2013-08-24

Articles: Finnish parents, Touchscreens, Breast Milk, Menus, Drowning, Melonheads

A slew of interesting articles from the past few months:
Why Finnish babies sleep in cardboard boxes
From the BBC subhead: For 75 years, Finland's expectant mothers have been given a box by the state. It's like a starter kit of clothes, sheets and toys that can even be used as a bed. And some say it helped Finland achieve one of the world's lowest infant mortality rates. Who needs an UPPAbaby bassinet?
The Touch-Screen Generation
As a multi-phone, multi-tablet (but single TV) household, it would be impossible for Gabe not to have some screen time. The stats in this long-read article are astounding: "In 2006, 90 percent of parents said that their children younger than 2 consumed some form of electronic media." "By 2010, two-thirds of children ages 4 to 7 had used an iPhone". Definitely worth a read. The article told me about this interesting website and their long-running, paid newsletter: Children's Technology Review.
The Secrets of Breast Milk
Recent scientific research into the function of breast milk (food, medicine, hormonal signal) is telling us that we really don't know that much about breast milk! Sex-specific variations? Carbohydrates indigestible by the infant? Fascinating.
Feeding the Kiddie: A brief history of the children’s menu
On recent visits to zoos and farms, we've been appalled at the cafeteria food for children: greasy pizza, deep-fried chicken fingers and other high-fat, prepared items. This article examines the history of the children's menu. Basically, it was the fault of a misguided, dogmatic pediatrician.
Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning
An informative and serious reminder about swimming safely. Don't be fooled by the movies: do you recognize when someone is in trouble in the water? Describes the Instinctive Drowning Response.
And finally, Watermelon Babies of China:

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