Hi Pam Interesting topic It is interesting how these "old wives tales" come about isn't it? I've heard that the cat sucking the baby's breath tale a lot. I heard that it started because kitties like to be warm, so if there was an infant in the house, the cat would find him/her and curl up next to them to keep warm...but sometimes accidently suffocated the baby in the process. What Crow said about smelling the milk on the baby's breath makes sense too. I hadn't heard that one.
Some of the old wives tales that I've heard over the years from my mom include:
If a dragonfly or ladybug lands on you, you will have good luck.
You can make ice faster by starting with warm water.
Red sky at night sailors delight, red sky in morning sailors take warning.
Dew on the grass in the morning means no rain for the day.
you can stand an egg on end on the vernal equinox.
Knocking on wood will prevent something bad from happening.
Swimming right after eating will cause cramps and you'll drown.

Ok, I'll stop for now. Is my family superstitious or what?? LOL LOL