Good sleep routines can help children get the rest they need, researchers say. For the new report, investigators reviewed 44 studies from 16 countries in North America, Europe and Asia. The studies included a total nearly 300,000 children, aged 4 months to 18 years. “Good sleep hygiene gives children the best chances of getting adequate,… read on >
All Mommy:
Health Tip: Giving Cough Medicine to a Child
It’s perfectly normal for parents to be concerned when a child comes home sneezing and coughing with what appears to be the common cold, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says. But cough medicine may not be the best remedy, the agency warns. It says some cough medicines could have life-threatening side effects, such as… read on >
‘Experience to Share’: Facebook Page Helps Families Hit by Polio-Like Illness
Isolated and afraid, Erin Olivera cast about the internet looking for information about the mysterious paralysis that had stricken her 11-month-old son Lucian. She found next to nothing. No clear reason why over the course of a weekend in 2012 her boy went from a happy active toddler to utterly immobile and barely able to… read on >
For College Students, ‘Hookup Sex’ More Intimate Than Thought
Intimacy plays a larger role in casual sex among college students than previously thought, a new U.S. study reports. Researchers analyzed the results of an online survey that asked several hundred students at a university in the Northeast about their romantic relationships and casual sex. As expected, affectionate and intimate activities — such as cuddling,… read on >
Nose Holds Clues to Baby’s First Cold
When a baby starts sniffling and sneezing, the type of bacteria in their nose may predict how long the cold will last, a new study finds. Babies with a wide variety of bacteria in the nose recover faster from their first cold than those with less variety, the researchers said. “It’s well known that different… read on >
Opioids Exact Another Toll on Newborns: Smaller Heads
Infants born addicted to opioids may be more likely to have smaller heads that might hinder their development, new research suggests. “Babies chronically exposed to opiates [during pregnancy] had a head size about a centimeter smaller” than babies born to moms not using drugs, said lead researcher Dr. Craig Towers. He’s an associate professor of… read on >
Incontinence Drug May Cut Hot Flashes in Breast Cancer Survivors
Hot flashes, a common curse in menopause, can be especially bothersome after breast cancer. But a new study suggests an existing medication may help. The drug is oxybutynin (Ditropan XL), long used to treat urinary incontinence. The study found that women taking the medicine had an average of five fewer hot flashes a week, compared… read on >
Are Kids’ Playgrounds Really Safe?
The numbers are alarming. According to U.S. health officials, more than 200,000 children aged 14 or under are treated each year in emergency departments for playground-related injuries, about 10 percent of which involve “TBIs” — or traumatic brain injuries. Modern playground designs help reduce the risk of injury from falls, but they’re not implemented in… read on >
Health Tip: Understanding Bottlemouth Syndrome
Bottlemouth syndrome is a form of tooth decay that affects babies and young children. It is caused by prolonged drinking of sugary liquids from a bottle. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children are at greater risk of bottlemouth if they are put to bed with a bottle of milk or juice. The decay is… read on >
Make Those School Lunches More Nutritious
Brown-bag lunches give you control over what you eat and what your children eat, but studies show that these to-go meals need to be healthier. This is especially important for kids because their eating habits are developed during the preschool years. Recent studies have evaluated lunches for preschoolers by comparing their contents to the Healthy… read on >