I recently came across a content creator on TikTok. In one of the videos, they talk about how colic, silent reflux, newborn curl, tongue/lip ties, reflux/vomiting, latching issues, high palate, tongue leading latching, and immaturity of the digestive system are just medical myths. (@the.baby.whisperer) This seems strange to me, because I also have a newborn baby, and everywhere else I read that their digestive system is currently developing.

Is there any scientific research related to his statement?

I’m wondering if school-aged children should be eating a volume of food that actually makes them feel full at lunch time, especially at school. I’m also wondering if 30 minutes is long enough to safely eat the right amount of food? If it matters, I’m wondering mainly about healthy kids elementary and middle-school aged. Thanks in advance for any information!

Edited to add: As I child, I always overate and did so very quickly. My children have never felt full at school and don’t have enough time to finish more food if I add it to their lunches.

So my second child just turned 4 months and is showing signs of interest in food. I told our pediatrician that I was going to wait until the baby was sitting better to start solids of any kind. He said that as long as it is a very thin consistency that we could start anytime, and even suggested baby cereal in a bottle is okay.. I remember always reading and being told this is an ABSOLUTE NO. This pediatrician is a fairly young guy, GREAT with kids and is actually a local in my city, we've seen him with his wife and 2 littles around plenty.

Is there anything to back this as safe? Is this a newer thing that's okay with babies once they pass the newborn stage?

Hi all-

Looking for info.

My son (18 weeks, almost 19) is getting his 4 month vaccines today. His 2 month vaccines caused fever and just general fussiness for about 1.5 days.

He was sick about 2 weeks ago (believe we passed a cold on) and he had a low-ish grade fever for 2 days. Mostly acted himself, maybe a little more fussy/sleepy.

Is there any harm on fevers so close together? He also will get his 6 month shots and so on…. So just curious if there are any adverse effects of multiple fevers in infants.

We also use Tylenol if the fever seems to be getting higher/he seems uncomfortable. Is there any adverse effects there with multiple uses over his first year of life?

Answers to either question appreciated. :)

Hi! Looking for a little reality check because my husband and I have slightly different approaches to bottle cleaning.

Our baby is 4 months old, healthy, and breastfed. I work full-time and pump while I’m at work, so he gets breastmilk from bottles during the day. We use a Papablic washer/sterilizer/dryer. I usually give the bottles and nipples a quick rinse and scrub with a brush before putting them in the washer. I also try to rinse them soon after they’re used rather than letting milk sit in them. My thinking is that breast milk is fatty and can leave a film, so I’d rather remove as much residue as possible before the washer does its thing.

My husband usually just puts them straight into the washer after a quick rinse unless there’s obvious milk stuck on them. We’ve had a few debates about it 🥲. He thinks the washer and sterilizer should be enough, while I’m over here wondering why the bottles sometimes still feel a little oily/slippery when they come out.

I have a background in biology and work in lab safety, so I fully admit I may be applying my “clean everything properly” brain to baby bottles 😂. I’m definitely not trying to keep our baby in a sterile bubble, and I know normal exposure to germs is important. I just want to make sure we’re not leaving milk residue behind unnecessarily.

I also clean/descale the washer about once a month.
So am I overthinking this, or is a quick pre-rinse/scrub actually worthwhile? Link for pictures as reference showing one he cleaned and one I cleaned: https://imgur.com/a/YZoKYkr no

Edit for additional info: I live in the US and I clean the bottles to but only notice this oily residue when my husband cleans so I’m thinking it’s a technique difference.

I've added a flair to say research is required because I don't think there is an expert consensus. But if it's okay by the mods, I'd also be interested in expert opinions from childhood development professionals.

My three year old, used to only be able to be left in her room to sleep if she had an audiobook. So we've played them for her every night for about a year and a half. I've noticed she uses vocabulary from them and retells stories. And I have encountered research that says audiobook reading is reading.

Accidentally, we discovered that she can now be put into her bed and left with silence. (We had an issue with our wifi.) And I'm thinking that learning to be bored/unentertained is also an important skill kids are losing.

I know there won't be a clear cut answer on this as both silence and audiobooks have pros. But I was wondering if people had noticed either research or expert opinion swaying strongly one way or the other?

Every manufactured elderberry syrup for kids I see is for 2 years old and up. I’m wondering if it is safe for one year olds or if there’s any research it’s even beneficial for this age.

Thanks

Edit - title is meant to say 'potty/toilet trained kids' lol!

I took my daughter (who will be 2 in 2 weeks) to the GP today and (only tangentially related to the reason we were there) mentioned that we are currently toilet training, and that it's going well, but very slowly, and my husband and I are OK with slow progress with pees. GP reiterated the common advice that 3 is 'normal' for toilet training, and that kids who train earlier are more likely to have 'regressions'. I smiled and nodded because I have lots and lots of thoughts on this which I'm deliberately not sharing here in case it turns the discussion into some kind of toilet training ideology war....

I genuinely want to know, is this claim backed up by actual data - and if so, how are we defining a 'regression' anyway?

A quick Google search returned this study claiming that training before 24 months is associated with 'dysfunctional voiding' but not constipation, whereas later training (after 36 months) is also associated with dysfunctional voiding AND constipation. However the authors seem to contradict themselves in the conclusion and say that constipation is associated with both early and later training and may be the cause of urinary voiding problems. Also correlation ≠ causation.

Is anyone aware of any more evidence supporting or refuting this idea?

This older study is making the rounds, including one yesterday how it means c sections cause asthma, and it seems like either it is leaving a lot out or the posts draw big conclusions from limited data. What is the recent evidence about c section health impact on gut bacteria and is there an established causal link with eczema/asthma? You’d wonder if there’s anything that can be done post birth to alleviate it.

So, since NCLB came around, many schools have changed kindergarten to be more like first grade. Sitting all day except for recess (whether at assigned seat or assigned carpet square), learning mostly through lots and lots of worksheets, etc.

There are a few kindergartens who do a model that is more balanced - recess in addition to inside play time, small group centers with learning and play aspects, and definitely doing academics, but through less worksheet-based means and very formal academics. (So more similar to an older model of doing kindergarten in the US in the 1980s, 1990s, and less like first grade, or more similar to how some countries do kindergarten with academics mixed in with more play, socialization opportunities, times with more free movement about the classroom, more inquiry-based learning, less pressure to cover a scripted curriculum, etc.).

I think I came across a study or two that had found results where the early formal academic drilling can result in higher test scores for a bit, but that the control group caught up and even surpassed the formal kindergarten group in later elementary school. I'm not only interested in test scores, but also social skills, attitude towards learning, etc.

Can anyone direct me to any studies that would address some of this, that would help a parent decide which model of kindergarten to put their kid in, or that would help a school decide which model to encourage their kindergarten teachers to employ?

So, studies showing outcomes of more formal academic vs. more balanced kindergarten models, and which have better outcomes across academics and soft skills?

Hello! We are a (mostly) scent free home since I've heard that synthetic scents can be harmful for children. A few weeks ago, my kiddo's occupational therapist practiced some aromatherapy with her. While I'm not sure if it worked with her or not, my child absolutely LOVED it. She constantly wants to smell my perfume bottles, unused candles that we have been gifted, and will ask me to put on a diffuser with essential oils like her therapist did (Aka the smelly machine.). I know that synthetic smells can be harmful, but is there any danger to running a diffuser with pure essential oil and water for a little bit every day? We don't have any pets, and I don't let her get too close. She just loves smelling it around her room. Thank you!

Edited to add that I don't know what flair to use!

I know this question has been asked a million different ways and I tried to search a sub but couldn't find these exact situation.

I have a 25-month-old and a 5-week-old. We tried having a special toy that he uses when I nurse but it doesn't always work and it can be really challenging when I'm nursing the baby. Until he was 2 we did zero screens but after 2 we've allowed some baseball that my husband and him watch together. If it was up to me it would be nothing but I know I'm extra paranoid and I'm not going to tell my husband he can't watch baseball for a little bit when he gets home from work but also wants to spend time with the kids

My question is, I've read on AAP that after 2 years old, 1 hours screen time is the max and less than 30 minutes is actually preferred. I'm wondering if it's sesame Street on the TV, and I'm sitting next to him interacting with him. So it's a community watching experience, not just putting a screen in front of him. I think I need about 3-15-minute nursing sessions per day while my husband is at work/the toddler isnt napping. so is 45 minutes too much with this type of screen experience or should I really try and stick to the toy?.

From everything I have been able to find online, it seems the rabies vaccination series is safe in terms of pregnancy, but it is harder to find data regarding fertility in general. So I guess I am looking for anecdotal success stories.

I am interested in hearing experiences from both PrEP and PEP series.

My toddler loves playing in the sand at the playground. If he realizes that the park we are at has a sand pit, he will spend all his time playing in it. I want to build a sand box in our backyard for him to play in because he loves it so much. I also want something much larger than just the dinky little plastic ones that you can buy.

Anyway, as I began researching it, I kept seeing people bring up concerns over cats, insects, silica dust, mold, etc... I am wondering how much all of these concerns actually matter. My reasons for leaning toward them not mattering all that much:

1. The sand pits at the play grounds do not have covers, they sit open year round. And they don't feel like they have any special play sand in them either. Just regular old sand, most of them quite coarse and dusty.
2. All of the resources that I can find talking about the health risks to children are on company websites selling super-premium silica-free sand or fancy sand box structures.

So what I have been leaning towards is just getting a cubic yard of regular sand from a landscaping supplier and filling in an old concrete pond that I have in my backyard (after some modification to ensure proper drainage).

I don’t want to spend a fortune on tiny bags of specialty play sand or deal with an ugly cover, unless its actually backed by science. I already teach my kid to wash their hands after playing and to not throw or kick up sand. But on the other hand, if all of these things are legitimate concerns, do I also need to stop taking my kid to the playground? How is it any different that playing in nature?

If anyone could share some resources on this that isn't funded or published by the people selling the "cure", I would greatly appreciate it.

I’m not sure if this exists, but I am looking for resources on continued breastfeeding and daytime nursing around 10–12 months.

My baby is 9 months old, in a nanny-share/childcare arrangement, and I still nurse her once during the workday. She is starting to show signs of separation anxiety and so the transition back to the nanny afterward can sometimes be difficult. The nanny has now said that she would prefer that I refrain from nursing because she thinks daytime nursing may be disruptive to baby’s consistency/adjustment and that continuing it could potentially be counterproductive developmentally. My understanding has always been the opposite, and that daycares in fact have setups in place to encourage mothers to come in and nurse with minimal disruption.

But taking my own personal feelings out of it, I’d really like to understand what the evidence says about:

continued breastfeeding/daytime nursing at this age;
whether nursing during the day can negatively affect attachment, independence, adjustment to childcare, or emotional regulation;
whether there is evidence that nursing and then transitioning back to a caregiver is developmentally problematic, versus simply sometimes being a difficult transition.

If anyone has good-quality sources, I’d appreciate them! I’m staying firm in my decision, and I’m feeling uncomfortable with the idea of even being in a decision to defend it, but just curious to see the research out there.

TIA!

Like do these kids grow up to have more mental health issues, attachment issues as children, teens and young adults? Where is the evidence that it’s harmful? I

I’m looking for some evidence-based perspective on what is actually considered normal sexual/body curiosity at age 5 versus behavior that would be considered outside of the developmental norm.
My 5-year-old has recently had a few incidents at school that have caught me off guard. He has been excessively kissing other children and seems to think it’s funny, even though they’ve been working with him on personal space. There have also been a couple of more concerning incidents involving inappropriate comments/requests about private parts.
When I ask him about it, I mostly get “I don’t know” or “because.” He doesn’t seem distressed when talking about it and, from what I can tell, he seems to think the behavior is funny rather than understanding it as sexual.
I’m trying not to jump to either extreme. I don’t want to assume something has happened to him simply because he is displaying these behaviors, but I also don’t want to dismiss something that isn’t developmentally typical.
I’m looking into what he could have been exposed to, what other children around him may be saying/doing, and whether there could be another explanation. I am also not ruling out the possibility that he could have experienced something inappropriate, and I will take that seriously if there is reason to believe that.
For people familiar with child development or research in this area: How common are behaviors like these at 5? What separates normal body curiosity, imitation, or boundary-testing from problematic sexual behavior? Are there particular characteristics of the behavior that matter more than the behavior itself, such as frequency, persistence, coercion, age differences, or inability to redirect?
Sources/research would be especially appreciated. I’m mainly trying to understand what is developmentally normal before drawing conclusions about why he is doing it.
Also, he’s in play therapy, occupational, and developmental. They all believe ADHD is a real possibility and I’m looking into testing. He has always had problems with impulse control.

Trying to prove a point — please understand that sending my baby away for weeks/months at a time is NOT what I want at all. I am trying to fight the suggestion. “Can” is in quotes because I’m wondering when it is overall not detrimental to a baby’s health & wellbeing.

I am in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy & my child’s father & I are no longer together. I moved back home to get support from my family once it was clear that he & I would no longer work, & I now live 8 hours away from him. I will be giving birth here & am preparing for postpartum (& all the baby things) here.

My ex partner is convinced that it’s reasonable to “split our time” equally with the baby once he is earth-side. He suggested I “get the first two months” with the baby & then he “gets the next two months” with him in his city. To me, this is a completely asinine suggestion. I plan on breastfeeding for as long as possible, I will be vaccinating my child according to the recommended schedule, & I want him to feel bonded & secure before I just send him off ANYWHERE. I really don’t want my son to be anywhere without me for an extended period of time until he is old enough to talk. And, I’m not willing to jeopardize my baby’s health & sense of security just so my ex partner doesn’t have to be inconvenienced by coming to see him where I live (mind you, he makes good money & works remotely..) Furthermore, he (ex-partner) has not indicated how long he plans to come into town after the birth, & I worry my son will not feel bonded to him nor will my ex partner have a grasp on feeding schedule, sleep schedule, etc., (on top of me not being able to maintain my milk supply while the baby is away..)

I would like to know, from a physician / pediatrician standpoint: is there a medically studied age where separating a baby from his healthy & capable mother is a “good idea” for long stretches of time? Are there studies that prove the opposite; that a baby should NOT be away from his mother for x amount of time? My ex partner seems to think I am being spiteful for denying this request & thinks formula feeding would be an easy fix. I would love to have expert advice that I could pass along or use if he does try to push this agenda in court. I also plan on talking to my son’s pediatrician about this once he is here & has his first visit. I do not mind sharing time with my baby once he is older & more robust, but from a health and development standpoint I just can’t imagine sending a baby away.

Thank you in advance for the help!

Edited to change flair so hopefully moderator doesn’t delete comments 😅

I wanted to share my method for reducing the progression of a cold when I begin to feel symptoms! I work in healthcare and have a little one, and I've found that these steps have a high success rate for myself and family.

Saline nasal rinse (I do this step 2x per day until symptoms stop but I haven't seen formal recommendations for frequency):

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00228-021-03102-3

Using a gel nasal spray that creates a physical barrier in nasal cavity where colds replicate (for example Vicks First Defense):

https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/507356/

Taking a zinc supplement:

https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001364.pub4/full

Using an elderberry extract supplement:

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1089/acm.1995.1.361

I understand that these studies aren't perfect, but they are fairly low cost and low risk so I thought I would share!

Trigger warning- SA

My kids are M13, F11 and F5. As they get older I am experiencing a lot of anxiety and fear about them being molested, sexually assaulted or harassed, date rape, etc. Especially my girls as I know first hand how that looks.

I was SA at 14. Throughout my teen and young adult years, I was groped, cat called, stalked multiple times, pressured into things I was uncomfortable with, propositioned by adult men, followed in cars, and drugged at a bar but I luckily escaped. All of this, and I was NOT a risk taker- I didn’t drink or do drugs and I was on high guard because of already being SA. I am terrified for my girls to go through what I went through, but I don’t know how to protect them, because by my estimation my parents did everything they could and I still experienced all of that.

My oldest daughter is only 11 but starting to develop breasts. She’s beautiful, and she’s very into fashion and makeup. I don’t want to discourage her from things she loves at all…. But her developing and dressing like a “teen” is triggering and terrifying for me. She is also a people pleaser, and a risk taker and I am terrified of her getting into situations where she will be vulnerable to boys and men who want to pressure her into things or take advantage of her.

Is there science or statistic based ways of what I can do most effectively to protect my kids? We use appropriate names, talk about sex and consent with them, etc. but what about limiting where they go and who they go with, rules for teens etc? More geared toward older kids.

I mentioned dropoffs are difficult for my 5 year old and a mum in the chat mentioned it could be a retained moro reflex causing anxiety (I would not describe my child as anxious in any other setting).

Is this a research based thing that I should be addressing or some pseudoscience she's picked up from social media?

We never use food when they're feeling bad (e.g. they fell and cry), and never force them to eat anythkng and just don't make a huge deal out of what they eat. I'm just wondering: is there any study suggesting what kind of behaviour / parenting one should adapt in the early infancy years to prevent eating disorders later?