Articles

While men may not experience the same physical changes in their bodies as women do during pregnancy, the spectre of parenthood can also alter their mental health. While female baby blues is well documented, new research shows that first-time expectant fathers can also experience depression during pregnancy. More...

For women who are trying to get pregnant, timing sex so that it falls during the optimal ovulation window is typically the focus. But new research suggests that having sex - at any point during a woman's cycle - sparks changes in the immune system that increase the likelihood of conception.  More...

Though it is generally agreed binge-drinking poses significant risks to a foetus, authorities are split on the effect of moderate alcohol intake after 12 weeks. “Thousands of middle class mums-to-be putting babies at risk with light drinking” is the headline on one news website, as the complex issue of drinking during pregnancy rears its head once more. More...

The number of people being infected with whooping cough is decreasing in England and Wales, according to the latest figures by the Health Protection Agency. However, it is too soon to tell if the largest outbreak of the disease in two decades has peaked. More...

A baby born with the virus that causes AIDS appears to have been cured, scientists announced Sunday, describing the case of a child from Mississippi who's now 2 1/2 and has been off medication for about a year with no signs of infection. There's no guarantee the child will remain healthy, although sophisticated testing uncovered just traces of the virus' genetic material still lingering.  More...

The walls of the body's major artery – the aorta – are already thickened in babies born to mothers who are overweight or obese, according to a University of Sydney study published online in the Fetal and Neonatal Edition of Archives of Disease of Childhood.The study found that, importantly, this arterial thickening, which is a sign of heart disease, is independent of the child's weight at birth – a known risk factor for later heart disease and stroke. More...

A new study suggests the way babies are born and fed in early life affects the bacteria they carry around in their gut.And that in turn may influence their future health, including things like whether they will develop asthma, allergies or other medical conditions. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Alberta, is published in this week's issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal. More...

Wonder how to do a baby bath? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you master the basics.Bathing a slippery newborn can be a nerve-racking experience. Your baby may not like it much, either. With a little practice, however, you'll both start to feel more comfortable at bath time. Start by learning baby bath basics. More...

As a new parent, there are so many things to think about. Is my baby safe? Is my baby healthy? How do I get her to sleep? When do I get to sleep? So many of these things are a little bit out of your control, riding mainly on the innate character traits of the little one who just entered your life. Thankfully, there are a few things that are totally within your control. And one of these is what goes into that precious little tummy.  More...

The rich in developing nations are riding their new gravy trains to increasing obesity, accounting for almost all of the average weight gains recorded in the world’s poorer countries. The impoverished, meanwhile, remain at dangerously low and malnourished weights, a new University of Toronto study indicates. “You get almost this pulling apart of the population, with heavy people becoming much heavier,” says Dr. Fahad Razak, a clinical fellow at the University of Toronto and lead study author. More...

Flu season is especially bad in the United States this year, and young children with the flu tend to suffer more than others because they can't take over-the-counter medications to help relieve their symptoms. Cough and cold medications can have serious side effects if taken by young children, including rapid heart rate and convulsions."These medications should never be used by children under the age of 4 and only under a physician's supervision if under the age of 6. More...

Rice, oatmeal, or barley? What infant cereal or other food will be on the menu for your baby’s first solid meal? And have you set a date? At this point, you may have a plan or are confused because you have received too much advice from family and friends with different opinions. To help you prepare for your baby’s transition to solid food, read on for more information from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). More...