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?
The on-call doc told me, after the birth of my 3rd son, that as long as I was breast-feeding, I didn't need to worry about birth control! The ob doc about had heart failure when I told him! I have 5 sons, BTW. :)
My grandma also told me the one about getting worms if you ate raw potatoes. What's that about?
lol my mom used to tell me i would get worms from eating raw potatoes too..... then my gram confessed.. "most families long ago were large, and the cook could never stop peeling potatoes when everyone would snitch some. the potatoes usually were brought up from a fruit cellar and covered with earth and sometimes worms. the cook used to tell everyone they would "get worms" if they ate the raw potatoes before the cook had time to prepare them."
my great grandma swore by vicks vapo rub when she was sick with a bad cold she put it behind her ears, under her nose, and even ate it. needless to say she lived to be 86.
Specializes in med-surg, home health, hospice, LTC.
I think you can still do that with the draino crystals. Bob and Tom (the radio guys) used to have instructions for it on their web page.
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!!! But only use a couple tablespoons of urine and Drano, mix in a glass jar and set outside because of the fumes. I have been telling people about this for years and have NEVER had one be wrong! Ha ha ha (I'm sure its just coincidence though)
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!!!! But only use a couple tablespoons of urine and Drano, mix in a glass jar and set outside because of the fumes. I have been telling people about this for years and have NEVER had one be wrong! Ha ha ha (I'm sure its just coincidence though)
Can you do it at any point during the pregnancy? I'm very curious.
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
Actually I know some women whose milk was mostly water, their kids were not getting full, gaining weight etc. They had to supplement at a very early age, and the kids started growing well. They ran lab tests on the milk to check for fat content, etc.
Talking about the old wives tales, when I was pregnant with my last child I worked in a Psychiatric Daytreatment program (basically adult daycare center) You wouldn't believe how many times I was told by one of the clients (as they were to be called), if I put my hands over my head that I would wrap the cord around the babies neck. If I kept getting upset or frustrated that I would mark my baby (didn't help when she came out with a stork bite on her forehead, then I heard "I told you so".) I had to watch everything I did or I was going to be reprimanded by these little old ladies.
my great grandma swore by vicks vapo rub when she was sick with a bad cold she put it behind her ears, under her nose, and even ate it. needless to say she lived to be 86.
oh, geez, yes, i remember having to be slathered with vicks when i was a kid - even having to swallow some.
the old-timers swear by it! i remember one time one old guy asked for some vicks one nite and i told him we didn't have any - and he said, with the greatest disgust, "what kind of hospital is this?!":chuckle
Okay, I have a question. My boyfriend's Mother is an RN and they're from Bosnia. If it is cold and I don't have on socks and I step on tile, she will make me go stand on the carpet or put on socks. Now, you might think she just doesn't want my feet cold, right? NO, everytime she puts her hands over her lower abdomen and tells me I will have "problems"--reproductively. I have looked everywhere to see how cold feet could somehow "ruin" your reproductive system, but seriously, I have found nothing. Is this just an old wives tale she picked up from Bosnia? haha
I lived for a year in Kazakstan, Central Asian republic, and the babushkas (grandmothers) always had a hissy fit when you would sit on the ground or stone because 'that would interfere with reproduction. Maybe a Eastern European thing?
That a baby must fall off the bed or sofa before yr old.
that a baby must break out in hives or they will not be smart..( I found out hives are those little bumps they get on face and nose at about 6wks)
The newest one is if you play Mozart or Beethoven on C.D all night long for baby they will be super smart.!!!
I can tell you I've treated SEVERAL children (Peds nurse here) for broken bones because their parents shoved them off the bed/couch/chair etc. before they were a year old. I think it's so that they won't have a fatal fall later on in life....but before a year old doesn't count, apparently.
needless to say she lived to be 86.
banditrn
1,249 Posts
The on-call doc told me, after the birth of my 3rd son, that as long as I was breast-feeding, I didn't need to worry about birth control! The ob doc about had heart failure when I told him!
I have 5 sons, BTW. :)
My grandma also told me the one about getting worms if you ate raw potatoes. What's that about?