Children's Health

New advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that newborns sleep in their parents' rooms for at least the first 6 months to avoid SIDS.

Health & Safety

For Parents, New Newborn Sleep Advice Turns Babies Into Roommates

10:19am October 25, 2016

by NPR Staff

American Academy of Pediatrics recommends newborns sleep in their parents' rooms until they're at least 6 months old to avoid SIDS. David Greene talks to Natasha Burgert, doctor, mother and blogger.

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Health & Safety

New Guidelines To Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Released

7:24pm October 24, 2016

The American Academy of Pediatrics has new advice out for parents to protect babies from sudden infant death syndrome. SIDS claims the lives of about 3,500 babies each year in the U.S.

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Newborn baby is shown sleeping on a bed. A new report says it's much safer for a baby to sleep alone on a crib with no pillows or blankets.

Pediatricians Release New Guidance For Preventing Sudden Infant Deaths

6:27pm October 24, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Infants should sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months of their lives, and ideally, the entire first year. That's a key recommendation from the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dennis Ogbe practiced by throwing rocks and auto parts — and now is a world-class shot-putter among athletes with disabilities. Above, he competes in the Parapan American Games.

Rocks And Auto Parts Were Part Of Polio Survivor's Rehab Plan

11:42am October 24, 2016

by Vicky Hallett

Dennis Ogbe got polio at age 3 in Nigeria. He's gone on to win medals in the Paralympics. And he hopes the battle against polio will be won, despite its reappearance in his homeland.

Can you prevent mental illnesses like schizophrenia or anxiety by taking a vitamin supplement?

Can Mental Illness Be Prevented In The Womb?

6:00am October 22, 2016

by Bret Stetka

Researchers are exploring changes in prenatal nutrition to lower risks for future mental disorders. The work is preliminary, but there is ample precedent for maternal diet affecting children's health.

Pediatricians realize parents need strategies beyond "Put down that phone!"

No Snapchat In The Bedroom? An Online Tool To Manage Kids' Media Use

4:34pm October 21, 2016

by Katherine Hobson

The American Academy of Pediatrics has launched more liberal guidelines on children's media use. They're offering parents an online tool to help manage the what, where and when of family screen time.

Rishi Manchanda giving his TED Talk on TED MED 2014

How Can Your Home Make You Sick?

9:09am October 21, 2016

by NPR/TED Staff

When Dr. Rishi Manchanda worked in a clinic in South Central Los Angeles, he saw that patients were getting sick because of toxic living conditions — so he tried a unique treatment approach.

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Courtesy of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

WEBCAST: The Cost And Quality Conundrum Of Child Care

6:44pm October 18, 2016

by Joe Neel

High-quality, affordable child care can be difficult to find. A webcast looked at the issues and a poll by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Parents say they're getting excellent child care. Researchers aren't convinced.

What Makes For Quality Child Care? It Depends Whom You Ask

12:12pm October 18, 2016

by Alison Kodjak

Parents look for a place where their child will be loved and happy, but often have to make decisions based on cost and location. Researchers are looking for a rich developmental experience.

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A new poll finds 88 percent of parents rate child care as very good or excellent. But researchers say that's off base. By their measures, just 10 percent of child care rates as high quality.

NPR Poll: Are Parents Overrating The Quality Of Child Care?

5:46pm October 17, 2016

by Joe Neel

Almost all parents rate their child care as very good or excellent, according to a new NPR poll. But researchers say that's off base, and that just 10 percent of child care is high quality.