Published Grandparent childcare may not help the wellbeing of mums or reduce mother-child conflict, study suggests
(via sciencedaily.com) Grandparent childcare for toddlers doesn’t have an impact on the wellbeing of their mothers, a new study suggests.
Published Family planning and the fear of missing out
(via sciencedaily.com) Among regretful parents, fear of missing out is a key motivator for having children.
Published Young children do better at school if their dads read and play with them
(via sciencedaily.com) Fathers can give their children an educational advantage at primary school by reading, drawing and playing with them, according to a newly published report.
Published Exposure to plasticizers in pregnancy associated with smaller volumetric measures in the brain and lower IQ in children
(via sciencedaily.com) A study with 775 mother-child pairs in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) finds an association with maternal exposure to certain plasticizers (phthalates) and smaller volumetric measures in the brain of children as well as lower IQ at age 14
Published Understanding and treating pain in children
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source It is often hard to understand the source of pain in babies and children, and if they experience it often or for a long time, it can do severe damage.
Published Eureka baby! Groundbreaking study uncovers origin of 'conscious awareness'
(via sciencedaily.com) Fundamental questions of agency -- acting with purpose -- have perplexed some of the greatest minds in history including Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin. Now, human babies provide groundbreaking insight into the origins of agency. Since goal-directed action appears in the first months of human life, researchers used young infants as a test field to understand how spontaneous movement transforms into purposeful action. The 'birth' of agency can be quantified as a 'eureka-like,' pattern-changing phase transition within a dynamical system that spans the baby, the brain, and the environment.
Published Early treatment of child obesity is effective
(via sciencedaily.com) The early treatment of obesity in children is effective in both the short and long term, researchers report.
Published Benefits, risks in state-mandated school-based BMI assessments
(via sciencedaily.com) A resource economist finds mandated in-school Body Mass Index assessments adopted in varying forms by 24 states to combat childhood obesity have the potential to improve the health of some students while introducing body-image issues for others. The research is believed to be the first to assess these policies as a whole, rather than in single states or school districts.
Published Sleep-wake therapy gives new hope for teens with depression
(via sciencedaily.com) School systems aren't built for kids who fall asleep and wake up late, the so-called 'night owls,' which may help explain why this group of teens is more prone to depression.
Published Intellectual disability more common in families with substance use disorder
(via sciencedaily.com) Children of a parent with alcohol or drug use disorder have a greater risk of intellectual disability, even if the problem only lies with the father, researchers report. According to the study, preventive measures should be directed at both parents.
Published Adding complex component of milk to infant formula confers long-term cognitive benefits for bottle-fed babies
(via sciencedaily.com) New research has shown how a complex component of milk that can be added to infant formula has been shown to confer long-term cognitive benefits, including measures of intelligence and executive function in children.
Published First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers
(via sciencedaily.com) First-time fathers seem to experience a steeper decline in relationship satisfaction in the first two years post-partum than second-time fathers, who appear to recover lost relationship satisfaction by the time their second child is 14 months old, according to a new study.
Published Boys' snooze patterns remain stable before their teenage years
(via sciencedaily.com) The time it takes for boys to fall asleep remains the same between 10 and 12 years of age, according to new research. With these new findings, families and clinicians can expect that before the age of 12, children's sleep problems may be better explained by social and behavioral factors. Treatments of sleep problems in this age group may therefore focus on night-time fears, bedtime schedules and improving children's sleep environment.
Published Lengthy screen time associated with childhood development delays
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source How much is adequate screen time for a child? It is the question at the forefront of many parents' minds. Now, a recent cohort study has found that the amount of screen time spent by one-year-olds is associated with developmental delays.
Published More sleep could reduce impulsive behavior in children
(via sciencedaily.com) Sleep is a critical part of a child's overall health, but it can also be an important factor in the way they behave. According to a new study, getting enough sleep can help children combat the effects of stressful environments.
Published The pressure is real for mums managing their children's digital use
(via sciencedaily.com) Parents are spending considerable amounts of energy thinking about and mitigating the risks associated with their kids using mobile phones and the internet.
Published Parents need better support to develop digital literacies for themselves and their children
(via sciencedaily.com) Parents should be taught how to better understand the increasingly volatile social media landscape that is deploying sophisticated algorithms, according to a new study.
Published Overuse of social media and devices top parent concerns as kids head back to school
(via sciencedaily.com) As children head back to school, two issues have climbed higher on their parents' list of concerns: the role of social media and the internet in kids' lives.
Published Mothers experiencing depression can still thrive as parents
(via sciencedaily.com) The proverb 'It takes a village to raise a child' takes on new significance when a mother of a child is experiencing depression.
Published A wake-up call for kids' poor heart health
(via sciencedaily.com) Today in the U.S., a child with risk factors for heart disease (high blood pressure, overweight, etc.) can wait close to a year to see a cardiologist because of high demand and limited resources. This is precious time that could be spent managing their conditions to help them avoid having a heart attack or stroke at a young age. A new study from Northwestern University and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago provides the firstcomprehensive look at the practice of pediatric preventive cardiology in 30 years. It found a high incidence of youth with risk factors for cardiovascular disease but a significant lack of resources and personnel to provide the timely, preventive care they need.