Parents & Kids

The American Academy of Pediatrics released its first-ever guidelines on tattoos and body piercings among teens.
Heartburn, what heartburn? Backaches? Step aside. Of all the dreadful pregnancy symptoms ACSH's Ana Dolaskie thought she would endure, she didn't see this one coming. That is, until now.
An ongoing FDA investigation into allegedly harmful homeopathic teething products revealed (surprise!) a heap of significant violations found at a second facility. Not only that, but the company's sheer sketchiness – like preventing investigators from taking photos – is enough to make you question what it's hiding.  
Given how well women propagated the species despite all kinds of past health scares, should today's mothers panic about eating a piece of sushi? Well, yeah, though they needn't worry about coffee or BPA, despite litigation groups like Center for Science in the Public Interest long insisting those things are ruining families.
Pregnancy comes with so many symptoms. Some are completely normal; others can be alarming. And some can be both. How can you tell when to call the doc? 
A story involving a toxic teething product is being made public by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But this time it's not a part of the ongoing FDA investigation into homeopathic teething tablets that have been shown to contain high levels of belladonna.
Putting babies to sleep on their backs is an important safety measure that can decrease the risk of SIDS, or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However, a new report in the journal Pediatrics states that parents are still not doing this crucial step well enough. 
As ACSH's Ana Dolaskie approaches the final weeks of pregnancy, she is making sure all her vaccinations are up-to-date. This includes the TDAP vaccine (Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis) and influenza shot. And she also wants to makes sure dads, partners, and others who are spending time with baby understand why getting vaccinated is key in protecting a newborn baby against potentially life-threatening illnesses, like pertussis (whooping cough).  
In preparation for motherhood, ACSH's Ana Dolaskie says she's grateful to have her mother by her side. But does mom always know best? Well, most of the time. But sometimes daughter knows best, and perhaps when it matters most.    
Avoiding cows' milk in favor of plant-based substitutes (e.g. rice, soy or almond "milks") has been part of the vegan lifestyle for years. And now, the popularity of such substitutes has been increasing.  According to a recent study, it might mean less growth in kids fed these "milks".
TCSPI wants to ban food coloring. Seeing Red, is a slick marketing of ideas blending health studies with some misdirection promoting an agenda to “revoke approval for all food dyes.”
Here I am, 30 weeks into my pregnancy and feeling mighty darn good about my bump. After all, just last week a stranger — who also happens to be an OB — had validated my confidence by guessing exactly how far along I was just by looking at me.  Well, thanks lady! It made my day that she thought I looked exactly like what I needed to look like at 29 weeks along.