New parents are crumbling under the weight of conflicting advice from experts, in-laws and mothers’ groups.

Grandparents, other parents and a stream of parenting books are offering confusing and often conflicting advice on everything from sleep to toilet training.

Parenting commentators say clashing advice can lead to family feuding and marriage tension…

Practical Parenting editor Lynne Cossar said the barrage of advice was a minefield for new parents…

Parenting author Kaz Cooke said the greatest potential for friction was between generations.

“You are getting advice that’s anything up to 60 years out of date,” the Kidwrangling author said.

“I think that it can often end up with grandparents feeling they’ve been snubbed because their advice hasn’t been taken.” …

Parenting Research Centre executive director Warren Cann advised parents to take ideas on board — but not to heart…

“Ultimately we have to weigh all this information up. When it comes to something as complex as parenting, there’s always going to be a diverse range of ideas.”

Parenting educator Michael Grose said conflict between parents often arose because fathers — who were traditionally in the background — now wanted their say on raising their children.

“It’s not a bad thing — just a new phenomenon.”

Source: The Herald Sun
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21642006-662,00.html