It’s cool to be weird

The latest in parenting news, tips, and trends:

Why nursing pillows have been linked to more than 160 infant deaths, according to a new report. A reminder that safe sleep is critical.

How small moments of joy in childhood (like reading a book) can help decrease the risks of depression and mental health struggles later on.

Why the new postpartum depression pill may come with a hefty price tag, and how that could impact accessibility.

This mom’s honest take on what it’s like to share custody during the summer. A “butterfly effect” that includes ups and downs.

CDC data that shows routine vaccination rates for kindergarteners have declined for the second year in a row. Plus, the three shots for fall.

We asked you to vote on a question you’d like answered. The winner was:

When should I begin screen time for kids?

FEATURED EXPERT:

Jenny Radesky, MD

Developmental-behavioral pediatrician and co-medical director of the AAP Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health  

“In terms of brain development, toddlers start understanding screen media and learning from it around 18-24 months, so that would be the ideal time for a regular habit such as watching about an hour of something educational … like PBS KIDS, Sesame Street, or Bluey. I don’t mean any app that claims it’s educational because our research shows that most actually aren’t. 

“[I] recommend limiting TV, videos, and games for those under 18 months because there’s not much benefit to the child. They’re not yet developmentally ready to learn from screen-based videos or TV shows. They may look mesmerized … but nothing is sticking from that experience unless a caregiver sings along or makes it interactive. I totally understand that there may be benefits to an exhausted parent who needs a break, and in that case [I] recommend making it brief (less than 1 hour) and educational, and talking to the infant about what was on the screen. 

“Research shows that kids who started watching TV in infancy have worse executive functioning skills (like self-control, attention regulation) in preschool years, except if the TV program was something educational. More time on media in early childhood is also linked with language delays, less reading, and more behavioral challenges.

“However, FaceTiming or video chatting in infancy is great to help babies build relationships with people they can’t see in real life, so I tell parents not to think of that as screen time.”

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 

Which question should an expert answer in the future?

P.S. The question with the most votes will be answered in an upcoming newsletter, so stay tuned. You can also ask an anonymous question for our parenting experts here.

Ways to Get the Nutrients You Need Postpartum

“Nutrient needs in pregnancy and postpartum actually overlap quite a bit, but they’re even higher in postpartum. You’re replenishing the nutrients that were transferred to your baby in pregnancy. Meeting your nutrition needs in postpartum will not only help your baby thrive, but will help you heal faster, too,” says Lily Nichols, RDN, a prenatal and postpartum dietitian and author of “Real Food for Pregnancy.” The main takeaway: Focus on eating protein and nutrient-dense foods.

Here are some easy ways to get the nutrition you need:

• Eat dishes made with bone broth: That includes soups, hearty stews, and curries to support tissue repair. 

• High-iron, high protein: Slow-cooked meat, seafood, and liver (sounds questionable, but you can hide it in ground meat dishes) are nutrient powerhouses that can help replenish nutrient stores, fuel breastfeeding, and support tissue healing, says Nichols. 

• Incorporate foods rich in omega-3s: Seafood, eggs, and grass-fed beef are good sources of this type of fatty acid and also contain choline, which can support your baby’s brain development (and help your brain health, too).

• Make sure you’re getting enough fat: Focus on fats from whole food sources, especially butter, fatty fish, meat, avocado, nuts, and seeds help keep you full and fuel the higher energy demands of breastfeeding.

• Plan ahead: If you can, get your freezer stocked with nutritious meals and share recipes with friends and family who will want to bring you meals. Nichols suggests these 50 postpartum recipes to help you get started. 

FEATURED EXPERT:

Lily Nichols, RDN

Prenatal and postpartum dietitian and author of “Real Food for Pregnancy.”

Why Don’t Enough Parents Know About Peanut Exposure Recs?

The good news: Exposing certain infants ages 4-6 months to peanuts can lower the risk for peanut allergies. The not-so-great news: A new study shows a majority of parents don’t know about this guidance (that was released six years ago). 

Researchers heard from about 3,000 parents and caregivers and found that nearly 9 in 10 didn’t know about the most recent guidelines. And, only 17% of parents said they introduced peanut-containing foods to their infants before they turned 7 months old. What’s holding some of those parents back? A totally normal fear of an allergic reaction. However, less than 2% of parents reported that their kid had allergic reactions during peanut introduction. Of those, the most common symptoms among infants were hives, rash, itching, and swelling.   

The study points out “clear differences” in the people who reported awareness based on sociodemographic factors, including age, race, income, and education. People who self-reported as white, and who had some form of higher education, and those with higher income levels were more likely to be aware of the guidelines, reflecting “the disproportionate access to medical care and medical information in the United States,” wrote researchers. 

PS: Here’s a summary of those 2017 guidelines. Plus, a great resource on introducing peanuts.