American Academy of Pediatrics Recommends Breastfed Babies Sleep in Parents’ Bedroom

The AAP released updated guidelines that encourage pediatricians and lactation support specialists to better promote long term breastfeeding. Besides recommending exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continuation of breastfeeding for one year and beyond, the Academy made a new recommendation: breastfed babies should sleep in the same room with the mother to better facilitate nighttime feedings.

Dr. Lawrence Gartner, co-author of the new policy, stated that breastfeeding infants should sleep in a bassinet near the mother’s bed or in a crib that attaches to the bed because breastfeeding is enhanced when a mother can respond properly to signs of baby’s hunger during the night. Dr. Gartner added there is also evidence that sleeping in proximity to each other (mom and baby) can lower a baby’s chance of SIDS, although the reason for this is unclear.

Dr. Sears comments: For many years we have recommended parents sleep close to their babies, and it is good to see the AAP agree with this. Click here to read more about how to sleep close to your baby, safely.

Peanut Allergy on the Rise
It seems ironic that one of the most popular, most readily available proteins causes one of the most pervasive and severe allergies among Americans.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology estimates that up to 2 million, or 8%, of children in the United States are affected by food allergies, and that six foods account for 90% of those food allergy reactions in kids: milk, eggs, peanuts, wheat, soy, and tree nuts.

The first signs of an allergic reaction can be a runny nose, a skin rash all over the body, or a tingly tongue. The symptoms can quickly become more serious - such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or other parts of the body, a rapid drop in blood pressure, and dizziness or unconsciousness. Other possible symptoms include hives, tightness of the throat, a hoarse voice, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and lightheadedness.

Children should avoid peanut butter or other peanut or nut products until after they're 2-years-old. If there's a family history of food allergies, parents should wait until the child is 3. And many doctors recommend that their pregnant patients - especially those with food allergies - keep the lid on the peanut butter jar until after the baby's born and they're done nursing.

Dr Sears’ Comments: Many parents still give me a funny look when I tell them to avoid peanuts in their kids until age 2 or 3. I included this story so those parents would know that it’s not just me saying this. Click here to read about tracking down food allergies.

Study Finds Most Bone Growth Occurs at Night
CHICAGO (Reuters) - The perception that children seem to grow taller overnight is likely true, researchers have found. Scientists at the University of Wisconsin's School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison placed sensors on the leg bones of lambs to monitor bone growth in the animals. Ninety percent of bone growth occurred when the animals were sleeping or otherwise at rest, according to the study published in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics.

Dr Sears’ Comments: It seems parents aren’t imagining things when it seems our kids grew taller overnight. Maybe I’ll use this information to entice my 6-year-old when he doesn’t want to go to bed.

British Children's Waistlines Growing by an Inch Each Decade
New research based on 3,000 children shows that waist sizes in children as young as six have increased substantially over the past 10 years, with the biggest changes in girls aged two to three.

"These findings should urge healthcare agencies and schools to continue to work vigorously towards promoting healthier lifestyles, including increased physical activity particularly for young children,'' say the researchers, reporting in the latest issue of the International Journal of Obesity.

Dr Sears’ Comments: We all know that children are getting heavier. Unfortunately, this weight is usually at the waistline – the most unhealthy place to have extra fat. There is a wealth of healthy eating suggestions in our family nutrition section. Or click here to read about Dr. Sears LEAN Program.