Baby massage has a positive effect on the mood status of mothers, according to a recent study that was summarized here.
Now, here’s a review the benefits to the baby, based on the published medical literature.
Category Archives: Infants
Probiotics and dermatitis: A review in infants and kids
Researchers from Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences (AIBS) in Athens, Greece reviewed the evidence for probiotics in treating or preventing atopic dermatitis in children. Continue reading Probiotics and dermatitis: A review in infants and kids
The pros and cons of folic acid fortification of foods
Fortifying food, such as wheat and corn flour, with folic acid reduces the risk of spina bifida in babies.
This public health practice was introduced 10 years ago in North America. Now, that practice is being debated in the UK and worldwide. “Are the benefits to the few outweighed by possible harm to some of the many exposed? Continue reading The pros and cons of folic acid fortification of foods
What we know about black cohosh
A continuing education article on Medscape presents a nice summary on the use of black cohosh to treat the symptoms of menopause. Continue reading What we know about black cohosh
Peppermint oil is “probably effective”
No consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence is available on peppermint oil (Mentha piperita). So, the authors based their conclusions on the criteria in the strength of recommendation taxonomy (SORT). Continue reading Peppermint oil is “probably effective”
Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy
The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has summarized the recommendations from official groups, worldwide. Their website should be essential reading for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and women thinking of becoming pregnant.
Let’s summarize their summary recommendations. Continue reading Summarizing seafood recommendations during pregnancy
The effect of a familiar odor on newborns during an uncomfortable procedure
Exposure to a familiar odor was associated with less crying. Continue reading The effect of a familiar odor on newborns during an uncomfortable procedure
Benefits of folic acid fortification in Canada
It’s associated with a significant reduction in the rate of neural-tube defects (eg, spina bifida) in Canada. Continue reading Benefits of folic acid fortification in Canada
Probiotics effective in infants with enterocolitis
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious intestinal disorder. It affects 7% to 15% of very low-birth-weight (less than 1500-gram; 3.3 pound) infants. Death occurs in about 12 per 100,000 affected babies.
A review published in The Lancet concludes, “Probiotics might reduce the risk.” Although important questions remain. Continue reading Probiotics effective in infants with enterocolitis
Preventing liver disease in infants getting parenteral nutrition
For infants who must be feed using nutrition injected directly into a large blood vessel, the development of liver disease is a life-threatening long-term complication.
The condition is called parenteral nutrition associated liver disease (PNALD), and a study presented during the annual meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies reports that injecting fish-oil based omega-3 lipids is safe and effective treatment. Continue reading Preventing liver disease in infants getting parenteral nutrition
Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
According to 2 studies summarized earlier, modifying the dietary intake of omega-3 and -6 fatty acids during early childhood does not change the risk of getting asthma later on.
Now, we have a study of fish, butter, and margarine consumption during pregnancy and development of allergy in the offspring.
Continue reading Effect of diet during pregnancy on allergenicity of offspring
Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
Infant formulas are designed to lower the chances of developing allergy or food intolerance.
But do they?
Continue reading Soy formula vs cow’s milk formula to reduce allergies in infants and children
A prebiotic reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants
For the first time prebiotics lowered the risk atopic dermatitis in a high-risk population of infants.
More than 200 infants at risk for atopy (an allergy involving an inherited immunoglobulin of the IgE type) took part in the study. Those on bottle-feeding were randomly assigned to a prebiotic formula (a mixture of galacto- and long chain fructo-oligosaccharides) or maltodextrine as placebo.
Continue reading A prebiotic reduces the incidence of atopic dermatitis in high-risk infants
The effect of baby massage on mom’s mood
Feeling tired, overwhelmed, stress out? Maybe more physical contact with the baby is the answer.
A study of the effects of baby massage on mothers? mood status concluded ?- as we would have guessed — baby massage has a positive effect on the mood status of the mothers.