Health & Parenting News & Features

April 5, 2023 — New mothers who gave birth early in the pandemic filled far more opioid prescriptions than American women did previously, raising concerns about the potential for narcotic misuse.

February 5, 2023 — Added sugars in school meals would need to be less than 10% of calories per meal by 2027. Reductions in sodium would be phased in. Salt in school breakfasts would need to be cut by 10% in 2025 and another 10% in 2027. Sodium in lunches would need to be cut 10% in 2025, 2027, and 2029.

January 23, 2023 — The majority of youngsters who play video games do so as a form of entertainment, but about 5% to 6% of video game users do so to the point where it interferes with their lives.

When raising a child with central precocious puberty (CPP), it’s important to take steps not only to maintain their well-being, but also your own.

January 13, 2023 — If you only saw the headlines, you might think that when a youngster is a few pounds overweight, their pediatrician will prescribe a weight loss drug or bariatric surgery. The reality is much less alarming. The guidelines take a deep dive into evidence-based treatments at various levels.

Find out what to look for and what to avoid when buying holiday toys that are safe for kids.

December 14, 2022 — While using mobile devices to soothe children's outbursts is fine sometimes, new research suggests that doing so too often could delay a child’s ability to manage their emotions productively.

November 28, 2022 — Measles vaccinations have dropped sharply since the COVID pandemic, with about 25 million children missing their first dose of measles vaccine in 2021 and 14.7 million missing their second dose, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a joint report.

November 19, 2022 — More women gave birth at home in America last year, continuing a pandemic trend and reaching the highest level in decades.

November 14, 2022 — The average amount of time children spent staring at screens during the COVID-19 pandemic rose 52%, a new study says. The increase amounts to an average of 84 more minutes per day looking at televisions, computers, and phones.

October 30, 2022 — The liquid form of the antibiotic amoxicillin, often used to treat ear infections and strep throat in children, is in short supply. The FDA officially listed the shortage on Friday.

October 18, 2022 — A new study suggests that strict parenting causes changes in children’s brains that increase their risk of mental health issues, including depression, later in life. The University of Leuven study involved 23 boys and girls in Belgium

October 11, 2022 — Amazon faces a lawsuit that accuses the company of selling so-called “suicide kits” with a deadly chemical that teens have used to take their own lives.

Fertility specialists expected to see fewer clients during the pandemic. Instead, they saw a surge – especially among single women.

September 13, 2022 — Though enterovirus D68 primarily causes acute respiratory illness, in rare cases, it can lead to a neurologic compilation involving limb weakness.

September 7, 2022 — Corporal punishment has been condemned for decades by organizations focused on children’s health, but some school districts still use it.

“The Talk” is a conversation in many Black families about how to deal safely with police. How has it changed over recent years?

The stress of academic pressure can show itself in different ways. Pay attention to big shifts in mood or behavior. Big shifts might be a sign of more serious problems.

August 24, 2022 — A New Orleans-based filmmaker argues that Black children’s trauma was ignored, and links it to the city’s ongoing struggles with violence

What does it take for a child to be resilient after a major setback? Find out what makes a difference.

August 16, 2022 — The brand 4moms is recalling more than 2 million infant swings and rockers after a 10-month-old died due to strangulation and another child was injured, according to a recall alert from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

August 11, 2022 — A new study cataloged at least 28 deaths and 479 injuries from more than 130 weather-related bounce house incidents worldwide – figures the researchers say likely underestimate the problem.

July 15, 2022 — The 3-year-old is the 11th hot car death this year. Experts say it’s preventable.

July 8, 2022 — Meet Kyra, a virtual influencer. She's not real but is collecting an online following of viewers. It is a new marketing trend some psychologists warn is manipulative.

June 30, 2022 — Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1-4, with 425 such events in 2020, according to the CDC

June 28, 2022 — School shootings from 2020 to 2021 climbed to the highest point in 2 decades, according to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Your daughter’s first period can be a confusing time for her -- and for you. Here’s how you can make sure you’re both ready.

June 21, 2022 — Social media “patient influencers” are becoming a popular method of direct-to-consumer advertising for pharmaceutical and medical companies. Is that a good thing?

Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old and the No. 2 cause of death for those 5 to 9 years old.

Learn what adultification bias is, what it looks like, and what you can do to stop it.

During the tween years (8 through 12), children may become more independent, experience puberty, and value peer relationships over family ties.

Experts and parents share tips to help you stop yelling at your kids.

Social media offers benefits and risks for your teens. Learn when your teen's social media use should concern you.

A new study shows kids with ADHD, hostility, social phobia, or depression may be more likely to become addicted to the Internet.

Learn about the warning signs of childhood sexual abuse in young children and teens.

Is your child shy? Introversion is perfectly normal. Learn some tips to help you help your child overcome their shyness.

Learn about how to support your child to stop bullying.

Is your child struggling socially due to shyness? Learn about how to support them more.

Learn what to do when your child has suicidal thoughts.

High amounts of screen time for children often correlate to negative health outcomes. Learn tips for reducing screen time without fights.

Obesity leads to health risks during childhood and later in life. Learn tips for encouraging your child who is overweight.

Does your child want to become an activist? Learn how you can support their efforts.

Learn about how to teach your teen to drive, including setting house rules to limit risky behaviors.

Wondering how to bring up the topic of sexual assault with your child? Learn more about tools and strategies you can use.

Many children have phases in which they become picky eaters. Here's how to help.

Learn about how to support a child's gender identity, including talking with your child about gender so they know more about it.

Learn how you can help your child learn to read by reading together and engaging in activities that help your child look forward to reading time.

Does your child have behavior that is angry or aggressive? Learn about why that might be, how to help them, and more.

Is your child struggling with math anxiety? Learn ways to help your child overcome this issue.