Myth!
Natural sunlight doesn't treat jaundice, and it can make your baby overheat. The doctor checks the bilirubin level and decides about phototherapy.
True or myth?
53 things moms keep hearing from family, friends and the internet. Tap a card to see what the evidence says, then read the full answer.
Myth!
Left or right is equally safe. What matters is that after 28 weeks you go to sleep on your side, not on your back.
Half true!
The real risks are raw crab and fermented ingredients. The papaya latex worry comes from animal studies, with no clear research in humans yet.
Myth!
You can, but keep total caffeine under 200 mg a day, and count Thai tea and green tea too. In practice that's no more than 1 cup a day.
Half true!
WHO only recommends keeping it clean and dry. If your hospital taught you to use alcohol it isn't harmful, it may just fall off a little later.
Myth!
A fever of 38°C or more at this age needs a doctor right away, even if your baby still feeds well. Don't give fever medicine yourself first.
Myth!
Colic happens in healthy babies and isn't caused by anything mom did. Most babies get better on their own by around 3 to 4 months.
Myth!
฿1.8 million is the VAT line. If your yearly income is over ฿60,000 (single), you must file, even if you end up paying nothing.
Myth!
There's no evidence cold water or ice makes your baby bigger or labor harder. Go ahead, just skip ice that might not be clean.
Myth!
Twins are decided at conception, not by anything you eat while pregnant. Bananas are totally fine to eat.
Myth!
Go as soon as you know you're pregnant, and no later than 12 weeks. A lot of the checks work best when they're done early.
Myth!
You can't tell your baby's sex from morning sickness. Moms carrying boys can get it bad too, and some moms carrying girls barely feel sick at all.
Myth!
Your baby should keep moving right up to labor. Kicks may turn into rolls and squirms, but they shouldn't slow down. If they do, go to the hospital, even at night.
Myth!
The NHS says paracetamol is usually the best painkiller in pregnancy. Follow the label or what your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Ibuprofen is the one not to take on your own.
True!
They really can. But don't stop them on your own. Tell your doctor or pharmacist so they can adjust things, and add fiber, water and daily movement meanwhile.
True!
Very common, especially in the first 3 months. But if you feel sad or anxious most of the day for more than 2 weeks, tell your prenatal doctor.
Half true!
Usually, yes. But if your palms and soles itch a lot, it's worse at night and there's no rash, call your hospital that same day. It could be a liver condition called ICP.
Half true!
Puffy ankles in the evening are common in the third trimester and usually harmless. But sudden swelling in your face or hands, or a headache or blurry vision with it, means go get your blood pressure checked right away.
Half true!
Mild, on-and-off cramps that ease with rest usually come from your growing uterus. But pain on one side, bleeding, shoulder pain or feeling faint means go to the hospital now.
Myth!
Most carriers are healthy and have no idea. As many as 18 to 24 million Thais carry it. A blood test is the only way to know, and you both need one.
Half true!
If you're already pregnant, start today. But it's best to start before, because your baby's neural tube forms in the first few weeks, often before you even know.
Half true!
Money matters, but there's no one magic number. Besides savings, look at the benefits you're entitled to, the income dip during leave and your baby's monthly costs.
True!
That's right, Section 40 doesn't cover childbirth. But if your spouse is under Section 33 or 39 and has paid in enough months, they may be able to claim instead.
Myth!
Don't stop prescribed meds on your own. Some conditions get more dangerous if they flare up. Talk to your doctor first, they may switch you to something safer for pregnancy.
Myth!
Babies get all the water they need from breast milk or formula. WHO recommends breast milk only for the first 6 months. If you're worried about the heat, just feed more often.
Myth!
A baby who latches well gets out more milk than your hand or a pump can. Check diapers instead. From day 5 you want at least 6 heavy wet ones a day.
Myth!
Powder isn't needed, and the AAP says to avoid talc-based powder because it puffs up into your baby's nose and lungs easily. Patting the skin folds dry is enough.
Myth!
Always put your baby to sleep on their back, for naps and at night. The AAP says back-sleeping babies have a much lower risk of sudden death than tummy or side sleepers.
True!
Yes, within 15 days of the birth, at the registration office where your baby was born. You can still register late, but there's a fine of up to ฿1,000.
True!
True. At this age babies see clearly at about 20 to 30 cm. Faces are their favorite thing to look at, followed by black-and-white or high-contrast patterns.
True!
The AAP says yes, from day one, but only while your baby is awake and an adult is watching the whole time. Start with 3 to 5 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day.
Half true!
A bit of tugging or a sharp twinge as your baby latches on can happen early on, but it shouldn't hurt the whole feed. Lots of pain or cracked nipples usually mean a shallow latch, so get a lactation nurse to take a look.
True!
Yes, from around 6 months. Chop it fine, blanch it so it's less sticky and skip the sauce packet. Watch for soy allergy and choking, and always have your baby sit up with an adult nearby.
Myth!
Wait until 6 months. Thailand's Department of Health warns that starting earlier risks bloating, constipation, food allergies and a bowel blockage that can be life-threatening.
Myth!
It's normal development. Their sleep is shifting to a more adult-like pattern with more light sleep, so they wake more easily. It usually settles within days to a few weeks.
Myth!
No honey before age 1, not even on a pacifier or mixed into food. It can carry bacteria that cause infant botulism.
Myth!
Not yet. The CDC's 1-year checklist only looks for pulling up to stand and cruising along furniture. For a lot of kids, walking on their own comes after that.
Half true!
At 6 months most babies sit while leaning on their hands. Sitting with no hands usually comes around 6 to 8 months. If several milestones are missing, mention it at the checkup.
Half true!
A mild cold with no fever is usually fine. A high fever or a sudden illness usually means the doctor will postpone. Tell the nurse how your baby is doing every time and let the doctor decide.
Myth!
Too much milk fills them up so they eat less food, get less iron from meals and get constipated more easily. For 1 to 2 year olds, about 2 glasses of plain milk a day is plenty.
Myth!
Growth slows after the first year, so appetite drops too. If your child is cheerful, has energy to play and is tracking their growth curve, they're getting enough.
Myth!
They miss out on learning to sit and eat, never learn their own hunger and fullness cues, and can choke while running. Sit them in a chair at the family table instead.
Half true!
Lots of screen time means less real back-and-forth with people, which is how kids learn to talk. But don't assume screens are the only reason. Have a doctor check for other causes too.
True!
Most kids get better in 7 to 10 days. But a high fever, drowsiness, seizures or jerky startles, lots of vomiting, fast breathing or barely eating or drinking means go to the hospital right away.
Half true!
Skip them under age 1. From 1 to 3, just a tiny taste once in a while since they're very salty. Cut sausage into thin strips, never round coins, because those can choke.
Myth!
Without a certification seal it might just be a product name or marketing. Some bottles have only a couple of organic ingredients. Look for seals like COSMOS ORGANIC or USDA Organic and check the ingredient order on the back.
True!
Yes. Section 41 says maternity leave includes days off for prenatal checkups. Every checkup day you use comes out of the time you get after the birth.
True!
Your schedule, your sense of self and your friendships all change at once, so you can feel lonely even with people around. But if you feel sad or joyless most days for over 2 weeks, talk to a doctor or call 1323.
Myth!
Under 3, skip hard candy, gum, jelly candy, popcorn, whole nuts and tiny candies because they're choking risks. Check everything in the basket before your little one gets it.
Myth!
Selling online means registering within 30 days of your first sale, at your district office or local municipality. The fee is ฿50, and skipping it can get you fined.
Half true!
Not always. SME companies get the first ฿300,000 of profit tax-free, but you pay for bookkeeping and an audit every year. A shop with small profits can end up paying more overall.
True!
Yes. You file a P.P.30 by the 15th of the following month, even if you sold nothing, with 8 extra days if you file online. You also keep purchase and sales tax reports.
Myth!
You can use it as your shop logo, but you can't register it. Canva says template rights aren't exclusive to you. If you want a trademark, build your own from basic letters and shapes.
