Faced with hectic holiday schedules, parents often ask family and friends to pitch in and babysit their children. But many parents fail to provide critical information about what to do in an emergency, a new survey finds. Less than half of parents with children aged 5 and under posted emergency contact information, such as parents’… read on >
Colorful lights and candles can make the holidays sparkle, but child safety should be a priority when decking the halls or trimming a tree, a leading pediatricians’ group says. Christmas trees adorn many homes during the holidays but they can pose fire and other safety hazards if certain precautions aren’t taken, the American Academy of… read on >
There’s little doubt that gift giving has become a central focus of the holiday season, but as a parent you can still rein in kids’ expectations when it comes to presents. One popular rhyme suggests giving kids a maximum of four gifts: something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read.… read on >
There’s nothing like a child’s expression when getting a new toy. But toy safety belongs at the top of your holiday shopping list. A landmark study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, found that more than 3 million kids went to U.S. emergency rooms from 1990 through 2011 for toy-related injuries. Falls and collisions… read on >
Experiencing trauma as a child or teen apparently makes you more susceptible to heart disease. A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association (AHA) says that people who were abused, bullied, witnessed violence or had other traumatic experiences when they were children or teens are at increased risk for heart disease. The AHA based… read on >
When families travel during the holidays, they must contend with crowds, traffic and unfamiliar surroundings. But children’s safety should always come first, a leading pediatricians’ group says. When taking a train or airplane, it may seem inconvenient to have to worry about car safety seats. But the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents… read on >
It’s long been known that diabetes in pregnancy raises the odds for congenital heart defects. But new research shows that the threat may also extend to women who simply have high blood sugar levels — not just full-blown diabetes. “This finding may have a profound effect on how pregnant women are screened and treated —… read on >
You can’t beat the convenience of ordering out, but a steady diet of takeout food could raise your child’s risk of heart disease and diabetes later in life. That’s the word from British researchers who looked at the eating habits and health of more than 1,900 ethnically diverse children in England, ages 9 and 10.… read on >
A spot of hot tea in the afternoon might help you save your sight, new research suggests. The study of U.S. adults found that people who drank hot tea on a daily basis were 74 percent less likely to have glaucoma, compared to those who were not tea fans. Experts were quick to stress that… read on >
Children whose families regularly eat meals together tend to have better social skills and fitness levels, researchers report. Family meals yield multiple physical and mental health benefits, according to the long-term Canadian study. “The presence of parents during mealtimes likely provides young children with firsthand social interaction, discussions of social issues and day-to-day concerns,” explained… read on >
