Family meals ease anxiety — and asthma as well.

Family mealtime is great for many things… including better outcomes for children with asthma. U.S. researchers found children’s asthma symptoms decrease if their families have regular mealtimes together.

Barbara H. Fiese, director of the University of Illinois Family Resiliency Center, said family members play an important role in helping children emotionally manage their asthma symptoms.

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Because a well-rested child is a happy, healthy child.

A good night’s sleep is crucial for anyone — especially babies, toddlers and preschoolers. If your child sleeps well, he will have better immune function and healthy growth. Did you know that growth hormones are only produced during sleep? That’s what our pediatrician tells us. Sleep affects behavior too. Kids who are sleep-deprived are cranky, impatient, distractible and do poorly in school.

Sticking to a good bedtime routine is key to developing healthy sleep habits. Start them young and be consistent. We’ll tell you how.

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Better food choices from schools to movie theaters.

Good news for us parents who want to raise healthy eaters. The U.S. school lunch program is getting a budget increase to improve nutritional quality of food served in public schools.

Senator Blanche Lincoln, chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, unveiled the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which provides $4.5 billion in new child nutrition program funding over 10 years.

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Healthy baby teeth is crucial to healthy permanent teeth

Maybe your baby’s teeth are on their way in? Well, it’s time to start taking care of them. Even though this set will only be around for a short time, their health is essential to your baby’s gums and those future permanent teeth. Make sure your baby’s new teeth get the best care. Here are some practical tips.

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A US Court asserts vaccination does not lead to autism.

A special U.S. “vaccine court” recently ruled that there is no evidence supporting a causal link between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism. Doctors and researchers have been telling us about this for years, but this ruling makes the no vaccine-and-autism link official according to the American justice system.

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The new mom’s fever FAQs answered.

The first time my firstborn had his fever, I was flustered. You worry how such a tiny baby can handle such a high temperature! Well, babies are bound to get fevers at one point but don’t worry… they will survive. In fact, fevers indicate that their tiny bodies are working to fight an infection. What’s important is to figure out what’s causing the fever.

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The FDA warns food companies to be honest with their marketing claims.

Don’t take that food label as truth. U.S. health regulators have warned units of Nestle and more than a dozen other foodmakers over nutritional claims made for baby food, nuts and other products on food labels and product websites, according to letters made public last week. The warnings came as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is set to push for new package labeling geared toward making it easier for consumers to understand the nutritional content of the foods they eat.

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Take care of yourself so you can take good care of your baby.

Having a new baby is a joyous life-changing event, true. But life changes often come with difficult transitions as well — childbirth in particular. Becoming a new mother can be overwhelming. Suddenly you have a demanding little person to take care of, you’re exhausted, your body has been battered by delivery, you’re struggling with breast feeding — add to that a few other life matters that need your attention.

Hormones are also still in flux so all these factors contribute to the baby blues that many new mothers experience. What’s the best way to ride it out? How do you know if it’s already post-partum depression?

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What should I expect when my baby starts teething?

The eruption of your baby’s first tooth is an major milestone. From the early appearance of the first tiny tooth to caring for the new set, learn what to expect from your baby’s new arrivals so you can prepare yourself. Learn how to deal with your teething baby’s discomfort.

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Don’t buy these common baby myths!

If you just had a baby, you’re bound to have a lot of advice thrown your way. But keep in mind, common wisdom isn’t always wise. We know better these days. Holding a baby often or picking him up when he cries won’t spoil him. Keeping your baby from taking an afternoon nap is not going to make him sleep faster at night — it’s just going to make him overtired and cranky. If you’re breast feeding, spicy or citrus food won’t make your baby reject your milk. And the list of baby myths goes on and on….

When in doubt about advice thrown your way, double check with a trusted source — like your pediatrician. Meanwhile, we have four common baby myths we’ll debunk for you right now.

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