Helping the Young Mind Grow

MONDAY, April 15, 2019 -- Whether you call it snowplow, bulldozer or helicopter parenting, these child-rearing styles have gotten a lot of attention recently, and the acknowledgment that they may not be the best way to raise a confident, well-adjusted young person.

Moving obstacles out of a child's way is not the same as providing the nurturing he or she needs.

How to Cut Your Kids' Sugar Intake

WEDNESDAY, April 10, 2019 -- The concerns about sugar and kids go far beyond the risk of cavities.

An extensive research review by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that kids who consume a lot of foods and drinks with added sugar could develop heart disease risk factors -- like obesity and high cholesterol -- starting in childhood.

Fussy Baby May Raise Mom's Risk of Depression

THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 -- Having a fussy baby doesn't just rob a new mother of sleep -- it can also increase her risk of depression, a new study finds.

That fussiness, combined with premature birth, may significantly affect a new mother's mood.

6 Years: How Long New Parents Can Expect to Lose Sleep

TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 -- When a newborn comes home, parents know sleep goes out the window. But new research shows that sleep loss could plague Mom and Dad for up to six years.

"What is new in the current study is that we compare sleep before pregnancy with sleep up to six years after birth," study author Sakari Lemola explained. "We were surprised to see that sleep duration and sleep satisfaction were still decreased six years after birth."

Featherlight, Wireless Sensors Let Parents Cuddle Their Preemies

THURSDAY, Feb. 28, 2019 -- Tiny premature babies are often swamped by the sensors that monitor their health, attached to a mass of wires sometimes bigger than the newborns themselves.

These bundles of wired sensors can impede the baby's medical care, damage their fragile skin with adhesive patches, and prevent parents from nurturing their newborn.

Too Often, Opioid Abuse Runs in the Family, Study Shows

MONDAY, Feb. 25, 2019 -- When parents abuse prescription painkillers, their teenagers may follow their example, a new study finds.

The study of thousands of U.S. teenagers found that kids were 30 percent more likely to abuse prescription opioids if one of their parents had.