babies

Fetal Cells May Protect Mom From Disease Long After The Baby's Born

8:11am October 26, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

In 1893, a German scientist made a striking discovery: Cells from a fetus hide out in a mother's body after birth. Scientists say these cells alter the risk of breast cancer and autoimmune diseases.

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Only about a third of U.S. hospitals offer women breast-feeding help after they leave the hospital, according to report released Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hospitals Still Don't Give Moms Enough Support For Breast-Feeding

1:39pm October 08, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Although an increasing number of U.S. hospitals and other birthing centers now encourage women to breast-feed and teach them how, other common practices by staff can hinder moms from sticking with it.

Preemies' Survival Rates Improve, But Many Challenges Remain

7:51am September 09, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Extremely premature babies, those born between 22 and 28 weeks of gestation, are more likely to survive now than they were 20 years ago. But the very youngest still have serious health problems.

By the time they're 18 months old, kids know when you're sad, even if you're not bawling.

What Babies Understand About Adult Sadness

11:54pm June 12, 2015

by Maanvi Singh

Babies may show greater empathy toward adults who overtly show sadness, a study suggests, but the little ones also recognize sadness in people who keep a stiff upper lip.

A free pregnancy test dispenser hangs next to a condom dispenser in the women's restroom at the Peanut Farm bar in Anchorage.

Will Pregnancy Tests In Alaska Bars Dissuade Moms-To-Be From Drinking?

1:34pm May 12, 2015

by Casey Kelly

A small number of bars are offering the free tests as part of a state-funded pilot program aiming to reduce the number of babies born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

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During the first year of life, a baby's gut will become home to about 1,000 species of bacteria.

Bundle Of Joyful Microbes: Mom's DNA Alters Baby's Gut Bacteria

8:35pm April 10, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

Babies have a microbe in their gut that prevents infections and helps the immune system. But not all infants get the bacteria at the same time, or in the same amount. Scientists have figured out why.

The number of women buying, selling and sharing breast milk is growing rapidly. But it can be a risky purchase, scientists say, because a mom can't tell by looking at the milk whether it's safe and nutritious for her baby.

Breast Milk Sold Online Contaminated With Cow's Milk

7:54pm April 07, 2015

by Michaeleen Doucleff

We're not talking about just a smidge. Roughly 10 percent of samples tested contained at least 10 percent cow's milk. Doctors say the diluted milk could be dangerous for babies for several reasons.

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A mother feeds her new baby at the Yida refugee camp in South Sudan, which has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world. About 1 in 7 women in South Sudan die from causes related to pregnancy.

How Far Has The Health Of Moms Come Since 1995?

7:03am March 15, 2015

by Nurith Aizenman

The rate of women worldwide who die in childbirth has dropped by more than 40 percent over the past two decades. But does this rosy global health statistic overstate the extent of change?

Mina, a 22-year-old mother in Jamkani, Chhattisgarh, says sending her child to the Fulwari gives her more time to farm and collect forest wood.

How 'Flower Beds' Give Love And Lentils To Moms And Babies

8:09pm March 02, 2015

by Ankita Rao

When mothers need day care for their children, the best person to turn to might be another mother. That's the lesson of the new cooperative nurseries in an Indian state.

Health & Safety

Triad Parents Join Global Effort to Set 'Diaper Changing' World Record

4:21pm April 25, 2014

Users of cloth diapers have their sights on the Guinness Book of World Records.