Older women who don’t stick to a set sleep and wake schedule may be more likely to struggle with feelings of depression and anxiety — even if they get a normal amount of zzzs. What’s more, a postmenopausal woman who goes to bed very early and wakes up very early (an “early bird”) or goes… read on > read on >
All Mommy:
Almost 700,000 Rocking Sleepers Recalled After 15 Babies Die
Following the deaths of 15 infants, families are advised to immediately stop using all models of Kids2 Rocking Sleepers, according to a second recall notice. Four of those 15 babies died after the first recall notice, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported. The company is recalling 694,000 Rocking Sleepers. Parents can contact the… read on > read on >
Leading Pediatricians’ Group Calls for More Aggressive Treatment of Childhood Obesity
A leading pediatricians’ group has issued new guidelines on treating obesity in children and teens that, for the first time, call for early, aggressive intervention that can include weight-loss drugs and surgery. “There is no evidence that ‘watchful waiting’ or delayed treatment is appropriate for children with obesity,” Dr. Sandra Hassink, an author of the… read on > read on >
New Hope Against ‘Incurable’ Liver Disease That Kills Children
Patients with an incurable, genetic liver disease have new hope after an animal study showed that a single drug could reverse its effects. Alagille syndrome is caused by a mutation that prevents the formation and regeneration of bile ducts in the liver. About 4,000 babies a year are born with this condition. Often, they require… read on > read on >
Exercise, Sports: A Natural Antidepressant for Teens
An antidote to teenage depression might be found in school gymnasiums and on sports fields, a major new review argues. Supervised exercise programs are associated with significant reductions in symptoms of depression among children and teenagers, according to the analysis of data from 21 studies involving more than 2,400 kids. “This is the first time… read on > read on >
Could Weight-Loss Surgery in Teens Raise Risks for Alcohol Abuse?
For teens who are obese, weight-loss surgery can be life-changing — but not always in a good way. A new study finds a troubling downside to weight-loss surgery among 13- to 19-year-olds: They’re at increased risk of alcohol use disorders. And their risk stays higher for up to eight years after their surgery. “We have… read on > read on >
Polluted Air Means More Asthma Attacks for Urban Kids
Air pollution may trigger more asthma attacks in urban children and teens, a new study reports. Even moderate levels of ozone and fine airborne particulates — two ingredients of smog — appear to increase kids’ risk of asthma attacks, according to findings published online Jan. 4 in The Lancet Planetary Health journal. “The strong association… read on > read on >
Good Parental Leave Gives Big Boost to Moms’ Mental Health
Generous parental leave policies at work can do wonders for a new mom’s mental health. This is among the key messages from a new review of 45 studies examining how parental leave policies affect mom and dad’s mental health and well-being. Mothers working for companies with generous parental leave policies were less likely to experience… read on > read on >
End of Roe v. Wade May Have More Women Opting for Permanent Contraception
Jasmine Quezada, a Los Angeles tax accountant, says she has known since age 10 she never wanted to be a mother. “I never thought parenthood was for me and that was no secret to my family or my friends,” Quezada, 31, said. “When I was dating my husband, we often discussed my choice to remain… read on > read on >
Frequent Social Media Checks May Affect Young Brains
Social media’s impact on young people is a hot topic, with most kids and teens wanting to do whatever their friends are doing and parents worrying about setting limits. A new study examines whether frequent checking of social media sites (Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) is associated with changes in functional brain development in these early… read on > read on >