I wonder how many of us moms out there have been given absolutely terrible advice from people... Sure, we've all been given advice that we never asked for (see our "Why Are You Not Shutting Up?" post here http://bittersweetmommies.blogspot.ca/2015/08/why-are-you-not-shutting-up.html), but I'm talking more along the lines of little tidbits that you now realize with some mothering under your belt are absolute crap.

Here's some snippets of advice and pearls of wisdom that I've been given over the last three years that were WAY short of the mark:

• All newborns do is eat and sleep, so there's nothing to it
• You'll actually sleep better once the baby is born, since you'll no longer be uncomfortably pregnant
• Carry damp cotton balls in a Ziploc in your purse to put on your bleeding nipples between feedings - and whatever you do, DO NOT feed your child formula
• Babies who are formula fed do not form a strong bond with their mothers
• Most babies sleep through the night by the time they're three months old
• You should sleep train your baby at four weeks old, otherwise he or she is destined for a lifetime of sleep issues
• Once you introduce your baby to cereal, he or she will sleep through the night
• Children with no siblings become selfish and self-involved
• Having only one child is not fair
• You should try to lose the baby weight by the time the baby is three months old
• Your body will be ready for sex again with your partner in six weeks
• Children who don't play with Baby Einstein toys will become morons

  Oh dear, delayed development for sure

• If you expose your infant to TV, he or she will develop ADHD and a learning disability
• Uncircumcised penises are dirty
• Circumcision is unnatural
• An unbaptised baby is a heretic
• Toddlers sleep through the night for at least twelve hours straight
• Toddlers who play independently feel neglected
• An only child will become an outcast
• Children who attend daycare are desperate for their parents' attention and act out more
• Children who stay home and don't attend daycare are not stimulated enough and are often behind in school
• Girls should be potty trained by two years old, and boys should be by two and a half
• Children who don't eat organic will develop all manner of different diseases
• Having children will bring you and your partner closer

There's so many more that I've heard, but I seriously can't remember them right now.  M didn't have his usual nap today, so I'm pretty out of it.  Must be because I didn't sleep train him...