Maternal flu shots protect newborns: U.S. study

jerry submitted, created time 2 months 2 weeks (www.reuters.com)

Flu shots given to pregnant women a month or more before delivery will prevent most cases of influenza during the first six months of their babies' lives, researchers said.

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C-sections might affect a new mother's ability to bond

Darkfrog submitted, created time 2 months 3 weeks (well.blogs.nytimes.com)

This is interesting. It's a New York Times writeup of a study in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry showing that women who deliver their children vaginally as opposed to by C-section are more responsive to the sound of infants crying a short time after the birth takes place.

There are some flaws in this study. First off, it only involved a small number of women, which increases the likelihood of statistical errors. Second, it does not show how whether this is a case of delayed attachment or stunted attachment. C-section moms might well catch up as time passes

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Fat Mum Hastens Path to Childhood Obesity

sea-maid submitted, created time 3 months 4 days (www.sciencedaily.com)

There is a correlation between children's obesity rates and those of their mothers, finds a new study. Other factors linked to a child's tendency to become obese include too much time spent in front of the TV and rapidly piling on the pounds in early childhood.

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If pregnant women stop smoking, babies are happier