THURSDAY, Jan. 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you want breastfeeding to go smoothly, you might want to ask the hospital to delay that first bath for your newborn, new research suggests. For decades, it’s been standard procedure to give newborns a bath within the first few hours after birth,Continue Reading
(HealthDay News) — Talking with your baby helps the child’s language development, the Nemours Foundation says. Researchers have found that the number of words a parent said to a child was strongly associated with the depth of the child’s vocabulary at the age of 3. And when parents used differentContinue Reading
(HealthDay News) — The amount of sleep a child needs varies at different ages, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. While different kids of the same age may require different amounts, there are science-based guidelines of suggested sleep amounts for each age, the academy says. Here are the guidelines: Infants:Continue Reading
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Not every budding musician will become a rock star, but studying music has brain bonuses for kids, even those who don’t take up an instrument until their teen years. There’s no doubt that participation in in-school music programs boosts motivation. Mastering an instrumentContinue Reading
(HealthDay News) — The foods you eat and drink during childhood will impact the strength of your bones as you age, the Nemours Foundation says. Most of your bone density stems from what you eat and drink as children and teens, says Nemours, which notes the process is virtually finishedContinue Reading
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Today’s teens are better at using birth control when they first become sexually active, but many unexpected pregnancies still occur, new research finds. Teens who didn’t use birth control during their first month of sexual activity faced nearly a fourfold increase in theContinue Reading
TUESDAY, Jan. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly all TV food ads aimed at Hispanic and black children in the United States are for unhealthy products, a new report claims. In 2017, black teens saw more than twice as many ads for unhealthy food products as white teens, researchers found.Continue Reading
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — When children are having suicidal thoughts, their parents may often be in the dark, a new study shows. The study included more than 5,000 kids, aged 11 to 17, and one parent for each child. Researchers found that among the children, 8 percentContinue Reading
MONDAY, Jan. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Getting kids to try new foods can become a daily showdown. One promising approach: expose babies early on to varied tastes and textures. Researchers in Brisbane, Australia, found that food experiences when just 14 months old can influence the eating habits that childrenContinue Reading
(HealthDay News) — TVs and computers are part of everyday life, but the American Academy of Pediatrics urges caution about overuse of digital devices. They should never take the place of face-to-face time with family and friends, the academy says. The AAP suggests how to manage screen use at home:Continue Reading
FRIDAY, Jan. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women who get a flu shot protect not only themselves, but also their developing baby, health officials report. When a mom-to-be gets the flu, she can be so sick she needs to be admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit. And newContinue Reading
(HealthDay News) — Stress is a function of the demands placed on people and their ability to meet them, the Nemours Foundation says. Stress affects anyone who feels overwhelmed, including children. Signs of a stressed child include mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns or bedwetting, the foundation says.Continue Reading
(HealthDay News) — Teens typically have a significant increase in appetite around the age of 10 in girls and 12 in boys, the American Academy of Pediatrics says. During adolescence, boys require an average of 2,800 calories per day and girls an average of 2,200 calories per day. Hunger typicallyContinue Reading
THURSDAY, Jan. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — You know how important fiber is for overall health, making meals more filling and staying “regular.” But did you know that children need their fair share of fiber, too? And for the same reasons. How much is enough? In general, the U.S. InstituteContinue Reading