- The Weekly Parent
- Posts
- Is The "Sad Beige" Parenting Trend Bad For Babies?
Is The "Sad Beige" Parenting Trend Bad For Babies?
Kids' cereal is a major problem

TOP OF MIND
Crying in Aesthetic Cribs
Have you heard of "sad beige" parenting? The term kicked off in 2021 on TikTok as a satirical reference to parents who favor a chic aesthetic rather than a playful one for their baby's room.
Think beige walls, wooden toys, tiny linen outfits, and not a primary color in sight. This trend has become so popular that there's been a noticeable uptick of beige hues in baby gear and clothing being sold across the globe.
And while it might seem harmless, some people claim you're actually delaying your baby's development.
But is there any truth to that claim?
The important bits
Early learning expert Courtney Aldrich says she has "no concerns" about the beige baby trend impacting a baby's vision or their eyesight development.
She points out that at such a young age, babies aren't even able to see decorations on the wall. In those early weeks and months, your baby can only see about 12-18 inches away. They also don't really see in color yet.
By 4 months old, an infant can see a large shape clearly on a computer screen from 20 feet away. But Reynolds said it’s not until 9 months of age that a baby should have perfect vision, though the infant won’t be able to achieve that marker without stimulation.
So what should you be doing to make sure their brain is stimulated? Exposing them to black and white borders, contrast and movement. A beige palette does not typically provide this, which is why most experts recommend toys with high contrast and bright colors.
What's it all mean?
There's no research to suggest a beige playroom alone causes developmental delays, but if you don't want your baby to be bored, try throwing in some pops of color. Experts say the classic decorations work, like a high-contrast mobile over their crib to engage their vision. You can just take it down when you want to take a photo of the nursery for your Insta.
DID YOU HEAR
🍪 You mean bite-sized cookies aren't healthy?!?
New research shows that over the past 15 years, children's cereals have gotten less healthy, and honestly... who is surprised by this? If you've been down the cereal aisle lately, it's full of shrunken desserts masquerading as breakfast food. The research shows cereals have increased in sugar, fat and sodium, while protein and fiber have gone down. If your household must eat cereal for breakfast, dietitians recommend these picks.
👩⚕️ Speaking of cookies for breakfast…
A recent study published in Lancet claims by 2050, a third of all children and teens will be obese or overweight. The study looked at 204 countries and found that global obesity rates in adults and children more than doubled from 1990 to 2021. They predict that 60% of adults and 31% of kids and teens will be overweight by 2050. Here's how to make sure your kid is not a statistic, without resorting to body shaming.
😷 Whooping cough is surging
There have already been over 8,500 whooping cough cases in the U.S. this year, which is twice as many cases as this time last year. And sadly, it's already turned deadly. Two infants in Kentucky died this year from the illness, marking the state's first pertussis-related deaths since 2018. The best prevention for whooping cough is to make sure everyone in your household is up to date with their vaccines. More info here.
🤐 Never give your kids the silent treatment
New research warns that using the silent treatment on kids is one of the worst forms of punishment. It not only fosters fear of conflict but also encourages avoidance behaviors that can damage emotional development.
🐶 4 signs your dog thinks of you as their parent
Hey, this is The Weekly Parent... not The Human Weekly Parent! Find out if your dog thinks of you as their parent here.
DOSE OF GOOD
FATHERS DAY GIFT IDEAS
Still have no idea what to get the dad in your life for Father's Day? Well, we have some suggestions that don't include power tools and beard oil.
🐦 Does your dad like watching birds? Like, really really like it? This Smart Bird Feeder is equipped with an auto capture camera, which means your dad can share photos of a rare Kirtland's Warbler in the family group chat.
🫐 If your dad is on a health kick, this NutriBullet is currently 10% off. Best of all? Black is one of the only colors available. Super manly!
🎸 Dad tunes by the pool this summer? This JBL Waterproof and Dustproof Bluetooth Speaker is 20% off and ready to blast 'Hotel California' throughout the neighborhood.
🍿 If your dad is more of the, "stay inside and watch a movie" type, this Retro Popcorn Maker does a wonderful job of delivering that classic popcorn experience.
BITES WITH KIYAH
June produce!
June is the month of fresh greens, all the herbs you can imagine, and (at least where I live) strawberries! If you're looking for a little inspiration for what to do with all these early summer foods, look no further.
Salads, pastas, frittatas, muffins, even popsicles. You'll find them all here.
HERE’S A QUESTION
Have you heard the news? Apparently, grandmothers want their own baby showers. That's right, the "granny shower" is becoming a growing trend.
What do you think? Do grandmothers "deserve" baby showers too? |
Last week, we asked you how worried you were about fluoride, and it was basically tied between, "A little, but I have bigger concerns," and "Not worried at all."