Kids who play team sports may win some mental health benefits, but the same may not hold true for those in solo sports, a large, new study suggests. A number of previous studies have linked team sports to better mental well-being for children and teenagers, and the new research is no exception: Overall, it found,…  read on >  read on >

Children whose mothers had rising levels of depression during pregnancy appear to have an increased risk of behavioral problems, researchers say. “Our findings suggest that increases in mother’s symptoms of depression from preconception to postpartum contribute to children’s lower attention and behavioral control, which can raise the risk of problems across the life span,” said…  read on >  read on >

Children who have had COVID-19 aren’t protected against the Omicron variant, but vaccination does cut their chances of infection, a new study shows. “I hear parents say, ‘Oh, my kid had COVID last year,’” said senior study co-author Dr. Adrienne Randolph, from Boston Children’s Hospital. “But we found that antibodies produced by prior infections in…  read on >  read on >

Breastfeeding may literally help your baby breathe more easily, according to new research that found the longer an infant is fed mother’s milk exclusively, the lower the baby’s chances of developing asthma. “Breastfeeding for at least six months was the most protective but, importantly, it is likely that shorter amounts also provide some protection against…  read on >  read on >

The percussive skill needed to bang out rhythms on a drum may help improve socializing, inhibition control and focus among teens with autism, new research suggests. The finding follows work with 36 teens with an autism spectrum disorder. Half were randomly chosen to receive two months’ worth of drum training, based on a standard electronic…  read on >  read on >

If you’re having trouble finding infant formula for your baby due to the nationwide shortage, do not turn to homemade recipes, an expert warns. “Even the best intentions can have devastating results,” said Dr. Diane Calello, a pediatrician and director of the New Jersey Poison Control Center based at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in…  read on >  read on >

Reading to little ones builds bonds with their caregivers and boosts their language and literacy skills, but story time also benefits older kids, a new study reports. Reading to 6- to 12-year-olds for an hour a day in school can boost their intelligence, Italian researchers report. “Does it work? Yes, we found some compelling evidence…  read on >  read on >