Most new parents whom you see in the office are trying desperately to do the right thing by their baby. They know all about "Back to Sleep" and "Breast is Best." They eschew pacifiers lest their infant suffer "nipple confusion." Many are into "attachment parenting" and bed sharing. They haven't had a good night's sleep since Baby was born but accept sleep deprivation as the price of conscientious parenting. They wouldn't dream of trying to toilet-train their baby before 2 or 3 years of age for fear of causing psychological trauma.
But just when they think they have the routine down pat, the old shibboleths are challenged. For instance:
