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Tuesday, February 11, 2025

Shifting Approaches to Infant Care: Understanding the Changes in Baby Rearing Practices

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In recent years, fathers have become more actively involved in childcare, reflected in the increase of paternity leave from 11 to 25 days. Modern practices emphasize safe sleep for infants, advocating for back sleeping to reduce SIDS risks, and recommend appropriate room temperatures. Breastfeeding rates have risen significantly, and emotional well-being is prioritized in parenting, shifting away from outdated practices like allowing babies to cry. Enhanced safety measures for car travel are also emphasized, advocating for rear-facing seats.

Increased Involvement of Fathers in Childcare

Changing diapers, giving baths, and preparing meals are just some of the tasks that today’s fathers are embracing with enthusiasm as they take a hands-on approach to parenting. The landscape of paternity leave has transformed significantly, now offering 25 days instead of the previous 11, following the reforms enacted in July 2021. According to the Dress, a remarkable two-thirds of eligible fathers opted to utilize the full duration of their paternity leave, typically taking it all at once. Additionally, the past three decades have seen substantial changes in how we approach sleep and nutrition for infants.

Modern Sleep Practices for Infants

As we look ahead to 2025, safe sleep practices for babies continue to evolve. For the past twenty years, the High Authority of Health has been advocating for the practice of placing infants on their backs for sleep, as opposed to their sides or stomachs. This positioning is crucial for ensuring proper breathing and significantly reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), which remains a leading cause of death in children aged between 28 days and one year in France.

To further enhance safety during sleep, the High Authority of Health suggests maintaining room temperatures between 18 and 20°C. It is important to avoid using duvets, blankets, bumper pads, and pillows, opting instead for a sleeping bag that keeps your baby warm without the risk of suffocation. Parents should also ensure their newborn sleeps on a firm mattress and refrain from using head supports or anti-flat head cushions that restrict movement.

Feeding Practices and Emotional Well-being

Feeding practices for infants have also seen a significant shift. Breastfeeding gained momentum starting in the 2000s, with La Leche League France noting a rise from 45.8% in 1995 to 77% of infants being breastfed at birth according to the Epifane survey conducted by Public Health France in 2024. The World Health Organization endorses exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, emphasizing its benefits for a baby’s immune health.

If you prefer bottle feeding, the sterilization of bottles is no longer a requirement according to the ANSM (National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products). Instead, thoroughly cleaning bottles with hot, soapy water is sufficient to minimize the risk of infections.

Emotional well-being and safety have become central to modern parenting practices. Just three decades ago, pediatricians often advised parents to let their babies cry, believing it would help strengthen their lungs. However, this perspective has changed. Sleep specialist Florence Pinon highlights that crying is a form of emotional expression and signifies a baby’s needs, whether it be hunger, discomfort, or the need for a diaper change.

In the past, it was common to place sick children in cold baths to reduce fever, but health authorities now recommend against this practice, advising parents to avoid bathing a child in water that is more than 2°C below their body temperature, as it may lead to discomfort.

When it comes to car travel, safety measures have been prioritized over the years. While using a carrycot for transporting infants in vehicles is not prohibited in France, the national road safety website strongly advocates for the use of rear-facing car seats until a child is at least fifteen months old and reaches a height of 83 cm. Even after reaching these milestones, rear-facing positioning should be maintained for as long as possible in an appropriate seat. Additionally, since 2005, the Isofix system, which adheres to ISO standards for child seat anchoring, has been mandatory for all new car models.

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