You are the expert on your child. Since the moment your child arrived in your life, you have been the primary caretaker - the one who is up at night when your child is sick, laughing with your child over goofy nonsense, feeding, bathing and clothing your child, wiping away their tears, worrying, having fun, learning about and understanding your child's needs. Whether you’re trying to figure out how to get your child to sleep, you have this “feeling” that something is not right, or you’re just trying to raise a good kid – you are the expert on your child.

Too many times I talk with parents who are distraught over advice from their child’s doctor, a suggestion from a trusted loved one, or the words of a stranger. Family and friends may have their own experiences of what has worked for their own children, and maybe some of those ideas will work for your child, or maybe they won’t. The same goes for doctors and/or experts – one thing I have learned is that you can find a pediatrician or an expert who supports almost any parenting technique – from ideas about sleep, to feeding your child and disciplining your child – there is not one right answer.

Don’t get me wrong, there is value in gathering information and seeking advice from family, friends, your pediatrician or the experts; however, at the end of the day, you are the one who decides how to parent your child. Consider the facts and ideas, consult your understanding and knowledge of your child, and trust your instincts.