Scientists Study How Animals Help Autism

While service dogs for autistic kids paw their way into the classroom, scientists have decided to finally study the link between kids and their pets.

Sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the study is meant to go beyond anecdotal evidence that therapy animals have a positive affect on kids, especially those with autism. Continue reading »

Contraception for Men

Traditionally, most forms of contraception have been designed for use by women, unfairly placing the responsibility for prevention in their court, rather than sharing it equally.  The one exception is, of course, the condom, but many men claim that a condom lessens the experience or that the delay required to put on one kills the spontaneity of the moment.  So it is often left up to women to ensure that an unwanted pregnancy doesn’t happen.  But what if there were a way for men to take on that responsibility with a long-term contraceptive administered in advance?
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They Say: Better Paid Moms Better at Breastfeeding

My wife Rachel breastfed each of our three children for over a year — no easy feat when you consider that she’s an elementary school teacher and was not always able to take breaks to pump.  Still, though, a year is a notable length of time in the United States.  I guess it’s notable in Sweden, too, where a recent study looked at the breastfeeding status of 12,000 infants.
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Ig Nobel For Why Don’t Pregnant Women Tip Over

The awards best known for honoring scientists doing “improbable research” have picked a doctor’s study on why pregnant don’t tip over as a winner in this year’s Ig Nobel awards. Continue reading »

They Say: Popular Kids Grow Up Healthier

Were you jealous of the popular kids in school? Well your envy may not end when you all graduate. According to a new report from a 30-year study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, a popular child will grow up have have more pals, more ‘peer respect’, and will be healthier overall.

The kiids with less friends? Continue reading »

They Say: 9 Out of 10 Teens Aren’t Eating Their Veggies

Sometimes getting your kids to eat their veggies can be quite the challenge. But it doesn’t just stop when they’re little, apparently teens aren’t eating their greens either. And this isn’t just a teen here, a teen there, we’re talking MOST teens aren’t eating enough of the good stuff. Continue reading »

They Say: Born in Winter, You’ll Never Catch Up

What if the day you’re born, you could already tell how long you’ll live and how well you’ll do in school? Scientists think they can.

But where studies have long posited that a winter birthday is to blame for poor test scores, lower earnings and poor long-term health, there’s a new theory about birthdays. Continue reading »

They Say: Let the Wildebeests Run Wild for Sleep

Finally, a little proof that what we’ve all been hoping would happen really does. New research says active kids get to sleep more easily.

So let the little wildebeests run wild, because Mommy and Daddy need a cuddle. Continue reading »

15 Breast-Feeding Myths Explained

It seems just uttering the word “breastfeeding” and emotions flare. When should you stop? How much is too much? What will it do to your breasts? Whether you’re staunchly pro BF’n or think the boob is getting pushed a little hard, it doesn’t hurt to clear up the misconceptions with help from Cookie Magazine.

MYTH #1: Breast-feeding is easy. FALSE Continue reading »

They Say: Induction Lowers Risk of C-Section. Really?

In Tuesday’s issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine , a review of randomized trials concludes that elective induction at or after 41 weeks of pregnancy does not increase a woman’s risk for c-section.

In fact, inductions at or after 41 weeks lowered the risk of surgery by 22 percent (lowered!), according to the report.

Does this mean inductions have been unfairly fingered as one reason the c-section rate in Canada and, more so, the U.S., is so high? Aren’t inductions a part of the cascade of interventions that lead to c-section? Continue reading »