LilSugar

Is Your Fearless 3-Year-Old Destined For a Life of Crime?

babysugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:30:20 -0800

Mamas of fearless children often encourage their wild child's eager behavior, but a new study may have them trying to instill a lil fear factor into their lives. Results from a 20-year study show that children who lack the ability to fear may have a dysfunction with their amygdala - the part of the brain linked to fear conditioning, emotions, and one's mental state. Researchers found children who showed no fear were often more likely to go against authorities and find themselves in trouble later in life. In cases where children may show a lack of respect for rules or even the law, parents can help coach their child into a more stable state. According to the study's research associate Yu Gao:

Some at-risk children between the ages of 3 and 5 who have benefited from those programs, which include sound nutrition, adequate physical exercise, and cognitive brain stimulation, had shown an improvement in brain functioning by age 11 that reduced the chances of criminal behavior by 35 percent 20 years later.

While it is not a black and white determining factor, it does bring some interesting insight into the workings of lil brains and what we can do to help steer them clear of harmful habits.

Yet Another Reason to Steer Clear of Plastics

babysugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:30:31 -0800

The last thing mommy wants to do is add another worry to her already fret-worthy list, but this one may be worth noting. We all know that plastics can contain BPA and other harmful toxins, but we don't always know why they are hazardous. Fortunately, scientists are doing the dirty work for us and informing us of yet another reason to steer clear of items containing phthalates. In a recent study, British researchers found that certain phthalates were not only affecting male genitalia, but their behavior, too. Boys who were exposed to higher amounts of the chemical were less interested in the stereotypical car toys and less apt to play in a rough and tumble manner. Elizabeth Salter-Green, director of the chemicals campaign group CHEM Trust said:

We now know that phthalates, to which we are all constantly exposed, are extremely worrying from a health perspective, leading to disruption of male reproduction health and, it appears, male behavior too... This feminizing capacity of phthalates makes them true 'gender benders'.

While the EU banned such toxins from toys years ago, the US has yet to make such dramatic (and in my opinion, necessary) moves. This is just another good reminder why us moms should speak up and let our voices be known. Join the Million Baby Crawl and speak your mama mind!

Is Autism on the Rise or Are Parents Misreporting?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:47 -0700

Parents were alarmed when the one in 150 statistic was released a while back. Now, a new study says as many as one in every 91 children in the United States has been diagnosed with some form of the developmental disorder. The statistic is a result of 78,000 verbal interviews with parents of children between the ages of 3 and 17 years old. And, some experts worry that the numbers are inaccurate because there's no way of knowing who made those diagnoses. Additionally, experts say 40 percent of kids who were once diagnosed with some form of autism, no longer meet the criteria. Do you believe autism is on the rise or are parents who need resources too quick to label their offspring?

Is Mom's Weight to Blame For Baby's Heart Conditions?

LilSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 06:00:42 -0700

Women with hopes of becoming moms have yet another reason to watch their weight. Unlike previous studies that provided women with weight-gain guidelines based on their pre-pregnancy weights, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology is reporting that overweight women are more likely to produce babies with congenital heart defects.

According to the study of mothers of 6,440 babies born with the heart defects, those who were overweight, but not obese, prior to becoming pregnant were 16 percent more likely to birth a baby with the defect. Those who were severely obese were 31 percent more likely to do so. While the study does not necessarily show a direct link between weight and the medical condition, the association is considered to be strong.

Do studies like this one affect the way you live your life?

Treats May Not Be So Sweet This Halloween

LilSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:00:07 -0700

Halloween may be a tad scarier this year thanks to a new British study. Researchers across the pond have spent the past four decades tracking 10-year-olds' candy intake and found that those who ate the sweet treats on a daily basis were more likely to be arrested for violent offenses than those who didn't. The scientists behind the study say that its results support the belief that those who eat healthily tend to make better behavioral decisions.

Many parents will shake this off denouncing the idea that an innocent little treat like candy could truly not be tied to violent crimes. Will you let a study like this spook you into tightening the pumpkin strings this year?

Would You Kidnap Your Children?

LilSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 13:00:33 -0700

The tie between parent and child runs deep, but would you be willing to break the law or even live underground to keep your offspring? Custody battles or spousal suspicions can lead moms and dads to make rash decisions - some take their kids and run. We've seen that breaks in the system can occur; recent news headlines have showcased one father's tireless efforts to get his son back from Brazil after his mother fled there and died. Another American dad is fighting the Italian foster system after his ex took their boy to her native land before being declared unfit to care for him. Now, Christopher Savoie sits in a Japanese jail after going there to pick up his two kids who were illegally taken there by his ex-wife. Just the thought of this happening is enough to leave a lump in any mom or dad's throat. If you were in a situation and despite the law knew you might not see your children again, would you consider kidnapping?

How Did You Choose Your Doctor?

LilSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:00:04 -0700

A, B, C. . . If only selecting a doctor was as easy as teaching your child the alphabet or thumbing through the yellow pages! Choosing an OB/GYN can be compared to studying for a final exam. There are histories to check, references to get and insurance companies that must be consulted. Some receive referrals from friends and family, while others select one simply based on proximity to their home or office. Many women select their doctor before children are ever even a thought in the back of their head, and then want to reevaluate their decision after they become pregnant. It's a giant headache.

According to a new JAMA study, mamas-to-be may want to spend some time researching where her doctor did his or her residency before signing on as a patient. Research into 4.9 million baby deliveries in Florida and New York found that those delivered by doctors trained in the top 20 percent of obstetric residential programs had less complications than those trained elsewhere.

How did you choose your doctor?

Authoritative Parents May Get a Ticket to the White House

babysugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:40:15 -0700

Those who rule with an authoritative hand may be laughing all the way to the White House one day. According to a new study, stricter parents who challenge their children to stay between the lines may be raising future leaders of the world. Professors Maria Rotundo and Bruce Avolio found that moms and dads who set boundaries often give their children the opportunity to test their limits while figuring out ways to get what they want without getting into much trouble. Proponents of harsher methods of discipline may be patting themselves on the back right now while others shake their heads in disbelief.

Does a study like this have you reconsidering your approach to setting boundaries in your home?

President Obama Wants Kids to Stay in School Longer

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 14:28:27 -0700

President Obama may be leading our nation, but he's just dad to his daughters, Malia and Sasha. And, his new idea to have longer school days and years is none too popular with them. In addition to adding class time, the commander in chief wants schools to be safe places for children to go in the afternoons and on weekends. According to one report, American students spend less days in the classroom but not less hours. It said:

Kids in the US spend more hours in school (1,146 instructional hours per year) than do kids in the Asian countries that persistently outscore the US on math and science tests - Singapore (903), Taiwan (1,050), Japan (1,005) and Hong Kong (1,013). That is despite the fact that Taiwan, Japan, and Hong Kong have longer school years (190 to 201 days) than does the United States (180 days).

Many American parents feel their children have too much academic pressure and are over-scheduled already. What's your take on this educational initiative?

SIDS Campaign Resulting in Many Flat Heads

LilSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 08:00:16 -0700

Back to sleep! The anti-SIDS slogan, which was introduced in 1994, is so ingrained in most moms that they don't give it a second thought when putting their wee ones down for some shut-eye. Though the campaign is credited with preventing 2,000 additional SIDS cases each year for the past 15 years, doctors have determined that one in 40 will develop a flat head.

According to The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, flat head syndrome can lead to more ear infections, which, in turn, can result in language disorders and learning disabilities. The researchers have seen a 49 to 54 percent increase in these types of ear infections. If a baby appears to develop a flat head, special helmets can help reshape the skull. To see some of our tips for keeping your tot's head round, just click here.

Did your lil one develop a flat head due to sleeping on his back?