Mother knows best. (But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have a few questions from time to time!) Luckily, pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altmann (she/her), MD, FAAP is here with all the answers for any new moms, mamas to be, or veteran mommies.

And for those soon-to-be mothers who feel like they have no idea what they’re doing, Dr. Altmann says: “Some days will be easier than others, and that’s ok. It’s all part of learning and loving. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if something isn’t going right or seems stressful or frustrating. There are many resources available such as newborn care experts, lactation or sleep consultants, therapists, friends, family, and of course, your pediatrician. We are here for you if you have any questions or concerns, even in the middle of the night!”

Phew! That’s great to hear. Now, let’s get into those parenting myths.

T or F: Holding a newborn baby too much spoils them.
You can’t spoil a newborn by holding them too much. Babies rely on their parents for love, caring, feeding, changing, and warmth. Enjoy the first few months with your newborn and hold them as much as you or they desire. As they get older (around 3 or 4 months of age), is when to begin letting them learn to soothe themselves, while still comforting them when needed.

T or F: Babies only cry when they really need something.
False. Babies cry—it’s their way of communicating. They may be hungry, gassy, wet, cold, hungry, or just want to be held. If you’ve checked to make sure none of this is going on and they are still crying inconsolably, your baby has a high-pitched or unusual cry, or other signs of illness/not being well, call your pediatrician.

T or F: Infants need to be bathed everyday.
Nope! Initially, it’s best to sponge-bathe your newborn, keeping the umbilical cord stump dry until it falls off and heals into a cute belly button. Then, you can give your baby a tub bath. Babies don’t need a bath every day, unless they get dirty, like with spit up all over or an exploding diaper. Otherwise, a couple times a week should suffice. Make sure you check the water temp, have all needed supplies within arm’s reach, and use a mild, unscented, hypoallergenic baby wash to clean your infant from the neck down, leaving the face and hair until the very end. After rinsing, wrap your little one up in a fun hooded towel, apply a moisturizer made especially for babies, and you’re done!

T or F: Fevers are normal when babies begin to teeth.
False again. Although parents often report babies feel warm or have a slightly elevated temperature when they are teething, a true fever (100.4˚F or higher) is usually caused by an infection. If you have a baby younger than 2 months of age, or an older infant who has a fever for more than 3 days, isn’t feeding well, is in pain, not keeping fluids down, has rapid breathing or acting sick, see your pediatrician ASAP. Since acetaminophen can be given at an appropriate dose for pain or fever, it can be used for teething pain in addition to a fever. Gnawing on a cool compress, teething ring, or piece of cold melon cube in a mesh net feeder, can also help decrease discomfort from teething.

T or F: Newborn babies need to have a routine from the start.
True. Most babies do well initially with structure. A feeding schedule can help make sure they are getting enough calories at a regular interval, usually every 2-3 hours, approximately 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. That said, it’s important not to ignore your baby’s cues and feed them on demand when they show signs of hunger, even if it isn’t yet time. As they get older, some babies do better with demand feeds, which end up creating a looser schedule, to still ensure they get enough calories and nutrition every day. Hunger cues to look out for are rooting (turning their head and opening their mouth in search of breast or bottle) or starting to get fussy.

T or F: Babies who hit developmental milestones early on are gifted.
Not necessarily. There’s a range when it comes to how babies grow and develop. They may hit 1 milestone early, and others a little later. Your pediatrician will follow your baby’s growth and development at each well-child visit and let you know what to expect next.

And lastly, do babies actually prefer warm milk?
When bottle feeding, babies do tend to prefer warm milk, similar to the body temperature of natural breast milk. I suggest using a self-warming baby bottle like this one because it warms milk to the precise temp with the push of a button, making feeding time easier and more comfortable for the baby.