Infants exposed to maternal smoking during pregnancy are more than five times more likely to die unexpectedly compared to babies of nonsmokers, a new study says. “The message is simple. Smoking greatly elevates the risk of sudden unexpected infant death,” said lead study author Barbara Ostfeld, program director of the SIDS Center of New Jersey…  read on >  read on >

Just like adults, children need lots of fiber in their diets. Fiber is part of what fuels a child’s normal growth and development. It helps them feel full longer, controls blood sugar levels, reduces cholesterol and promotes regular bowel movements, according to Children’s Health of Orange County, Calif. (CHOC). “We see improvements in disease management…  read on >  read on >

A mother-to-be’s exposure to air pollution during pregnancy may have a lasting impact on her baby’s brain development, new research indicates. Toddlers scored lower on assessments for thinking, motor and language skills when their mothers had more exposure to pollutants during pregnancy, according to researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder. “Our findings suggest that…  read on >  read on >