2022 Parenting Guidance and Tips

Parents with sick children this season have sometimes struggled to find pain relief medicine. Now both CVS and Walgreens have begun to limit purchases of the medications amid short supplies.

CVS shoppers can only buy two children’s pain relief products in one transaction. Walgreens is more lenient, allowing online shoppers to purchase as many as six products in one transaction. It has no limit on in-store purchases.

Walmart said it has seen a significant increase in demand for children’s health products but has been able to keep enough of the products on store shelves to meet the demand.

The shortage has little to do with supply chains. Both chains say the shortages are being driven by an outbreak of upper respiratory infections in children over the last few months.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA) says it has remained in contact with its member companies that manufacture pediatric analgesics, including liquid formulations. It says the companies are operating facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and are not currently experiencing widespread shortages.  

‘Recent and rapid increase in demand’

“The reason for the scarcity of OTC children’s pain relievers at certain retail locations is a direct result of the recent and rapid increase in demand driven by a rise in pediatric cases of respiratory illnesses including the flu, COVID, and RSV,” CHPA said in a statement. “Manufacturers are producing at full capacity and directing product inventory to where it is needed most. However, we understand it might be frustrating for parents to quickly locate these products from their usual pharmacy or retailer due to intermittent out-of-stocks.”

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, has been widespread across the U.S. since early fall. It is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. 

Most people recover in a week or two, but RSV can be serious, especially for infants and older adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says RSV is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children younger than one year of age in the United States.

While RSV is surging, there has also been an uptick in COVID-19 cases, especially in California. This year’s flu season is also the worst since before the pandemic. Healthcare providers have dubbed it a “tripledemic.”

There is no shortage of studies that have looked at the ways that too much time in front of screens can be detrimental to kids. Researchers have found that excessive screen time can affect everything from kids’ vision, to physical health, and overall mental well-being. 

With the holidays right dead ahead, kids are gearing up for holiday break. With electronics an ever-present part of our day-to-day lives, how can parents ensure they’re actually connecting and spending time with their kids when they’re not in school? 

Children and Screens: Institute of Digital Media and Child Development is a nonprofit organization that works to understand the media’s impact on child development. This holiday season, it's offering parents 13 tips on how to encourage ditching screens and creating more personal connections with kids. 

“The holidays can be a period of increased screen time for kids, whether it’s more time playing video games, scrolling through Instagram, or binging the latest series,” the organization wrote. “But it can also be a great opportunity to establish new habits, spend more quality time with family, and set intentions for the new year.” 

Going screen-free for the holidays

The goal of these tips is to help families spend more time together – and less time looking at tablets, smartphones, laptop screens, and TVs. Here is what experts from Children and Screens recommend for having a screen-free holiday season: 

• Set Goals: Holidays mean a holiday break. With no school, kids have more free time, and rather than assume they’ll spend that time in front of screens, plan ahead with your little ones. Think about other activities they can engage in, friends or family they can see, or games they can play that don’t involve screens. 

• Go Screen Free: Create designated times when all devices are put away. Make sure that everyone in the family abides by these rules. With no one in front of screens, it’s the perfect time to connect with each other. 

• Have Fun with Dinner Time Conversations: Without phones, dinnertime can still be fun and exciting for families. Children and Screens experts encourage families to play games at the dinner table, ask each other interesting questions, or take the time to learn more about each other. 

• Embrace Boredom: While it may feel difficult for many kids – and parents! – being bored is okay. Not having a phone or computer at the ready gives kids more time to tap into their imaginations and let their minds wander to creative places. 

• Create and Explore Together: The holidays are a great time to do things as a family. This can mean doing simple activities together, like playing board games or looking through old family photo albums. 

• Find Balance: Instead of spending all of the holiday break in front of different screens, this is a great opportunity for kids to try an assortment of different things. There’s time to read books, visit with friends or family, participate in holiday traditions, and even have screen time – when it’s balanced with other activities.

• Get Engaged: The holidays are a great time for parents to join in this screen-free challenge with their kids. Brainstorm ideas of things to do, places to visit, or activities to do together. 

• Take Screen Time Breaks: Experts recommend that for every hour of screen time, kids take a 10-15 minute break. Any activity that doesn’t involve screens counts as a break. 

• Take Time for Others: Giving back to those in need – especially during the holidays – can be incredibly fulfilling for families to do together – whether that’s donating clothes or volunteering at local organizations. 

• Share the Love: Use the holiday break to share love with a family member or friend every day. Children and Screens encourages families to pick a new family member – either who lives in the house, or who’s part of the extended family – or friend every day of the holiday season to shower with love. 

• Stick to Routine: While the usual day-to-day routine is likely to change without school, it’s still important for kids to have a schedule. Any rules that are typically in effect regarding screen time should be maintained during breaks from school. 

• Stay Connected: It’s important for kids to feel and stay connected to their friends. Though this is likely to entail a lot of virtual communication with school out of session, balance between screen time and screen-free time is key. 

• Motivational Interview Activity: Parents can help kids better understand their screen time habits by asking them thoughtful questions. These kinds of conversations can also be more likely to set future change in motion in regard to kids’ screen time habits. 

For more insights on child development and screen time – for the holidays and beyond – visit Children and Screens.

What parent doesn’t want their child to have an opportunity to grow cognitively? Ever since Teddy Ruxpin started talking to kids in 1985, toy manufacturers have continued to up the ante on building toys that could elevate a child’s learning.

Now, however, some manufacturers may have gone too far – collecting and using data about the children who interact with their toys, according to a new report from the U.S. PIRG Education Fund. Smart Decisions about Smart Toys: High-tech toys can put children at risk builds on the group’s recent investigation of dangerous toys undertaken for the recent 37th annual Trouble in Toyland report. 

How far is too far? As an example, the manufacturer of the software that brings the Fuzzible Friends Alexa-connected toy to life states in its privacy policy that it may receive the geolocation and transcripts of a child’s interactions with the toy, contingent on parental consent.

And, get this – if a child happens to say their age while playing with the toy, that information would be included in the transcript the company receives. 

“Toys are toys. They shouldn’t be devices companies use to harvest our children's personal information, picture or voice,” said R.J. Cross, director of PIRG Education Fund's Don’t Sell My Data campaign.

“Unnecessary data collection puts our children at risk. Toy manufacturers must take the safety and security of children seriously.”

'We have your data and we’ll have it forever'

Think about this. In the wrong hands, the possibility exists that a 3-year-old toddler’s data could be repurposed over and over again, year after year.

Cross said that toy manufacturers may partner with other tech companies to process and store data, and if they feel they’ve reserved the right to share a child’s data with other parties, they could possibly sell or share that data further, including to third-party marketers. 

And with cyber thieves as cunning as they are in breaching a company’s user data pool, the chances a child’s data will be exposed in a breach or a hack grows exponentially. In fact, that’s already happened.

In one instance, when smart toy manufacturer Vtech’s data was breached in 2015, the names, birthdays, genders, and even photos and voice recordings of 6.4 million children were exposed online. 

Other risks include unsecured internet connections which can allow a toy to become an eavesdropping device, a microphone that bad actors could potentially use to talk to kids, and toys with companion apps that may include in-app purchases, where kids may run up big bills by accident. 

Before you buy your child a 'smart toy,' take these precautions

U.S. PIRG offers a complete guide as to what parents should consider before buying their child a smart toy, but the basics are simple. If a toy has any of the following features, a parent would be wise to reconsider purchasing it unless they also have the ability to set time limits, control privacy, etc.:

• Cameras, microphones or sensors

• Chat functions

• Location sharing

• In-app purchases

• Programming to accomplish a high level of individual personalization

“Read the fine print,” Cross urges. “Look at the terms & conditions and privacy policies for answers to key questions like what data does the toy gather about my child, what does the manufacturer use it for, and does the manufacturer share my child’s data with other companies?”

Parents and caregivers are being warned not to use the LUMI and MINI infant flotation rings sold by Otteroo Corporation.

An evaluation of the devices by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found they can deflate during use or storage. As a result, the child occupant may slide out of the product into the water, leading to serious injury or death.

A a six-month old infant died by drowning in 2020 in Maine after slipping through an Otteroo infant flotation ring.

In a separate incident in New York in 2020, a three-month old infant was seriously injured.

Several devices pose concern

At issue are the LUMI and MINI infant flotation rings sold nationwide since January 2014, and discontinued models of infant flotation rings: the Version 1, sold from 2014 to 2015, and the Version 2, sold from 2015 to 2018.

According to CPSC, there have been 68 incidents where infants slipped through the head opening of the flotation ring and required immediate rescue.

CPSC is urging consumers not to buy the Otteroo infant flotation rings, and advises those who own one to stop using it and dispose of it immediately.

Additionally, consumers should NOT resell or donate the Otteroo infant flotation rings to avoid putting other infants in danger by the hazard.

Pushback from Otteroo

Otteroo has taken issue with the CPSC warning.

It claims the neck floats come with thorough safety instructions and warnings which -- if followed -- will ensure safe use.

Otteroo also says the warnings make it clear that neck floats are meant to be used under close and constant adult supervision.

And it contends there are inconsistencies and limited evidence concerning whether the neck floats were directly responsible.

The firm has refused to agree to CPSC’s request for an acceptable recall.

If AT&T is your carrier and you’ve got kiddos in the family, that combination is being fused by the carrier with the launch of its first kids-focused tablet.

The tablet is a version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite where the hardware and software are designed specifically with parents of young kids in mind – easy to set up and restricted access to apps, the internet, and other safety points of concern.

In an email to ConsumerAffairs, an AT&T spokesperson said that the table is perfect for little hands, too, with an 8.7-inch display with a rugged, durable case to handle the toughest of tough love and a battery life estimated at up to 11 hours. 

The price and the bonus content

Consumers actually have two price options: They can either purchase the device online or in stores for $250 upfront or spread that $250 over 36 months (a little less than $7/mo.).* 

AT&T customers also get access to Samsung’s Kids platform for free. That way, parents have the ability to quickly toggle out of “kids mode” and use the tablet like any other tablet when they need it.

*(0% APR, 36-mo. installment agreement with. $0 down for well-qualified customers. Tax on full price due at sale. Credit card may be req'd [except MA, PA, ND]. $35 activation fee and other fees may apply). 

And the all-important parental controls

Parental controls are nothing to be messed with and both Apple and Google (for Android) have made sure that those controls remain well-guarded.

AT&T/Samsung are following suit with the new tablet, allowing parents to set limits on playtime as well as give access to specific contacts and apps. Parents can also check the usage report to see what their child is doing or make sure they’re only seeing what’s appropriate when using this tablet.

How do you know if this tablet is the “right” device for your child? When that question was posed to AT&T, they said this:

“AT&T has teamed up with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to create free digital resources found on AT&T ScreenReady to help families use technology safely and responsibly. Parents can use the AAP’s interactive Family Media Plan tool to help create healthy digital habits for their family.”

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania explored some of the risks associated with adolescents’ behavior patterns. According to their findings, being impulsive during the early adolescent years can lead to poorer behaviors down the road.

“Kids with impulse control problems are at risk for a variety of adverse outcomes, such as drug use, acting-out behavior, and antisocial behavior,” said researcher Dan Romer.

“What we’ve found is that you’ve got to start mitigating impulsivity before it starts influencing behaviors that lead to substance use and antisocial behavior disorders. Once adolescents are on a trajectory of engaging in those behaviors, it may become more difficult to prevent disorders later in adolescence than it is to treat impulsivity itself.”

Targeting impulsivity

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from nearly 365 kids enrolled in the Philadelphia Trajectory Study. Participants were between the ages of 10 and 12 when the study began. They were interviewed once per year for six years and then completed one final interview two years later. During the interviews, they answered questions primarily about their behaviors and their choices at each stage of adolescence. 

The study highlighted impulsivity in early adolescence as a marker of future behavior. When the study began, children who were the most impulsive were the most likely to experience changes to their personality in later adolescence, including antisocial behavior and alcohol use disorder.  

However, for participants who developed more impulsive traits later in adolescence, this behavioral shift wasn’t as likely. The researchers found that antisocial behavior became an important predictor of future behavioral outcomes. 

“It is also important to target antisocial behavior to interrupt the cascade that predicts both alcohol use disorder and antisocial personality disorder,” said researcher Ivy Defoe. “In fact, the study showed that increases in antisocial behavior in mid- to late-adolescence further predicted increases in impulsivity as well. This is consistent with labeling theory that suggests that individuals who show antisocial behavior are subsequently labeled as ‘antisocial’ or ‘rule-breakers,’ which causes them to further exhibit attributes that are associated with such behavior.” 

The researchers hope more work is done to better identify young people who may be struggling with their mental health to help prevent potentially harmful behaviors as they grow into adulthood. They recommend an increase in screenings for these conditions, as well as mindfulness interventions geared towards adolescents. 

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored how infants delivered before their due date may struggle with focus and attention down the road. According to the findings, kids may be more likely to develop ADHD when their mothers deliver preterm. 

“Teachers’ reports, in conjunction with maternal reports and physician evaluations, provide valuable input for the diagnosis of ADHD,” said researcher Nancy Reichman. “Mother-reported symptoms generally reflect behaviors in the home or some small family or social groups, while teacher-reported symptoms reflect behaviors in a structured educational setting by professionals who work with a large number of children and observe the range of behaviors the students exhibit in classrooms.” 

Understanding kids’ attention struggles

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from 1,400 children born between 1998 and 2000 who were enrolled in the Fragile Families Well-Being study. Over the course of nearly a decade, the researchers regularly interviewed the children’s mothers. When the children were nine, the team interviewed the children's teachers to get a sense of their behavior and academic performance. 

The researchers learned that there was a link between mothers who delivered preterm and children who developed ADHD. The teachers used the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale-Revised Short Form to measure the kids’ cognitive ability and overall behavior patterns. Based on this, they noticed that kids who were delivered at full term – 39-41 weeks – had fewer behaviors related to ADHD than kids who were delivered at 37-38 weeks. 

While these few weeks may not seem to make much of a difference, the researchers say they are key to development. The study showed that hyperactivity and rates of ADHD were nearly 23% and 20% higher for kids born between 37 and 38 weeks, respectively.

“Significant growth and development in various kinds of brain cells are observed between 34 and 40 weeks of gestation,” said Reichman. “Infants born at full-term likely benefit from the additional one to two weeks of brain growth in utero compared with those born early-term.”  

Moving forward, the team hopes more health care providers consider these findings when consulting with women during pregnancy.  

“The findings add to growing evidence supporting current recommendations for delaying elective deliveries to at least 39 weeks and suggest that regular screenings for ADHD symptoms are important for children born between 37 and 38 weeks,” Reichman said. 

Mothers affect their kids both physically and mentally by how they interact with them. Now, researchers from the University of Houston are exploring how moms’ personal lives can affect their kids’ attachment styles. 

According to their findings, mothers who struggle with their own interpersonal relationships are more likely to have kids who develop an insecure attachment style, which can ultimately affect kids well into adulthood. 

“When mothers struggle in their own interpersonal relationships, the passing on of secure attachment and healthy relationship functioning to adolescent offspring seem to be impeded,” said researcher Carla Sharp. “Maternal interpersonal problems were associated with higher levels of insecure attachment in adolescent offspring such that adolescents would either dismiss the need for attachment with their moms or show angry preoccupation with the relationships with their moms.” 

Developing attachment issues

The researchers interviewed 351 pairs of mothers and children who were receiving inpatient psychiatric care. Children were asked specifically about their attachment to the people in their lives and the effect it has had on them. Mothers were asked to report on what they remembered about bonding with their own mothers. Both groups also answered questions about how close they felt to other people, if they struggled to feel close with other people, or if they tried too hard to please others. 

The study showed that when mothers struggled to maintain healthy interpersonal relationships – platonic, familial, or romantic – their children were more likely to have attachment issues. The researchers also found that this could be generational; mothers involved in the study who had poor experiences with their mothers were more likely to struggle in their relationships with their own kids. 

The researchers explained that all parents are hoping their children develop a secure attachment; this is when kids feel emotionally supported and connected to their parents and view them as comforting figures. However, this study highlighted the other attachment styles – insecure, dismissing, and preoccupied -- often create insecure attachments in kids.

Kids with insecure attachments will either completely reject a connection with their parents or have an unhealthy preoccupation with their relationship. Over time, this can affect mental health by increasing the risk of anxiety and depression. It can also be detrimental to social relationships and increase the risk of substance abuse. 

While many parents want to prepare their kids academically to start kindergarten, a new study conducted by researchers from Penn State suggests that sleep is an equally important factor for kindergarten readiness. 

According to the team's findings, the transition to kindergarten is likely to be easier when kids get comfortable with a consistent bedtime routine before starting school full-time. 

“We found that children who had 10 or more hours of sleep per night on a regular basis, particularly before the kindergarten year began, tended to maintain that more optimal sleep pattern across their full kindergarten year,” said researcher Doug Teti.

“This has significant implications for anyone interested in promoting healthier sleep patterns in children making the transition to first-time schooling; parents should do what they can to help their children regularly get most – if not all – of their sleep during night hours before the school year even begins.” 

The benefits of a sleep schedule

For the study, the researchers had 220 kids wear activity trackers to measure their sleep habits. They picked four one-week sessions starting in the summer months before kindergarten and then assessed sleep again in September, November, and April. The kids’ kindergarten teachers also answered questions about the children’s kindergarten preparedness and how well they transitioned into the new school year. 

The researchers found that children who got at least 10 hours of sleep each night had the most successful transition into kindergarten. The findings also showed that consistently getting this level of sleep was tied to better academic success, emotional development, and learning engagement.

The researchers noted that these benefits were only identified when kids were regularly sleeping for 10 or more hours each night. One night of not getting enough sleep, or trying to make up for lost nighttime sleep with a daytime nap, wasn’t effective.

“Good sleep hygiene appears to be just as beneficial for young children as it is for adults,” said Teti. “Establishing habits that lead to a good night’s sleep before the kindergarten year begins seems to give kids a leg up when making that transition to formal schooling."

A new study conducted by researchers from Michigan Medicine explored the harm that too much screen time can have on kids’ vision.

Their findings showed that excessive time in front of screens can increase the likelihood that children become nearsighted. However, the team says many parents aren’t aware of these risks.

“Many parents may not be aware of both the short and long-term health issues linked to excessive screen time, including its effect on children’s eyes,” said researcher Sarah Clark. “Our findings suggest that some parents may have inaccurate perceptions of activities that affect their child’s eye health and vision to minimize risks.” 

Knowledge gap surrounding screen time

The researchers surveyed over 2,000 parents who had children between the ages of three and 18. Parents answered questions about their kids’ screen time habits, their experience at the eye doctor, how much time they spend outdoors, and other lifestyle habits. 

The survey showed that just half of the parents knew about the effect that screen time can have on their kids’ vision. The researchers explained that a lot of time on devices combined with little time outdoors can increase the likelihood that kids become nearsighted. These vision problems can worsen over time and increase their risk of other complications. 

The researchers also found that less than 30% of parents reported that their kids wore blue light glasses. The team explained that blue light may not affect vision, but it can affect kids’ sleep quality. They recommend that kids stay off screens and avoid blue light within one hour before bedtime.

Eye exams and sun protection

In addition to screen time, the survey also looked at what other factors parents consider important for protecting their children’s vision. Many parents also weren’t clear on the effect of the sun on eyesight, with just two in five parents reporting that they have their kids wear sunglasses when outdoors. Experts have long suggested that parents take measures to protect their kids’ eyes when they’re out in the sun. 

“While parents often make sure their children’s skin is protected with sunscreen, they may not think about protecting their eyes from the sun as well,” said Clark. 

In this study, one in seven parents reported that their kids hadn’t been to an eye doctor in two years. However, to ensure that kids’ vision remains strong and healthy, the team encourages parents to make yearly eye doctor appointments.

“Children should get vision tests at least every two years to make sure eyes are developing properly,” Clark said. “It’s important to identify and treat vision problems as early as possible, because undiagnosed vision issues can lead to serious eye conditions in the future, including permanent vision loss.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Southampton explored how vitamin D may benefit infants. According to their findings, women who take vitamin D throughout pregnancy may help lower their babies’ risk of developing eczema. 

“We know that vitamin D can affect the immune system and the proteins that make up our skin,” said researcher Keith Godfrey. “We were interested to know if vitamin D supplements taken by pregnant women would have an impact on their child’s risk of atopic eczema. 

“Our findings showed a positive effect, which was more evident in infants that breastfed. This may reflect supplementation during pregnancy increasing the amount of vitamin D in breast milk.”  

Benefits of vitamin D

The researchers had 700 pregnant women involved in the study. Half of the women took 1,000 IU of vitamin D from the time they were 14 weeks pregnant through delivery; the other half took a placebo throughout their pregnancies. The team followed the women and their infants through pregnancy and the first four years of the infants’ lives. 

The study showed that taking vitamin D supplements helped lower the risk of atopic eczema through infants’ first 12 months of life. Ultimately, there was no link between vitamin D and eczema beyond the first year of infants’ lives. 

“We found no effect at 24 and 48 months suggesting that other postnatal influences might become more important beyond infancy or that the babies themselves might also need to be supplemented during the postnatal period for a sustained effect,” said researcher Dr. Sarah El-Heis. 

The team found that vitamin D was even more protective for infants who were breastfed than infants who were formula-fed. Breastfeeding for at least one month and taking vitamin D during pregnancy provided the lowest risk of eczema for infants involved in the study. Based on these findings, the researchers hope more women consider incorporating vitamin D supplements into their pregnancy regimens. 

“Our results showed that babies of mothers who received supplements had a lower chance of having atopic eczema at 12 months, which supports recommendations for vitamin D supplements to be routine during pregnancy,” Dr. El-Heis said. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health explored how different times of year may affect women’s reproductive health. According to their findings, women may be at a higher risk of miscarriage during the summer months as opposed to the winter months. 

“Any time you see seasonal variation in an outcome, it can give you hints about causes of that outcome,” said researcher Amelia Wesselink. “We found that miscarriage risk, particularly risk of ‘early’ miscarriage before eight weeks of gestation, was highest in the summer. Now we need to dig into that more to understand what kinds of exposures are more prevalent in the summer, and which of these exposures could explain the increased risk of miscarriage.” 

Summertime health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 6,100 women enrolled in the Pregnancy Study Online (PRESTO). The study follows women from the time of conception through six months after delivery, and the women shared information on pregnancy loss, lifestyle, medical history, and sociodemographics. 

The researchers identified a link between miscarriage risk and time of year. Women involved in the study were at a 31% higher risk of a miscarriage at any point in their pregnancy in August compared with February. The study also showed that where women lived played a role in their miscarriage risk, as women in the Midwest had a higher miscarriage risk in early September, while women in the South were at a higher risk in late August. 

This link was particularly strong for early miscarriages. In North America, the risk of a miscarriage in the first eight weeks of pregnancy was nearly 45% higher in late August than in early February. 

Though the research team plans to do more work to better understand what role the time of year plays in miscarriage risk, they believe that exposure to high temperatures may be dangerous to women’s health. 

“We know that heat is associated with higher risk of other pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery, low birth weight, and stillbirth, in particular,” said Wesselink. “Medical guidance and public health messaging – including heat action plans and climate adaptation policies – need to consider the potential effects of heat on the health of pregnant people and their babies.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia explored how teens’ experiences with cyberbullying may have detrimental effects on their mental health. Their findings showed that young people are more likely to attempt suicide and have suicidal thoughts when they’re bullied online. 

“At a time when young adolescents are spending more time online than ever before, this study underscores the negative impact that bullying in the virtual space can have on its targets,” said researcher Dr. Ran Barzilay. “Given these results, it may be prudent for primary care providers to screen for cyberbullying routinely in the same way that they might screen for other suicide risk factors like depression. Educators and parents should also be aware of the substantial stress bullying in the cyberworld places on young adolescents.” 

Mental health risks

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 U.S. children between the ages of 10 and 13 who were enrolled in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study. The kids answered questions about their experiences with cyberbullying and any history of suicidal thoughts or attempts. They also answered another survey about any traditional, offline bullying that they’d experienced or engaged in. 

The study showed that children who experienced cyberbullying were at a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts and attempting suicide. Nearly 9% of the group reported a history of cyberbullying, while 7.6% of the kids reported dealing with suicidality in some way. 

One interesting note from the study is that kids who were bullied online weren’t necessarily being bullied in person. The study showed that traditional bullying also differed from cyberbullying in how it affected the bullies. While those who cyberbullied others weren’t affected from a mental health perspective, offline bullies and targets of offline bullying were likely to struggle with suicidal thoughts and attempts. 

The researchers also found that children who were victims of cyberbullying were likely to struggle with mental health regardless of outside factors, such as school environment, family conflict, racial discrimination, parental relationships, and negative life events. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that experts utilize these findings to improve suicide prevention strategies for young people. 

“Our findings suggest being a target of cyberbullying is an independent risk factor for youth suicidality,” said Barzilay. “For policymakers wishing to optimize youth suicide prevention efforts, this study should further encourage interventions for those who are being bullied online.” 

A new study conducted by the researchers from the University of Virginia Health System explored the new safe-sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. The goal of the new recommendations – which encourage parents to keep infants on their backs on flat, level surfaces to sleep – is to protect infants from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). 

“The best way to protect your baby while they are asleep is to follow these guidelines,” said researcher Dr. Rachel Moon. “When you place your baby for sleep, they should be on their back in a crib, portable crib, or bassinet that meets Consumer Product Safety Commission standards, and there should be nothing but the baby in the crib.” 

Promoting safe sleep habits

Experts say parents need to do everything possible to make their babies’ sleeping environment as safe as possible and that their recommendations will help guide those efforts. 

Keeping infants on their backs to sleep isn’t a new recommendation, but the researchers are reinforcing the importance of this sleeping position. They also say parents should avoid putting any stuffed animals, pillows, or blankets in the crib or bassinet with their babies.

While many infants are likely to fall asleep in their car seats or strollers, the team says this shouldn’t be a habit. Infants – especially those under four months old – shouldn’t be regularly sleeping on anything inclined. 

They also explained that breastfeeding and using pacifiers were linked with lower levels of SIDS. 

What to avoid

The recommendations highlight a few other things that parents should avoid when creating sleeping habits for their infants. For starters, any items that are marketed toward reducing the risk of SIDS are likely to be ineffective. They noted that there is no official evidence that any such products can be protective of infants’ health. 

Additionally, they recommend that parents stop swaddling when their babies are around three or four months old. Once they start becoming more mobile, swaddling can be dangerous and increase the risk of suffocation. 

The researchers hope these guidelines help parents keep their infants safe and reduce some of the worries around proper sleeping habits. 

“These recommendations are consistent with prior guidelines, with some updates based on new information,” said researcher Dr. Fern Hauck. “We want to reach new parents, grandparents, and other infant caregivers so that everyone is aware about how best to keep their baby safe. We also want parents to know that it is important to speak to your baby’s doctor about the guidelines and have an open discussion so that you can share your thoughts and make the best choices in caring for your baby.”

A new study conducted by researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine explored some of the pregnancy risks for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). According to their findings, pregnant women with the hormone condition may be at a higher risk for cardiovascular issues during delivery. 

“Oftentimes, women with PCOS are understandably concerned about the immediate effects of, like an irregular menstrual cycle, excess body hair, weight gain, and acne,” said researcher Dr. Erin Michos. “However, the long-term cardiovascular complications are also a serious problem.” 

The risk of pregnancy complications

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 17 million births between 2002 and 2019. The team broke down how many women had PCOS while pregnant. 

Among the more than 195,000 women who had PCOS at the time of delivery, it was clear that there was a link between PCOS and cardiovascular complications during pregnancy. Blood clots proved to be the biggest risk: Women with PCOS were more than 80% more likely to develop a blood clot during delivery. There was a nearly 80% higher risk for a weakened heart, a 76% higher risk of heart failure, and a 56% higher risk of preeclampsia. Women with PCOS were also twice as likely to have abnormal heartbeats at the time of delivery. 

It’s also important to note that there were other health and demographic factors that came into play for pregnant women with PCOS. The researchers learned that Black women with PCOS were at a higher risk of heart complications during delivery, while all women with PCOS were more likely to be obese, have high cholesterol, and struggle with diabetes. 

Moving forward, the researchers hope that these findings highlight the associated long-term heart health risks that are prevalent among women with PCOS. 

“Our study shows that PCOS is indeed a risk factor for acute cardiac complications at the time of delivery and should be taken seriously,” said researcher Salman Zahid. “We want to stress the importance of optimizing the cardiovascular health of women with PCOS with prevention efforts, especially Black women and lower socioeconomic groups because we believe that those are the most vulnerable populations and will benefit most from intervention.” 

Government safety regulators are warning parents not to use a popular infant-to-toddler rocker because at least 13 infants have died in one between 2009 and 2021.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Fisher-Price jointly issued an alert to consumers saying the products should never be used for sleep and children should never be left in one without supervision.

The products in question are the Fisher-Price Infant-to-Toddler Rockers and Newborn-to-Toddler Rockers.

Fisher-Price says it has sold more than 17 million of the rockers worldwide since the 1990s and reviews and evaluates reported incidents that occurred while infants were in the products. The company said parents and other caregivers should visit Fisher-Price’s Safe Start webpage for safety videos, tips, and additional safety information, as well as the latest safety warnings for rockers and other infant products. 

Consumers are also encouraged to report incidents to Fisher-Price at 800-432-5437.

Suffocation risk

Products designed to hold infants have long been a concern because of the risk of suffocation. Babies who are unable to move when placed in a rocker, swing, or glider can suffocate if they end up face down.

In 2018 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that parents were still engaging in risky infant sleep practices that were resulting in deaths. At the time, the CDC reported deaths due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) had reached an annual average of about 3,500 a year.

Pediatricians say the best place for an infant to sleep is on a firm, flat surface in a crib, bassinet, or play yard. Parents and caregivers should use a fitted sheet only and never add blankets, pillows, padded crib bumpers, or other items to an infant’s sleeping environment.

Infants should always be placed to sleep on their back. Infants who fall asleep in an inclined or upright position should be moved to a safe sleep environment with a firm, flat surface such as a crib, bassinet, or play yard.

CPSC recently finalized a rule requiring that infant sleep products have a sleep surface angle of 10 degrees or less. The rule goes into effect next week.

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan explored the long-term risks associated with parents spanking their children. According to their findings, children who are spanked may be more likely to become victims of physical abuse. 

“Nearly one-third of children under five in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) experience spanking,” the researchers wrote. “Studies from North America suggest that spanking is associated with heightened risk of physical abuse.” 

Understanding the risks of spanking

For the study, the researchers analyzed over 156,000 responses to the UNICEF Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys. All of the children involved in the study were between the ages of 1 and 4, and they came from 56 LMICs around the world. 

The biggest takeaway from the study was that spanking children was linked with a higher risk of physical abuse. The risk of physical abuse for children who weren’t spanked was under 10%, whereas the risk of physical abuse was 22% for children who were spanked. 

The team created a hypothetical model of 100 children to better understand the impact that spanking can have on their physical well-being. Based on their findings, approximately 32 of the 100 hypothetical children were spanked; physical abuse would then be prevalent in seven of those 32 children. 

The team noted that physical abuse would affect four fewer children in the hypothetical model if spanking was eliminated. In the national population, eliminating spanking would lower the risk of physical abuse by over 30%. 

“Child welfare advocates should discourage caregivers from using spanking, in order to prevent physical abuse,” the researchers wrote. 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of California Los Angeles explored some of the risks that pregnant women face when exposed to air pollution.

According to their study conducted on mice, women who are exposed to air pollutants during pregnancy may have a higher risk of complications that affect their health and their babies’ health. 

“The cellular changes we have observed could provide the missing link between exposure to air pollutants and adverse pregnancy outcomes, thereby helping to focus development of preventive strategies for at-risk pregnancies,” said researcher Dr. Sherin Devaskar. 

Pollution may affect the placenta

The researchers divided female mice into two groups for the study: one group was nasally exposed to pollutants two months before conception and then throughout pregnancy; the second group was exposed to saline. The team analyzed tissue samples from both groups to understand what effect pollution could have on pregnant women and their babies. 

The study showed that the mice exposed to the pollution were affected on a cellular level and that the impact can affect health outcomes for mothers and infants.

As pollution enters the lungs, the immune system is activated in an unhealthy way that can ultimately affect the placenta. The researchers explained that this immune response can lead to a loss of vascular cells in the placenta, which could affect the food and nutrient supply going to the baby. It can also increase the risk for serious pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia and preterm birth. 

The researchers also observed that exposure to pollution during pregnancy was associated with inflammation in the lining of the uterus. 

While the researchers plan to do more work in this area to better understand the precise dynamics behind air pollution exposure and pregnancy risks, they say these findings highlight some specific ways that pollutants can affect pregnant women and their babies. 

Recent studies have highlighted the effects that maternal stress during pregnancy can have on infants’ development. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology have found that having older siblings can lead to better behavior and stronger development in young children. The findings remained true even when children were exposed to their mothers’ stress in utero. 

“In the first years of their lives, children develop the cognitive, social, and emotional skills that will provide the foundations for their lifelong health and achievements,” the researchers explained. “To increase their life prospects and reduce the long-term effects of early aversive conditions, it is therefore crucial to understand the risk factors that negatively affect child development and the factors that are instead beneficial. 

“Overall, our results confirm the negative effects that maternal stress during pregnancy may have on the offspring, and suggest an important main effect of older siblings in promoting a positive child development.” 

Benefits of siblings

The researchers had nearly 400 mother-child pairs answer questions about behavior, development, and stress. The team followed the women and their children from pregnancy until their children were 10 years old. They also took into account social and environmental factors that could affect stress levels and the role that siblings played on children’s developmental and behavioral outcomes. 

The study showed that women who reported higher levels of stress during pregnancy were more likely to report that their children struggled with behavior once they reached seven years old. They found that many of the mothers reported feeling tense, worried, and experienced a loss of joy during pregnancy. Over time, this translated to poorer behavioral outcomes for their children. 

“These results confirm previous findings about the negative impact that even mild forms of prenatal stress might have on child behavior, even after several years, and highlight the importance of early intervention policies that increase maternal well-being and reduce the risks of maternal stress already during pregnancy,” said researcher Federica Amici. 

However, a positive takeaway from this study was that children who had older siblings were more likely to have better behavioral and developmental outcomes regardless of their mothers’ stress levels. The team explained that interactions with older siblings can give kids important social tools. These sibling social dynamics may also help improve kids’ emotional development and problem-solving skills. 

“We were especially impressed by the important role that siblings appear to play for a healthy child development,” said researcher Anja Widdig. “We hope that our findings will draw attention to the importance of public health policies that directly target children and their siblings, and promote a healthy environment for their well-being and the development of high-quality sibling relationships.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from NYU Langone Health explored the efficacy of different fertility treatments. According to their findings, women who freeze their eggs when they’re younger may have more success having a baby later in life than women who opt for IVF. 

“Our findings shed light on the factors that track with successful births from egg freezing, which include careful screenings of embryos to be thawed and implanted,” said researcher Dr. Sarah Druckenmiller Cascante. “A better understanding of the live birth rate from egg freezing for age-related fertility decline is necessary to inform patient decision-making. 

“Importantly, our study is based on actual clinical experience, rather than mathematical modeling with limited data, which is most of what has been published on the chances of birth from egg freezing thus far.” 

Success of egg freezing

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from over 540 women who froze their eggs at an average age of 38. Between 2005 and 2020, the group went through 800 rounds of egg freezing, 605 egg thaws, and 436 embryo transfers. 

Ultimately, the study showed that nearly 40% of the women who froze their eggs between the ages of 27 and 44 years old were successful at having at least one child. While this figure is comparable to women who undergo IVF treatment, the researchers noted that egg freezing becomes a more successful option as women get older. 

The researchers cited data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that shows less than 20% of 40-year-old women delivered babies through IVF. However, this study showed that women who froze their eggs – even later in life – had better pregnancy outcomes.

Regardless of age, women who thawed over 20 eggs were nearly 60% likely to have a successful pregnancy and birth; women who thawed over 20 eggs under the age of 38 had a 70% success rate for pregnancy and birth. The study also included data on 14 women who froze their eggs between the ages of 41 and 43, and these women had healthy pregnancies and deliveries. 

“Our results provide realistic expectations for those considering oocyte preservation, and demonstrate that egg freezing technology empowers women with improved reproductive autonomy,” said researcher Dr. James A. Grifo. “Freezing eggs at a young age becomes an option to be one’s own egg donor at advanced age. As young patients freeze eggs and do more than one cycle, the success rates will be even higher than reported in this study.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology explored the link between breastfeeding and asthma. According to their findings, babies have a lower chance of developing asthma when their mothers breastfeed them for longer. 

“The results of the study indicated that the longer a mother exclusively breastfed, the lower the relative odds of her child having asthma, or asthma-related outcomes,” said researcher Dr. Keandra Wilson. 

Long-term respiratory benefits

The researchers analyzed data from over 2,000 mother-child pairs who were enrolled in the ECHO PATHWAYS studies. The mothers reported how they fed their children -- including breastfeeding, formula, and juice -- and how long they gave their children each option. The team followed up with the mothers when the children were between the ages of 4 and 6 and asked them about their children’s asthma outcomes. 

The team discovered a link between the duration that the women breastfed their babies and a lower risk of asthma. 

“There was a ‘dose-response’ effect depending on how long the mother breastfed: Babies that were breastfed 2-4 months had only 64% likelihood of having as many asthma outcomes as those who were breastfed less than 2 months; those breastfed for 5-6 months had 61% likelihood, and those who breastfed for more than 6 months had a 52% likelihood,” Dr. Wilson said. 

While breastfeeding proved to have some protective respiratory benefits, the researchers learned that not all feeding options yielded the same outcomes. There was no lower risk of asthma outcomes observed when women either supplemented breastfeeding with formula or added in juice or other foods. 

“Asthma runs in families, and according to the CDC, if a child has a parent with asthma, they are three to six times more likely to develop this condition than someone who does not have a parent with asthma,” said researcher Dr. Angela Hogan. “Anything a parent can do to lower the odds of their child getting asthma is worth considering.” 

The baby formula shortage is getting some much-needed relief thanks to the White House and FedEx. The assistance is part of the “Operation Fly Formula” effort, a Biden administration initiative that is designed to get as much baby formula on store shelves as soon as possible.

It’s been a busy week for FedEx’s network of long-haul pilots and express truck drivers. On Sunday, the company delivered its first airlift of formula – 114 pallets of Gerber Good Start Extensive HA that was flown in from Ramstein Air Base in Germany. On Wednesday, another FedEx plane flew from Germany with an additional 100,000 pounds – or about 1 million 8-ounce bottles – of Gerber formula. The shipment was offloaded and moved onto FedEx Express trucks for transport to a Nestle distribution center in Pennsylvania.

FedEx stated that it remains engaged with the Biden administration to provide logistics and transportation support as needed for Operation Fly Formula.

Transporting formula quickly

FedEx is involved with the effort because the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have the authority to use Department of Defense-contracted commercial aircraft to pick up formula overseas and bring it to the U.S. 

“Our network was designed for missions like this – to move time-sensitive shipments safely and quickly,” said Gina Adams, Senior Vice President for Government and Regulatory Affairs, at FedEx. “The FedEx Express integrated air and ground network expedited the movement of baby formula from manufacturers overseas to the United States for distribution to retail locations and hospitals throughout the country. We’re proud to be working with the U.S. government and our healthcare customers to help alleviate this crisis.”

"Typically, the process to transport this product from Europe to the U.S. would take two weeks,” explained White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “Thanks to Operation Fly Formula, we cut that down to approximately three days. This is a testament of the president's commitment to pulling every lever to get more infant formula onto the market."

The White House is prepared to do more

President Biden has said he will direct his administration to take whatever actions are deemed necessary to ensure there is enough safe infant formula for U.S. families.

His options include invoking the Defense Production Act, entering into a consent agreement with the FDA to reopen Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis facility, and issuing guidance to permit major formula manufacturers to import formula that is not currently being produced for the U.S. market.

Same-sex couples face a lot of social and legislative stress, and a new study conducted by researchers from the University of Cologne explored how this can affect their kids. The findings show that kids are likely to develop well socially, regardless of their parents’ stress. 

“The new findings clearly show that same-sex families have strong resilience strategies to protect their children from prevailing legal hurdles and societal rejection,” said researcher Dr. Mirjam Fischer.

“For example, parents create an environment in which their children receive appreciation and recognition from others and where other same-sex families provide positive role models. However, it should not be necessary in the first place that parents have to develop these strategies.” 

Kids’ behavior is likely to remain solid

For the study, the researchers compared data from the Dutch national register on 62 kids from same-sex parents and 72 kids from different-sex parents. Parents were between the ages of 30 and 65, and children were between the ages of 6 and 16 years old. The parents completed surveys about their children’s behavior, relationships with other kids, emotional adjustment, hyperactivity, social behavior, and more. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that there were no developmental differences between children from same-sex and different-sex parents. Both groups of kids were ranked similarly by their parents when it came to important social and emotional areas. 

Though many same-sex couples may deal with struggles socially and emotionally, this study showed that those same concerns aren’t passed down to their children. The researchers explained that these results are positive, as the type of stress felt by many same-sex couples may lead to both physical and mental health struggles. Based on these findings, parents may not need to worry about how their stress is affecting their kids. 

The team hopes that more work is done to show the similarities between children of same-sex and different-sex parents. They believe that the goal moving forward should be to have resources in place for same-sex parents who may be struggling with various stressors. 

Parents who are looking for ways to get their children outside and active this summer may have a new reason to redouble those efforts. Findings from a recent study suggest that engaging in "adventurous" playtime can help children develop better mental health. 

Helen Dodd, the lead researcher of the study and a professor of child psychology at the University of Exeter, says investing in ways to promote adventurous play can only benefit children in the long run. 

"We're more concerned than ever about children's mental health, and our findings highlight that we might be able to help protect children's mental health by ensuring they have plentiful opportunities for adventurous play," she said. 

"This is really positive because play is free, instinctive and rewarding for children, available to everyone, and doesn't require special skills."

Countering effects of COVID-19 lockdowns

The researchers came to their conclusions after surveying 2,500 parents about their young children's play activities, mental health before the COVID-19 pandemic, and mood during the first COVID-19 lockdown.

The team found that children who were able to spend more time playing adventurously outside had fewer problems linked to anxiety and depression and a more positive outlook during the first lockdown. The team said these results were consistent across a range of factors like age, sex, and family finances.

"This important research shows that this is even more vital to help children thrive after all they have missed out on during the Covid-19 restrictions. More play means more happiness and less anxiety and depression," said Dan Paskins, the director of the UK Impact at Save the Children.

What is adventurous play?

The researchers point out that there are several activities that children can engage in that qualify as "adventurous play." Some of them include:

• Camping out overnight;
• Swimming or paddling in a river or lake;
• Jumping from a swing;
• Creating obstacle courses inside or outside; and 
• Exploring woods alone or with a friend.

"This research emphasises the importance of adventurous play. Children and young people need freedom and opportunities to encounter challenge and risk in their everyday playful adventures," said Jacqueline O'Loughlin, CEO or PlayBoard NI. 

"It is clear from the research findings that playing, taking risks and experiencing excitement outdoors makes a positive contribution to children's mental health and emotional well-being. The rewards of allowing children to self-regulate and manage challenge in their play are widespread and far-reaching. Adventurous play helps children to build the resilience needed to cope with, and manage stress in challenging circumstances."

The full study has been published in the journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development.

A new study conducted by researchers from the Endocrine Society explored the effect that stress can have on women’s fertility. The researchers learned that higher exposure to stress made it harder for female mice to get pregnant. 

“We examined the effect of stress on ovarian reserve using a scream sound model in rats,” said researcher Wenyan Xi, Ph.D. “We found that female rats exposed to the scream sound had diminished ovarian reserve and decreased fertility.” 

How stress affects fertility

For the study, the researchers divided up female mice into three groups for three weeks – one group was exposed to white noise, one group was exposed to background noise, and a third group was exposed to a screaming sound. The team analyzed the effect that the different sounds and the stress had on the number and quality of the mice’s eggs, their ability to get pregnant, and their sex hormones. 

The researchers learned that exposure to the screaming sound, which caused a spike in stress levels, had a negative effect on the mice’s fertility. They had higher cortisol levels, which in turn created lower levels of two important reproductive hormones – Anti-Mullerian hormones and estrogen. The former is responsible for the production of reproductive organs, while the latter aids in reproductive development. 

The team hopes these findings emphasize the fertility risks associated with higher stress levels. 

“Based on these findings, we suggest stress may be associated with diminished ovarian reserve,” said Dr. Xi. “It is important to determine an association between chronic stress and ovarian reserve because doing so may expand our appreciation of the limitations of current clinical interventions and provide valuable insight into the cause of diminished ovarian reserve.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored how parents’ financial concerns may impact their infants’ sleep. According to their findings, babies may be more likely to have poor sleep when their parents struggle to afford diapers. 

“Sleep promotes brain development and solidifies learning and memory,” said researcher Sallie Porter. “Children with compromised sleep are more at risk for childhood obesity and emotional and behavioral problems.” 

Poor sleep can yield long-term effects

For the study, the researchers surveyed nearly 130 parents of children under the age of three. They answered questions about their financial hardship, diaper needs, and their infants’ sleeping habits. This included information on their perception of their children’s sleeping habits, general sleeping problems, how long it typically takes their babies to fall asleep, how often their babies wake up in the middle of the night, and any struggles they experience with sleep and their bedtime routine. 

Ultimately, one-third of the participants were short on diapers each month, while more than 75% said they were short on diapers at least once per year. Nearly 90% of the parents also said they were food insecure. 

This lack of diapers was found to be linked with poorer overall sleep outcomes. When parents struggled to provide diapers, they reported that their infants slept less, woke up more throughout the night, and had generally poorer sleep on a regular basis. 

This financial burden also affected how parents viewed their infants’ sleep. The more that parents struggled to provide diapers, the poorer their perception was of their kids’ sleeping habits. 

The researchers explained that a lack of sleep affects infants’ health and development long-term, and struggling to afford diapers can negatively affect parents’ mental health. The team hopes pediatricians work with families in need of diapers and help direct them toward resources that can help them. 

“Approximately one-third of U.S. mothers report difficulty affording diapers, and prevalence during the COVID-19 pandemic is likely much higher,” said Porter. “Diaper need is associated with an increased incidence of irritated skin and urinary tract infections. It is also related to increased maternal mental health symptoms.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from St. John’s College and the University of Cambridge explored the health benefits of parents finding out the sex of their baby. 

According to the findings, knowing the sex of a baby before giving birth may reveal important health information, as carrying male babies has been linked with complications. Having a treatment plan before delivery can ensure that women are making lifestyle choices that are best suited to their health. 

“Often parents don’t want to know the baby’s sex because they want it to be a surprise,” said researcher Dr. Amanda Sferruzzi-Perri. “But actually knowing the sex would help to identify whether a pregnancy may be at greater risk of than another because we know that some conditions of pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction can be more prevalent in women that carry male babies than females.

“We don’t quite know 100 percent why that is but it might be related to the fact that male babies grow faster in the womb. So it might be that their demands for nutrients and oxygen supplied from the mother through the placenta can easily become limited, so the male baby may not be receiving all that it really wants and needs to grow to its full capacity. It may be that its resilience against stresses or poor conditions in pregnancy may be lower than say, for females, who have got less requirements.”  

How babies’ gender affects pregnancy health

The researchers conducted their study on pregnant mice to better understand how knowing the sex of infants can inform health care during pregnancy. The team was primarily focused on mitochondria, which is where the placenta gets its energy from. They looked at how changes to mitochondria affected the mice’s health during pregnancy. 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that the mice exhibited differences in their placenta function when they were carrying male babies versus female babies. The placenta had better function when the mice were carrying lighter female babies, as opposed to heavier male babies. 

“The placenta has an amazing skill in changing how it forms and how it functions,” said Dr. Sferruzzi-Perri. “This can be seen at multiple levels from the way in which the cells form in the placenta, its genes and proteins, even its mitochondria. These can all change in response to different types of cues, whether it’s in a mother that has been eating sugary, fatty diet, or in a pregnancy where there is rivalry between the siblings when there’s more than one baby, but what I think is probably the most novel aspect is that the way the placenta does adapt seems to depend on whether the baby’s female or male.” 

Staying healthy during pregnancy

Based on these findings, the researchers hope more pregnant women find out the sex of their babies before delivery in order to create treatment plans that are specifically designed for them and their health. The goal is to have more therapies in place that would directly target the placenta and improve the health of women and their babies. 

“These therapies would increase the way in which the placenta functions, how it develops, even how at the level of its mitochondria it produces energy to support fetal growth,” Dr. Sferruzzi-Perri said. “A lot of this groundwork is reinforcing to us that the placenta is fundamental for healthy pregnancy outcomes, and that fetal sex is important. But by looking at the different sorts of genes, proteins, and cellular mechanisms, we might identify targets that could be like biomarkers and specifically targeted in the placenta to improve outcomes for mothers and their babies.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Bath explored how consumers divide household chores between mothers and fathers. Their findings showed that married mothers who have higher salaries than their husbands are also more likely to take on more of the household responsibilities. 

“Of course, we understand why specialized division of labor exists, but there is no reason for this specialization to be gender-specific,” said researcher Dr. Joanna Syrda. “Traditional division has been conventionally explained by men earning more and working longer hours and has a certain logical appeal. 

“However, I found that the gender housework gap actually gets bigger for mothers who earned more than their spouses – the more they earned over their partner, the more housework they did."

Income impacts household duties

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics from 1999 through 2017. This included long-term information on more than 6,600 couples across the U.S. 

While society has moved past some traditional gender norms, the researchers identified an interesting trend among heterosexual couples when it comes to income and household chores. Married mothers who made more money than their husbands were also more likely to take on the bulk of household responsibilities. 

“Married couples that fail to replicate the traditional division of income may be perceived – both by themselves and others – to be deviating from the norm,” Dr. Syrda. “What may be happening is that, when men earn less than women, couples neutralize this by increasing traditionality through housework – in other words, wives do more and husbands do less as they try to offset this ‘abnormal’ situation by leaning into other conventional gender norms.” 

The researchers learned that this trend wasn’t as strong among unmarried partners who lived in the same house compared to those who were married. Moving forward, the team hopes these findings can help couples understand their dynamics and hopefully prevent future conflicts. 

“This is important, because how couples divide the increased domestic workload after becoming parents will be an important determinant of earnings inequalities between women and men over the course of their lives – a pattern once settled upon is often difficult to renegotiate,” Dr. Syrda said. “And these norms may be passed to their children.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from University College London explored the mental health benefits associated with teens participating in artistic activities. 

Their work showed that engaging in activities like dance, orchestras, and acting, among several others, was linked with less antisocial and criminalized behaviors. Teens were also more likely to report better well-being and mental health when participating in these groups. 

“Past research has shown that getting involved in the arts can have a big impact on teenagers’ mental health and well-being,” said researcher Dr. Daisy Fancourt. “Our study adds to evidence about the wide-ranging benefits that arts and culture can have for young people, demonstrating a positive link between the arts and a lower prevalence of antisocial behavior.

“Notably, these findings remained, even when taking into account factors such as children’s age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic background, their parents’ educational background, where they lived, and their previous patterns of antisocial behavior.” 

Mental health benefits of artistic activities

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 25,000 teens enrolled in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and the National Educational Longitudinal Study. Participants and their parents reported on their involvement in arts and culture activities, and the team assessed their mental health and well-being at several points over the course of the study. 

“Our definition of arts and cultural engagement was very broad,” said researcher Dr. Jess Bone. “It included dancing and acting in school clubs, reading, going to cinemas, museums, concerts, and music classes, as well as other hobbies that teenagers took part in regularly.” 

Ultimately, the researchers learned that there was a positive correlation between participating in artistic activities and reduced antisocial and criminal behaviors. Teens were less likely to sell drugs, misbehave in school, or get into fights. They also reported viewing these behaviors in a negative light and reported stronger self-control. 

Overall, teens had better overall mental health and well-being when they spent more time involved with the arts. This was true even one and two years removed from participating in such activities. 

“Finding ways to reduce antisocial behavior among teenagers is important because these behaviors may become established and continue into adulthood, affecting someone’s whole life,” said Dr. Bone. “Our findings demonstrate the importance of making arts and cultural activities available for all young people, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has limited access to and funding for these resources.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from the University of Otago explored how kids can benefit from their parents sharing memories with them.

The team explained that when parents are coached on how to discuss memories with their children, it helps them develop a better sense of identity and overall well-being as they grow and develop. 

“Our findings suggest that brief coaching sessions with parents early in children’s lives can have long-lasting benefits, both for the way adolescents process and talk about difficult life events and for their well-being,” said researcher Elaine Reese. 

“We believe parents’ elaborative reminiscing helps children develop more complete, specific, and accurate memories of their experiences, providing a richer store of memories to use when forming their identities in adolescence. Elaborative reminiscing also teaches children how to have open discussions about past feelings when they’re no longer in the heat of the moment.” 

Genuine conversations can benefit kids

For the study, the researchers evaluated the results from an ongoing trial that followed 115 mothers and their children. When the study began, the mothers were chosen to either participate in a training that taught them how to engage in elaborative reminiscing with their kids or to be in a control group with no training. The mothers underwent this training when their babies were one, and the team then tracked how this impacted their well-being 14 years later. 

The researchers learned that children of mothers who participated in the elaborative reminiscing training had marked improvements in well-being. By talking through some of the more simple memories of childhood, kids were better able to discuss some of the more difficult events they’d experienced by the time they were teenagers. 

“As a parent of a toddler myself, I can confirm that these elaborate reminiscing techniques are enjoyable and easy to learn,” said researcher Dr. Claire Mitchell. “Our study helps pave the way for future work with parents of young children to promote healthy interactions from the beginning that could have enduring benefits.” 

Talking through memories is helpful

The study found that talking through memories during childhood helped give kids a better sense of themselves during their teenage years. The researchers also found that these kids had fewer emotional difficulties and better overall well-being. 

Moving forward, the team hopes these findings spark more conversations between parents and their children and also work to improve mental health and wellness for adolescents. 

“The ultimate goal is to encourage parents to have more sensitive and responsive conversations about events in their lives,” said Dr. Mitchell. “For some young people, this dip is the beginning of more severe mental health issues that can be difficult to treat. Thus, it is important to find ways to prevent mental health difficulties earlier in life if possible.” 

Several studies have highlighted the ways that screens can negatively impact kids’ sleeping habits. Now, researchers from the University of Colorado at Boulder explored how even minimal light exposure may be detrimental to kids’ sleep. 

According to their findings, dim lighting before bedtime may affect preschoolers’ production of melatonin and disrupt their regular sleeping patterns. 

“Our previous work showed that one, fairly high intensity of bright light before bedtime dampens melatonin levels by about 90% in young children,” said researcher Lauren Hartstein. “With this study, we were very surprised to find high melatonin suppression across all intensities of light, even dim ones.” 

Keeping lights off near bedtime

For the study, the researchers had 36 children between the ages of three and five participate in a nine-day experiment. The children stayed on a strict sleeping schedule for the first seven nights; this allowed them to develop stable melatonin levels. On the eighth night, the kids’ rooms were transformed to be completely dark, and they had their saliva sampled every half hour from noon through bedtime. On the last night, the kids played on a light table an hour before bedtime. Each night of the study, the kids wore a watch that tracked their light exposure and sleep. 

The researchers learned that exposure to the light from the table significantly affected the children’s ability to produce melatonin. Compared to the second to last night of the experiment when the children’s rooms were darkened, the light from the table suppressed melatonin production anywhere from 70% to 99%. 

The researchers tested out different brightness levels on the last night of the study when the children were playing on the table. Even for children who had the tablets set to the dimmest levels, their melatonin production dropped by nearly 80%. For half of these kids, this light exposure before bed halted their melatonin production for the next hour. 

“Together, our findings indicate that in preschool-aged children, exposure to light before bedtime, even at low intensities, results in robust and sustained melatonin suppression,” said Hartstein.  

Adopting healthy bedtime habits

From a biological perspective, the researchers explained that children’s eyes are more susceptible to light because their pupils are larger than adults’ pupils. This can certainly play a role when it comes to light exposure before bedtime. 

While it’s nearly impossible for parents to eliminate all forms of light for their kids before going to sleep, the researchers hope this study helps inform families about the things they can adjust to help encourage healthy sleep.

“Kids are not just little adults,” said researcher Monique LeBourgeois. “This heightened sensitivity to light may make them even more susceptible to dysregulation of sleep and the circadian system.” 

A new study conducted by researchers from Rutgers University explored how a commonly-used chemical – phthalates – may impact women’s and infants’ health during pregnancy. 

According to their findings, exposure to phthalates, which are found in everything from personal care products to electronics, may affect women’s hormone levels during pregnancy. The team warns that this may have an effect on both women’s health and infants’ development. 

“We are all exposed to phthalates in our environment through the products we use and the foods we eat,” said researcher Emily S. Barrett. “Our findings show that these chemicals may alter the production of essential placental hormones, which has important implications for the course of pregnancy as well as subsequent child health and development.” 

Identifying risks to healthy hormone levels

To better understand the potential pregnancy risks related to phthalate exposure, the researchers analyzed data from over 1,100 women enrolled in the Conditions Affecting Neurocognitive Development and Learning in Early Childhood (CANDLE) study. They closely monitored the women’s exposure to phthalates throughout their pregnancies and evaluated their placental corticotropin-releasing hormone (pCRH) levels. This hormone affects maternal and infant health throughout pregnancy, and higher levels may indicate certain pregnancy complications. 

The researchers identified a connection between the women’s exposure to phthalates and changes to their pCRH levels, with higher levels of exposure being linked to higher pCRH levels. The chemical posed the biggest risk to women with other pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure or gestational diabetes. 

The researchers explained that pCRH is responsible for several important processes throughout pregnancy, including starting the process of labor and delivery. However, when levels spike, it puts women and their infants at an increased risk for complications. Women may be more susceptible to postpartum depression and high blood pressure, while infants may struggle with healthy growth and development. 

Now, the goal is to continue doing research in this area to better understand how women can best protect themselves during pregnancy. 

“Associations between phthalates and pCRH among women with pregnancy complications grew stronger across the course of pregnancy,” said Barrett. “We know very little about how women with pregnancy complications are affected by environmental exposures. This study sets the stage for future research in that area.” 

Recent studies have found that breastfeeding may come with health benefits for women, including a lower risk of postpartum depression or cognitive decline. Now, researchers from the American Heart Association have found that breastfeeding may also lower the risk of heart disease and related deaths. 

“Previous studies have investigated the association between breastfeeding and the risk of cardiovascular disease in the mother; however, the findings were inconsistent on the strength of the association and, specifically, the relationship between different durations of breastfeeding and cardiovascular disease risk,” said researcher Dr. Peter Willeit. “Therefore, it was important to systematically review the available literature and mathematically combine all of the evidence on this topic.” 

Heart health benefits of breastfeeding

The researchers analyzed eight studies conducted in countries around the world, which included data on over 1.2 million women. They tracked the women’s breastfeeding history and their heart health.

The researchers learned that a history of breastfeeding was linked with several protective health benefits. Women who breastfed were 11% less likely to develop cardiovascular disease and 17% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. Similarly, breastfeeding was linked with a 12% lower risk of stroke and a 14% lower risk of coronary heart disease. 

“It’s important for women to be aware of the benefits of breastfeeding for their babies’ health and also their own personal health,” Dr. Willeit said. “Moreover, these findings from high-quality studies conducted around the world highlight the need to encourage and support breastfeeding, such as breastfeeding-friendly work environments, and breastfeeding education and programs for families before and after giving birth.” 

The number of times women gave birth or their age when they gave birth had no correlation on the relationship between breastfeeding and heart health. However, breastfeeding for at least one year was associated with the best heart health outcomes. 

While many women know the infant health benefits of breastfeeding, the researchers hope these findings emphasize the health benefits that come from breastfeeding for mothers. 

“Raising awareness regarding the multifaceted benefits of breastfeeding could be particularly helpful to those mothers who are debating breast versus bottle feeding,” said researcher Dr. Shelley Miyamoto. “It should be particularly empowering for a mother to know that by breastfeeding she is providing the optimal nutrition for her baby while simultaneously lowering her personal risk of heart disease.”