Parents Daily News Roundup

Friday, February 22nd, 2013

Girls In New York City Forced To Fight In YouTube Video
A video of two young girls being forced to fight each other in a New York City park has surfaced, catching the attention of authorities, Gothamist reports. (via Huffington Post)

Early Life Stress May Take Early Toll On Heart Function
Early life stress like that experienced by ill newborns appears to take an early toll of the heart, affecting its ability to relax and refill with oxygen-rich blood, researchers report. (via Science Daily)

Most Women Misunderstand IUD Birth Control
In a new survey, most women had inaccurate perceptions about the safety and effectiveness of intrauterine devices (IUDs) in preventing pregnancy, say U.S. researchers, who urge doctors to talk more about the benefits of the devices. (via Reuters)

The Pain of Bullying Lasts Into Adulthood
Kids don’t easily outgrow the pain of bullying, according to a new study that finds that people bullied as kids are less mentally healthy as adults. (via LiveScience)

FDA Approves Roche Drug for Late-stage Metastatic Breast Cancer
U.S. health regulators said on Friday they have approved a new drug made by Roche Holding AG for some patients with late-stage metastatic breast cancer who have failed other therapies. (via Reuters)

Experts Issue Guidelines for Gene Tests in Kids
Groups representing pediatricians and geneticists issued new recommendations on Thursday to provide doctors with guidance about when to test a child’s DNA for genetic conditions. (via Fox News)

Parents Daily News Roundup

Wednesday, January 2nd, 2013

Language Learning Begins in Utero, Study Finds; Newborn Memories of Oohs and Ahs Heard in the Womb
Research led by Christine Moon, a professor of psychology at Pacific Lutheran University, shows that infants, only hours old showed marked interest for the vowels of a language that was not their mother tongue. (via ScienceDaily)

Circumcision On The Decline? What Parents Need to Know About The Procedure
Having your newborn baby boy circumcised used to be a common practice in the United States, but in recent years, more parents are opting out. According to Charge Data Master, newborn circumcision rates declined from 58.4 percent in 2001 to 54.7 percent in 2010. Yet these numbers don’t take into account circumcisions performed outside of the hospital – such as those for religious reasons. (via Fox News)

Ultrasound Parties: New Frontier in Pregnancy Oversharing
Thanks to improved ultrasound technology, parents-to-be can now invite friends and family to share in an intimate viewing of baby in utero. (via Today Moms)

Philadelphia School District Plans to Close Dozens of Schools
Now, facing deep financial problems, the Philadelphia School District has proposed an unprecedented downsizing that would close 37 campuses by June — roughly one out of six public schools. If the sweeping plan is approved, the district says it will improve academic standards by diverting money used for maintaining crumbling buildings to hire teachers and improve classroom equipment. (via New York Times)

More Food for Hungry Students: USDA Tweaks School Meals
Schools across the country continue to struggle with implementing the first new nutritional guidelines in 15 years governing meals served to nearly 32 million U.S. students every day. Some schools are finding it a challenge to meet the new requirements of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National School Lunch Program, put in place in January 2012. Amid pressure from government officials, the USDA recently loosened up on some of its requirements on meat and grains. (via TIME)

Parents Daily News Roundup

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

‘The Lion King 3D’ Claims Box-Office Crown with $29.3 Million
Nostalgia wins again! Disney’s “The Lion King 3D,” a technologically enhanced re-release of the 1994 animated classic, tore up the competition at the box office this weekend, earning an estimated $29.3 million — more than the other three newcomers combined.

Learning to See: How Vision Sharpens
Babies are born nearly blind. You may think that your newborn is gazing into your eyes, but what she actually sees is a vaguely face-shaped blur, associated with loving sounds and possibly milk.

Neighbors Save Baby Boy with Infant CPR
An Auburn mother bottle-feeding her baby boy suddenly realizes he’s blue and not breathing. Fortunately her neighbors knew what to do.

Can Fatty Acids in Breast Milk or Formula Make Kids Smarter?
Whether they’re fed by bottle or breast, babies seem to turn out smarter when nourished with healthy fatty acids found in breast milk and some formulas, two new studies indicate.

Lack of Sleep Hurts Kids’ Academic Performance: Study
Inadequate sleep and the absence of a good bedtime routine take a toll on the school performance of primary school children, research shows.

Norfolk Family Sues Starbucks
A Norfolk family is suing Starbucks after they say their 5-year-old daughter found a camera in a store bathroom.

How to Prepare for the Hurricane

Friday, August 26th, 2011

In our September issue, we have a timely story by Parents advisor and pediatrician Wendy Sue Swanson, M.D., on how to prepare for an emergency. It’s an incredibly helpful piece; Dr. Swanson breaks down the exact steps we should all take and the supplies—there are many—we should have on hand to get through three days. For all of you on the east coast, it’s worth reading the story and seeing which supplies you already have in your home, and which you may need to collect before the storm hits.

You may be especially nervous if you’re pregnant or home with a newborn. With that in mind, our friends at the March of Dimes shared some helpful preparation tips geared toward exactly those families:

1)   Pregnant women should know the signs of labor, and if they experience any of these symptoms, should not wait for them to just go away. They should seek immediate medical care. Preterm labor is any labor before 37 weeks gestation. The signs of labor are:

• Contractions (the abdomen tightens like a fist) every 10 minutes or more often

• Change in vaginal discharge (leaking fluid or bleeding from the vagina)

• Pelvic pressure—the feeling that the baby is pushing down

• Low, dull backache

• Cramps that feel like a period

• Abdominal cramps with or without diarrhea

2) Pregnant women should pack prenatal vitamins, or perhaps an extra supply of over-the-counter vitamins, along with extra maternity clothes.

3) Fill prescription medications in advance.

4) Have bottled water and non-perishable food supplies on hand. Try to stock food that is high in protein and low in fat.

5) New parents who may need to stay in a shelter should consider bringing a safe place for their baby to sleep, such as a portable crib, as well as extra diapers and other basic medical supplies.

6) New parents also should take special steps to ensure they have food for their infants. The stress of a hurricane may affect lactating women’s milk supply, although breastfeeding can be calming for both mother and baby.

7) In the rare instance it becomes impossible to continue to breastfeed, mothers may consider weaning their baby. If they choose to switch to formula, parents should use pre-prepared formula because there may be concerns about the quality of the water supply. Do not use water treated with iodine or chlorine tablets to prepare powdered formula.

8) Pregnant women should do their best to eat regularly and nutritiously and remain hydrated. They also should do their best to get enough rest.

‘Show Dad How,’ An Illustrated Guide for New Dads

Friday, June 24th, 2011

New dads, now you can learn how to prepare for fatherhood with “Show Dad How” by Shawn Bean.  Bean, the Executive Editor of Parenting magazine (often confused with Parents magazine) and his staff put together this 156-page, illustrated guide to help dads through the toughest, most puzzling challenges of baby’s first year and beyond. 

Divided into three sections (Prep, Deal, Play), the book offers a mix of practical and tongue-in-cheek advice for every situation: how to pack a diaper bag, decipher the color of baby poo, and serve green eggs and ham as a meal.

For new moms, there’s even a “Show Mom How” illustrated guide.

Read more about new fathers on Parents.com

• Dealing with New Father Fears
• 7 Ways to Be an Awesome Dad
• Expectations of the New American Dad

Welcome to the World, 2011 Babies!

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Congratulations to the parents whose babies were born on January 1, 2011! The Executive Editor of Parents.com, Michael Kress, welcomed his own newborn daughter on an unforgettable date of the year.  Read his recent post on anticipating his second child.

Our readers also took to Facebook (facebook/parentsmagazine) to share stories about welcoming bundles of joy (their own and their friends).  Read the stories below:

My son is the first one to be born at the Northeast Baptism Hospital in San Antonio. He was born at 2:50 pm. – Brenda Ortegon de Oblitas

My son, Tyson Kruz, at 5:42pm! – Samantha Cox-Filtingberger

Victor was born at 6:27 am.  He was the first baby born in Lawton, OK. – Allison Dirks Derrick

A friend had her son at exactly 12 am! So amazing and a great blessing! – Brandy Yantorn-Moore

My friends had their little boy Liam at 12:35 am. First baby of the area. They were on three different news stations! – Mica Ruhl Borden

A good friend of mine welcomed her third little boy! Asa Matthew was born  at 12:30pm! – Karri Hodge Hollingsworth

My friend had twin boys at 4:11am and 4:12am in New Jersey! – Amanda Tiseo

My friend’s baby, Andrew Scott Jr., was born at 8:45 pm. – Elizabeth Northcutt

My best friend Drea had a baby girl named Brooklyn, and she was the first one born in 2011 at the hospital. – Rachel Braasch

My husband’s coworker and his wife welcomed their first child, Ryland Jack, into the world. They had such a hard time carrying to term that this New Year’s Day blessing was even more special for us. Congrats, Candi and Milton! – Kim Howell

Did you welcome any babies of your own on January 1? Did you hear other miraculous birth stories? Share them in the comments section below.

Daily News Roundup

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Are tablets the smartphone killer? - This very new dilemma begs the question: Are we at the dawn of an age in which tablets will become the jewel in your gadget crown, eclipsing the mighty smartphone only a few years into its reign? [CNN]

Gay benefit shapes debate about HPV vaccine for boys – From the start, arguments about whether to inoculate males against HPV have centered mainly on the benefits for women — and the desire to stop men from transmitting the most common sexually spread infection. The vaccine is approved, but not recommended, to prevent genital warts in males. But now, growing evidence shows that the vaccine also may prevent anal cancer, particularly in the high-risk groups of homosexual and bisexual men, who are about 20 times more likely than heterosexuals to develop the disease. [MSNBC]

1 in 10 kids in U.S. has ADHD, new study says – Nearly 1 in 10 U.S. children has ADHD, a sizable increase from a few years earlier that government scientists think might be explained by growing awareness and better screening. [MSNBC]

6 things to consider for your baby’s nursery – Preparing for a baby can be an overwhelming process. Before you enter the later stages of your pregnancy (when it might be difficult for you to move around), start putting together your newborn’s nursery. From paint colors to furniture, there is a lot to consider. We highlighted six important factors. [Fox News]

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Daily News Roundup

Thursday, November 11th, 2010

Infant foods should be screened for mycotoxins, scientists say - An international team of scientists calls for protecting complementary food for infants in developing countries — especially those where corn is a staple food — against fumonisin, a toxin produced by fungi. Until now, physicians thought the growth retardation of children in those regions was to be blamed on the poor nutritional value of the complementary maize porridge they receive when breast milk is no longer sufficient. But toxins indeed are involved, the scientists report in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research. [Science Daily]

Toymakers jockey for children’s envy, parents’ cash
Toys may be a bright spot during what is predicted to be another tough holiday season for consumer spending. Compared with other retail categories such as luxury and electronics, toys weren’t hit as hard during the economic downturn for one major reason: Many parents will cut back everywhere else before they deprive their children of that Buzz Lightyear action figure or the latest Bratz doll. Plus, toys are relatively cheap. [Bellingham Herald]

Finnish success in tackling childrens’ diabetes - A new Finnish study has found a connection between infants’ diets and childhood diabetes. In the study, carried out over ten years, researchers managed to prevent type 1 diabetes in children with a genetic disposition for the illness. [YLE Finland]

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