dr's, and still everytime I walked into work with wet hair from my shower, I would hear the dreaded " You'll catch a cold walking around in this weather with wet hair!" Also used were pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu, etcc.. All this from a little wet hair!

You mean you don't catch colds from going out in the cold with wet hair??

Don't let my sons hear that---it's the only way I can keep 'em from taking their showers in the mornings, when I want mine!!

Yes, my family has its share of 'old wives' tales, most of which came from my grandmother (who was a nursing student during World War I). Among them:

1) You'll get sick if you go swimming or take a tub bath during your period.

2) Walking around in wet shoes all day will make you catch cold.

3) Vomiting and diarrhea are just another part of having the flu (actually, a LOT of people still believe this one).

4) Sleeping under an electric blanket saps your energy.

5) You can tell what sex an unborn baby is by holding a wedding ring tied onto a string in front of a pregnant woman's belly and watching which way it moves---side to side if it's a boy, back and forth if it's a girl (or is it the other way around?? ).

[NurseyTonyaLPN]

Originally Posted by Dewgrl

My favorite is the wet hair tale. I worked in an ER filled with well educated nurses and dr's, and still everytime I walked into work with wet hair from my shower, I would hear the dreaded " You'll catch a cold walking around in this weather with wet hair!" Also used were pneumonia, bronchitis, the flu, etcc.. All this from a little wet hair!

Yes, this is one of my pet peeves, along with people saying they'll catch a cold from going outside when it's cold. Isn't this the 21st century? don't we know viruses cause colds?