From honey to forceful massages: Newborn habits doctors urge Indian parents to rethink

Paediatric specialists warn that popular home remedies including honey, gripe water and vigorous oil massages may expose newborns to avoidable risks.

Television actor Nakuul Mehta has drawn attention to a set of long-standing newborn care habits that many Indian families still treat as harmless, but which paediatric specialists say can carry real risks. Speaking with paediatrician Sonal Saste on his podcast, theindianparentpod, Mehta said, “We are going to talk about some ‘dadi ke nuske’ which parents must stop immediately.” Saste then pointed to practices such as giving honey to babies, using gripe water for colic and carrying out forceful oil massages, all of which continue to circulate as home remedies despite limited or conflicting medical support.

One of the clearest warnings concerns honey. According to Cleveland Clinic and Merck Manual, honey can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum, which can colonise an infant’s immature gut and cause infant botulism, a rare but potentially life-threatening illness. Typical warning signs include constipation, weak feeding, a feeble cry, muscle weakness and trouble breathing. Doctors advise that babies under 12 months should not be given honey in any form, whether on its own or mixed into milk, water or other foods.

Gripe water is another remedy that remains popular with parents, particularly for gas, colic and general fussiness, but its value has not been firmly established. Healthline notes that formulations vary widely from one brand to another and may include herbs, sweeteners, sodium bicarbonate or other ingredients that are unnecessary for young babies and may trigger side effects or allergies. Dr Meena J., a senior consultant in paediatrics and neonatology at Aakash Healthcare, said there is not much scientific evidence that gripe water helps with colic or gas, and urged parents to speak to a paediatrician before using it. She also noted that crying in newborns is not always caused by digestive discomfort and can reflect hunger, tiredness or simple unease.

The same caution applies to oil-based traditions that involve rough handling. Dr Meena said vigorous massage can injure a baby’s delicate skin and soft tissues, while placing oil in the ears or nose is unnecessary and may irritate the infant or create a risk if oil reaches the airway. If families want to massage a newborn, she recommended light, gentle strokes and stopping immediately if the baby seems distressed. She also advised parents to use products intended for newborns and to seek medical guidance if the child has sensitive skin, a rash or another skin concern.

Bathing routines matter too. Dr Meena said a medically stable newborn should ideally wait at least 24 hours before the first bath, because delaying it can help prevent heat loss and support the baby’s transition after delivery. Newborns do not need daily full baths; instead, parents can clean the face, neck, hands and nappy area between baths. She recommended lukewarm water, careful support for the head and neck, mild cleansing products if needed, no harsh scrubbing and constant supervision, because a baby should never be left alone near water.