by S D Rios

Created on: March 28, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2007

With so many resources available to parents these days, it can be difficult to identify the most reliable and trustworthy resources. Here are a few to consider:

1. The most reliable resource for any parent is their pediatrician. Parenting fads come and go, but the pediatrician has the most up-to-date insights into health standards, vaccinations, illnesses, sleep problems, and other baby issues. Always keep your regular appointments during the first two years of the infant's life where important measures such as weight gain, growth, hearing, vision, vaccinations, and more are closely monitored.

Here are some websites that offer advice from pediatricians during those nights when you feel like you need some guidance: http://www.aap.org/ (American Academy of Pediatrics), http://www.askdrsears.com/ (Dr. Sears' website), http://pediatrics.about.com/ (Dr. Vincent Iannelli's "about" website), http://www.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename= par_parents, and http://children.webmd.com/default.htm (webmd's children's health site).

2. On the same note, be very wary of the information you find on private websites on the internet. Many such sites have a hidden agenda promoting or disputing a certain cause (vaccinations, for example) and you will find yourself reading supposed "studies" that may or may not be authentic or accurately interpreted. Again, the pediatrician and official academy and medical websites from national organizations are the most reliable. Everything else should be taken with a grain of salt until verified with the pediatrician.

3. Public health and education resources: Your city will have a large number of resources available for new parents. From parenting classes at the local hospital to free health insurance for infants and children who would otherwise not have it (in U.S.), there are many, many resources available to you and your baby. Your public library will have beginning literacy programs beginning at six months of age and it's free!

4. I leave family and friends for last, because, although they can be a tremendous source of information, we all know that times change and parenting practices change. Everyone has heard their parents' stories of driving the family cross-country with no car seat, of putting infants to bed on their stomachs, and of adding pureed food to the newborn's bottle to help them sleep better. These are no longer accepted practices. They have proven dangerous to the infant's health, although we all survived. Grandparents sometimes get defensive when you point this out and will continue to provide tips that are not necessarily accepted as healthy for the infant today. So listen and then do your own research, asking your pediatrician or the nurse on call at their office when in doubt.

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