More U.S. families with young children are buying handguns — and that might help explain a recent spike in firearm deaths, a new study suggests. Government figures show that after years of decline, gun-related deaths among U.S. children under age 5 have been on the upswing. Between 2006 and 2016, the rate nearly doubled —… read on >
As your child ages, he or she should play a greater role in getting medical care, the American Academy of Family Physicians says. The academy suggests how to empower your teen to make informed medical decisions: At about age 14, kids should be able to: understand and explain any medical conditions they have, know which… read on >
American parents aren’t sure whether their teen and young adult children should be prescribed opioid painkillers, and many don’t know there are other ways to get pain relief, a new survey finds. The poll included more than 1,000 parents of children aged 13 to 24, one-third of whom had been prescribed opioid painkillers. While more… read on >
While one in five kids may have a learning disability that requires one-on-one intervention, others may simply need to develop good study habits to improve their grades. But good study habits don’t always come easily or naturally. You can help your ‘tween or teen develop them with a few easy steps, and save both of… read on >
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, but the new finding suggests that waiting 12 or more hours before… read on >
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 different words and sentences in conversation, their children had… read on >
Germs may thrive at the gym, creating a perfect breeding ground for skin infections. Bacteria, viruses and fungi thrive in warm and moist places, such as the locker room or sweaty gym equipment, the American Academy of Dermatology says. The academy mentions these preventive tips: Wear loose-fitting, moisture-wicking clothing. Always wear shoes around the locker… read on >
No parent wants to see their child catch a cold, but some take prevention measures that have little basis in science, a new survey shows. For example, 51 percent of parents said they give their child an over-the-counter vitamin or supplement to prevent colds, even though there’s no evidence they work. Seventy-one percent of parents… read on >
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: (4 to 12 months): 12 to 16 hours… read on >
A study of nearly 200 poor women living in the St. Louis area found that two out of three had to go without feminine hygiene products at least once over the prior year, due to cost. About one-fifth — 21 percent — said this happened on a monthly basis, and nearly half said they often… read on >
