For mothers opting for a natural birth, the comforts of home can be deadly
Infancy
The Mystery of Why More Black Babies Die in Infancy than White Babies
A group of economists and an epidemiologist examined 50 million birth certificates to identify the reasons why more black babies die as infants than white babies. The upshot of their research? It’s not what you think.
U.S.’s Report Card on Premature Births: An “A” for Effort, but “C” Overall
For six consecutive years, the U.S. has successfully lowered the rate of preterm births, to 11.5%. But that still falls short of the March of Dimes goal.
No More Baths! Mom Bathes Baby Just Once a Week
Claire Goss, 32, a Massachusetts mother of a 3-month-old son, has confessed in a blog post on Babble.com that she only bathes her baby about once a week.
Despite Dangers, Bed-Sharing With Kids Is On The Rise
Over the last 20 years, the number of parents sharing a bed with their infants has doubled.
Lasting Effects of Being Born Too Early
For the first time, researchers document why it’s so important to help premature babies develop in utero for as long as possible.
Babies’ Brains: When Does Consciousness Emerge?
Finding the point at which babies’ reactions change from being purely reflexive to reflecting more intention is leading researches to focus on the first glimmers of conscious thought in infants as young as 5 months old.
Too Much TV: Fussy Infants Spend More Time In Front of The Tube
The latest study finds some temperament traits are more likely to land babies in front of the television.
Lasting Legacy of Recessions: Behavior Problems Among Teens
Fiscal cliff negotiations tested everyone’s patience, but even young children who don’t understand national budgets may show signs of strain during such economic insecurity.
Iron Supplements May Improve Health of Low Birthweight Babies
Babies born at below average weight are at greater risk of developmental problems, but early use of supplements may lower that risk.
Postpartum Exhaustion: Is It O.K. for New Parents to Solicit Friends to Cook, Clean and Empty the Trash?
Having a baby, as any new mom knows, is just the start of an exhausting cycle of duties that can prompt many a new mom to long for some helping hands.
World Prematurity Day: 5 Ways to Reduce Preterm Births
To mark the second annual World Prematurity Day, there is both encouraging and discouraging news about premature birth trends.
Bacteria on Binkies: A Recipe for Crankiness
Pacifiers are among the most dependable pieces of baby paraphernalia, but what if, instead of curing crankiness, they actually cause babies to be more unruly?