Early Childhood Development
Circumcision: the Health Benefits and Risks
While many parents decide whether to circumcise their sons based on culture or religion, a 2012 report found that the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the procedure. Read More
Pesticides and Cancer in Children: Is There A Connection?
Pesticides have long been known to cause birth defects and poisoning if ingested. Now research is showing that even small quantities of rodent and insect killing pesticides can be toxic over time to children. Read More
Caution: Children at Play on Potentially Toxic Surfaces
The use of human-made surfaces on playgrounds has increased dramatically over the years, but some materials used to replace grass are potentially dangerous. Read More
Are Bisphenol A (BPA) Plastic Products Safe?
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical used to make plastics. It is frequently used in sports equipment, water bottles, medical devices, as a coating or lining in food and beverage cans, and in credit card receipts. It leaches out of plastic into liquids and foods, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found measurable amounts of BPA in the bodies of 93% of the U.S. population studied. While early concerns about BPA’s health effects were based primarily on animal studies and research on cells, there is increasing evidence from studies in humans that BPA can cause serious harm, such as increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and sexual dysfunction. Read More
Arsenic and Lead in our juice (and you thought poisoned apples were only in fairy tales!)
Learn how much arsenic has been found in common foods and drinks (too much!)–and what laws are in place to protect your family from this known carcinogen (not many!). Read More
Rock-a-bye Baby, Chemicals and All: The health risks posed by crib mattresses
In recent years, the safety regulations for cribs have increased yet little attention has been given to the safety of crib mattresses. A new study finds that an alarming number of mattresses contain chemicals that may pose serious health risks for infants. Read More
Can Cleanliness Increase The Risk of Allergies and Asthma?
Is being too clean bad for your health? Research indicates that some of the products we use to avoid germs may contribute to the development of conditions like asthma and allergies. Read More
Violence in G-Rated Animated Films
Today, children are constantly being exposed to television shows and movies that contain explicit material such as increased violence, as well as inappropriate language and sexual content. With increased availability of these materials, many parents find it hard to monitor what their children are exposed to on a daily basis. Read More
Young Children and Screen Time (Television, DVDs, Computer)
Is you child watching too much TV? Read this article to learn more about how TV could be harming your child’s development. And get helpful tips for limiting your child’s screen time. Read More
Is Play on the Endangered List?
Building with blocks, playing house, a game of tag…Most of us have fond childhood memories that include these and similar kinds of play. But unstructured play-the activities, games, and “make-believe” that children themselves come up with and engage in, either alone or in groups, is fast becoming extinct. Read More