Research on mothers' health, family life, and parenting. Covers maternal wellbeing, vaccination questions, marriage and relationships, and breastfeeding.
A Pennsylvania study found that infants born to mothers near active fracking sites are 25% more likely to have low birthweight, a risk factor for infant mortality and other health issues. Exposure to fracking pollutants may contribute to this increased risk.
A new case study reveals the potential for Chagas disease transmission among individuals with family ties to Central and South American nations. Early detection and treatment can prevent serious long-term effects such as heart failure.
A new study reveals complex associations between early marriage and women's education, health, and nutrition, which go beyond the impacts of early childbearing. Increased education has had some success in delaying girls' marriage, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of this issue.
A study from the University of Sheffield found that breastfeeding rates increased by six percentage points in areas where a shopping voucher scheme was offered. The scheme provided £120 worth of vouchers for every breastfeeding milestone reached, and saw a 46% uptake among eligible mothers.
A recent study published by Swansea University found that babies who feed themselves solid foods have no increased risk of choking. The study analyzed 1151 mothers and their babies aged 4-12 months, concluding that baby-led weaning approaches do not pose a choking risk as long as high-risk foods are avoided.
A happy working mom is one who feels competent and has a warm relationship with her child. Her sense of well-being depends on meeting her own psychological needs, rather than her baby's temperament. Mothers should prioritize their daily needs to interact with their children in a more sensitive and positive way.
A Northwestern University study reveals that fathers of premature babies exhibit higher stress levels after being discharged from the hospital compared to their mothers. The cortisol levels in fathers' saliva increased steadily over 14 days at home, while those of mothers remained stable.
A team of scientists discovered that a major cause of variation between genetically identical C. elegans worms is their mother's age, particularly in younger mothers. The study found that the youngest mothers produce offspring with impaired characteristics such as size, growth rate, and starvation resistance.
A new study finds that prenatal stress during late gestation reduces offspring growth during dependence, resulting in a reduced body size throughout development. In contrast, early prenatal stress accelerates growth and increases size after weaning to ensure reproduction before death.
Research suggests that antibiotic use in mothers may alter the microbiome of their offspring, increasing the risk for inflammatory bowel disease. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, found that exposure to antibiotics can change the mix of bacterial species in maternal microbes, which are then passed on to their children.
Researchers propose hypothesis that prenatal stress affects offspring in two ways: early stages leading to slow growth and later stages leading to fast growth. Study across 21 mammal species supports this idea, predicting outcomes in offspring development and performance.
Research suggests mothers of teenagers with ASD experience high levels of stress and negative psychological symptoms. However, an optimistic outlook can serve as a buffer against these effects, allowing them to better cope with parenting challenges.
In cooperatively breeding species, females tend to produce smaller eggs when help with rearing offspring is at hand. This reduction in egg size allows breeding females to conserve energy and increase their chances of survival to the next year or having the next set of offspring sooner.
Research suggests that mothers who were overweight or obese before pregnancy face a higher risk of compromised neurodevelopmental outcomes in their children, including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Maintaining a healthy weight during pregnancy may also be crucial for optimal brain development.
Female chimpanzees who leave their family and friends behind take longer to become mothers, around three years on average, due to social integration challenges. In contrast, those with supportive networks start reproducing earlier, raising questions about the factors influencing this behavior.
A new study from Boston Children's Hospital suggests that eating allergenic foods during pregnancy can protect children from food allergies when breastfed. The research found that antibodies in breast milk transferred to offspring helped induce food tolerance, and the findings support recent guidelines rejecting advice to avoid highly ...
Research published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine found that a mother's diet can protect nursing newborns against food allergies. The study, supported by Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), suggests that mothers should feel free to eat a healthy and diverse diet throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that taking a 20-minute walk in nature with moms and daughters can improve their interactions and reduce mental fatigue. The research supports the attention restoration theory, which suggests that interaction with natural environments can restore attentional functioning.
Researchers explored predictors of maternal supportive behavior during emotional challenges, revealing a time-lagged association between child's aversive behavior and mom's less supportive response.
Prior Zika infection protects against reinfection during pregnancy in mice, according to new research published in PLOS Pathogens. Protective antibodies from previous infection defend against reinfection, reducing Zika RNA levels and fetal risk.
Scientists from the German Center for Infection Research found that the Zika virus has a high seroprevalence rate in Salvador, northeastern Brazil, suggesting that further outbreaks are unlikely. The study linked this finding to increased population immunity and socioeconomic factors such as poverty.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center discovered that some women who develop symptom-free Zika infections may acquire immunity that protects them from future infections and their offspring. This finding suggests the possibility of developing diagnostic tests to identify naturally immune women, which could help pr...
A cohort study of nearly 80,000 UK women found that inducing first-time mothers aged 35 or over 1-2 weeks earlier was linked to the risk of perinatal death falling from 26 per 10,000 pregnancies to 8 per 10,000 pregnancies. Early induction may reduce stillbirths and neonatal deaths in this age group.
A new study found that breastfed babies have a 54% lower risk of eczema at age 16. The study examined over 13,000 Belarussian teenagers and found that exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months significantly reduced the risk of eczema.
A study on rabbits found that exposure to BPA during pregnancy causes chronic inflammation in the intestines and liver, leading to changes in gut bacteria. This could have long-lasting health effects for the offspring, increasing the risk of obesity and inflammation-promoted diseases like colon cancer and type 2 diabetes.
A study published in Anesthesiology found that breastfeeding six weeks after delivery is not affected by the use of fentanyl in epidural pain relief. The study included 345 women who received different epidural solutions and found no adverse consequences on breastfeeding success.
Researchers at the University of New South Wales have found that a drug called NMN can reverse many of the negative metabolic consequences of maternal obesity in offspring. The study suggests that this could be a potential new approach to preventing childhood obesity.
A new study from Lund University reveals that depression among new fathers may be more common than previously thought and often goes undetected. The established screening method for depression in mothers is found to work poorly on men, with symptoms such as irritability and low self-control being overlooked.
A new study by Alex Jensen reveals that younger siblings experience a stronger impact from family favoritism compared to older siblings. The research found that when children perceive favoritism, their relationship with parents is strengthened if they feel like the favorite and the parents agree, but weakened if they don't.
Researchers studying a traditional population in the Bolivian Amazon found that Tsimane children spend less than one minute per hour talking to their parents, compared to ten times less than in Western countries. This variation highlights wide intercultural differences in language development.
Researchers from CHOP and Penn Nursing found that mindfulness can be a helpful tool for mothers to pause and be present in the moment, reducing stress and improving focus. The study suggests that mindfulness should start early, preferably immediately after the prenatal CHD diagnosis, and can be more accessible than traditional meditation.
Women who became first-time mothers as teens had greater risks for heart and blood vessel disease later in life compared to older mothers. Researchers found that adolescent mothers scored significantly higher on Framingham Risk Score, indicating a 10-year cardiovascular risk.
A new study shows that chimpanzees can work together without external cues to complete a number sequencing task, demonstrating advanced coordination skills. Young chimpanzees showed higher accuracy and speed in taking turns, while mothers were faster individually, highlighting asymmetry in information transmission.
A new study shows that young bats adopt a specific 'dialect' spoken by their colonies, even when it differs from their mother tongue. Researchers used playback recordings to expose pups to different vocalizations and found they developed a dialect resembling the one they were exposed to.
Researchers discovered that mothers with high levels of neutralizing antibodies were more likely to pass on HIV to their infants through breast milk. Infants born to these mothers were also at higher risk of serious illness or death from the virus.
Researchers found that young bats pick up specific vocalizations from their colony members, developing a unique dialect. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of language skills and raises questions about how bats adapt to new colonies.
A longitudinal study published by the American Psychological Association found that women who breastfed their children longer exhibited greater maternal sensitivity well past infancy and toddler years. The effect sizes were small, suggesting the bond may be strengthened through multiple interactions, not just breastfeeding.
Researchers analyzed records of over 2.5 million women from 14 countries, finding that living with a mother-in-law actually results in lower family sizes. Women who live with either their own or husband's mother have fewer children compared to those who only live with their spouse.
Researchers observed maternal responses to infant crying across 11 countries, finding common brain activity patterns in new mothers. The study suggests a neurobiological and evolutionary basis for the human maternal response to infant cries.
A NIH study found that infant cries activate specific brain regions related to movement and speech in mothers worldwide. Consistent behaviors across cultures suggest hard-wired reactions to infant cries.
A study presented at the ANESTHESIOLOGY 2017 annual meeting found that women giving birth in winter or spring are less likely to develop postpartum depression. Higher gestational age and not having anesthesia during delivery increased risk, while increased body mass index was associated with a higher risk.
A study published by The BMJ found that lying down during the second stage of labor for women with low-dose epidurals increases the chance of a spontaneous vaginal birth. This approach shows no adverse consequences for mothers or babies.
A recent study published in The BMJ found that first-time mothers with an epidural who adopt a lying down position during the second stage of labor are more likely to deliver their baby without any medical intervention. The study involved 3,093 women and found a 5.9% increase in the chance of spontaneous birth in the lying down group.
Princeton researchers identify a new cue in mother's speech to support babies' language learning: a shift in vocal timbre. This finding is consistent across women who speak 10 languages and can be reliably picked out by machine learning algorithms.
A new study published in The Journal of Physiology found that pregnant women who sleep on their backs during late pregnancy may be at increased risk of late stillbirth. Fetal activity levels were lower when mothers slept on their backs, suggesting a potential link between maternal position and fetal wellbeing.
Researchers found that mothers alter their voice timbre when speaking to infants, regardless of native language. This consistent shift enables computers to distinguish between infant- and adult-directed speech.
A new study shows that guppies in low-predation environments, where food is scarce, gestate their young for a longer period to ensure they are born more mature and better equipped to compete for food. This strategy allows them to capitalize on the limited resources available.
A study of 220 Australian children found that a maternal immune-mediated subtype of autism is linked to poorer social outcomes. The researchers identified associations between maternal allergies or asthma and increased severity of social symptoms in children with ASD.
A study by Lancaster University found that women with troubled childhoods are more likely to have their children removed by the courts. Despite challenges, many women were able to turn their lives around and care for new babies with support from new partners and positive relationships.
A recent study by University of Texas at Arlington researchers found that acculturation may be linked to psychological birth trauma among young Latina mothers. The sample of 66 Hispanic females aged 13-19 showed higher rates of depression and lack of support, contributing to increased risk of PTSD.
A Tel Aviv University study found that intrapartum fever, which occurs during labor, is associated with higher rates of operative vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections. Women with positive bacterial cultures had a increased risk of neonatal complications compared to those with negative cultures.
Babies born between 37-38 weeks have a 57% higher risk of poor cardiorespiratory fitness, according to the study. Early term deliveries may lead to neurological, cognitive and respiratory issues in adolescence and early adulthood.
Researchers found that anxious mothers' babies spend more time looking at angry faces before turning away, suggesting a genetic component to anxiety development. This study could help predict which children are at risk for anxiety and potentially prevent its development.
A study found that rats whose mothers ate a junk food diet during pregnancy had offspring that preferred fatty foods and showed altered brain reward circuitry into adulthood. A balanced diet in childhood seemed to reduce this preference, but did not eliminate it entirely.
A new study by Allina Health found that using a combination of education and a tracking tool improves communication about gestational weight gain during prenatal care. Patients at intervention clinics were more likely to remember provider advice on weight gain and report a target weight within guidelines.
Researchers found that signalling by prolactin to its receptors is essential for mothers to show vital maternal nurturing behaviour towards their young. This discovery may explain why some animal species abandon their young and highlights the importance of prolactin in establishing a bond between mother and baby.
A University of Arizona study finds that when one parent handles conflict destructively, children feel more emotionally insecure. Parents who argue constructively create a more stable home environment.
A new Iowa State University study found that midlife depression is associated with tension in relationships with mothers and siblings, similar to those with spouses. The research also shows a stronger predictor of depression for daughters than sons, highlighting the importance of considering whole family dynamics.
Researchers found that teen fathers are less likely to provide financial support, but teen parents are staying in school longer and have seen an uptick in income. The study suggests that factors like the 'cougar effect' and improved reporting of teenage males may contribute to the growth in teenage paternity.
Researchers analyzed data from 222 babies with NAS and 490 without, finding that 100% of mothers of infants with NAS tested positive for substance use. However, 26.7% of control group mothers also used substances, highlighting the need for better access to addiction treatment for pregnant women.