The proposed limits aim to cap lead levels at 10 parts per billion in fruits, vegetables, yogurts and meats, and 20 parts per billion in root vegetables and in dry infant cereals. The agency did not yet set specific targets for grain-based snacks such as puffs and teething crackers, which have both been shown to be high in heavy metals across the board. 

Related: The FDA is finally taking action to regulate the levels of lead found in children’s juice

“For babies and young children who eat the foods covered in today’s draft guidance, the FDA estimates that these action levels could result in as much as a 24-27% reduction in exposure to lead from these foods,” said FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf, MD, in a press release.

Because the draft guidance is not yet mandatory, baby food manufacturers have time before they have to comply. If the guidance is finalized after the 60-day period for public comment, it would be enforceable, allowing the agency to recall or seize products or even recommend criminal prosecution. The new guidelines complement the steps the agency took last year to regulate the levels of lead in juice and rice cereal. 

Today we announced draft guidance for industry on action levels for lead in processed foods that are intended for babies and children under 2 years of age, to help reduce potential health effects in this vulnerable population from dietary exposure to lead. https://t.co/XjDF76QW3S pic.twitter.com/51ufGLr4RO

— U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) January 24, 2023

A mixed response to new FDA levels for lead in baby food 

Even low levels of lead exposure in young children can be harmful, as the guidelines explain, noting that lead exposure during early childhood has been linked to developmental delays, learning disabilities and behavioral difficulties. “Because lead can accumulate in the body, even low-level chronic exposure can be hazardous over time,” the guideline authors state. But it’s not just lead that’s an issue in early childhood brain development—other heavy metals such as arsenic, which can be found in high levels in brown rice and brown-rice based products, can also wreak havoc. The current guidelines don’t address these other toxins.

Related: Heavy metal toxins abound in homemade baby food, too, report finds

Some experts applaud the agency’s actions. “This is really important progress for babies,” said Scott Faber, vice president of public affairs for the Environmental Working Group, to The New York Times. “We were grateful that F.D.A. and the Biden administration has made reducing toxic metals in baby food a priority.”

But others think the steps are not drastic enough. “It doesn’t go far enough to protect babies from neurodevelopmental damage from lead exposures,” said Jane Houlihan, research director for Healthy Babies Bright Futures, a nonprofit which released a report on lead in homemade baby food, to The Times. “Lead is in almost every baby food we’ve tested, and the action levels that F.D.A. has set will influence almost none of that food.”

The newly proposed limits may work to address products with the highest amounts of lead found in third-party testing, Houlihan notes, but otherwise the majority of products can be continued to be offered without changes. 

“Heavy metals were in foods from every section of the store. As the FDA is setting standards for heavy metals in baby food, they need to go beyond the baby food aisle.” – Jane Houlihan, HBBF’s Research Director

What you can do to avoid toxic chemicals: https://t.co/4UtMc9hore

— Healthy Babies Bright Futures (@HBBForg) January 10, 2023

How to reduce your child’s exposure to lead in baby food

It’s difficult to limit lead exposure without also limiting the availability of certain foods, which can be rich in nutrients like vitamins and minerals that are key for growth. 

Lead and other heavy metals abound in the natural environment, which is why they’re found both in store-bought products and in homemade purees. Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots, for example, tend to be higher in lead and heavy metals because of how they’re grown—in soil. Peeling them before cooking is one option, but to cut out all root vegetables from your child’s diet could mean they’ll miss out on a good source of vitamin A and fiber, for example. 

Related: 5 tips on making safe, brain boosting baby food at home

To work to reduce your child’s exposure to lead and heavy metals in food, the key is to offer a wide variety of foods from a plethora of sources, so that you don’t end up relying on a small number of options that could be higher in toxins than others.  

“To support child growth and development, we recommend parents and caregivers feed children a varied and nutrient-dense diet across and within the main food groups of vegetables, fruits, grains, dairy and protein foods,” said Susan Mayne, Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. “This approach helps your children get important nutrients and may reduce potential harmful effects from exposure to contaminants from foods that take up contaminants from the environment.”

Which baby foods should you offer or avoid to reduce lead exposure?

Here’s a short list of what to serve, limit and avoid when offering your infant food. If you have more questions, be sure to reach out to your pediatrician for further guidance. The parent guide from Healthy Babies Bright Futures is a good resource to reference as well.

• Avoid any baby food products made with rice, including white or brown rice, rice milk, brown rice syrup or other rice products, as brown rice is a primary source of inorganic arsenic based on the way it’s grown.
• Avoid any baby cereals made with rice, opting for oats, barley or mixed grains instead.
• Avoid puffed rice snacks, rusks and teethers
• Only rarely serve dried fruit, especially raisins
• Limit or rotate canned fruit, opting for fresh or frozen fruit instead
• Limit or rotate cantaloupe and leafy greens like baby spinach. Avoid serving full-grown spinach.
• Avoid serving grape juice
• Avoid serving peanut butter every day. Limit serving sunflower seed butter, which is high in cadmium.
• Limit or rotate root vegetables and tubers, like sweet potatoes, carrots and beets, and peel them before cooking to remove potential contaminants on the surface. “We recommend that parents vary the source by choosing from different brands, varieties, or stores each week to avoid accidentally serving a high-metal source often,” note the report authors.
• Advocate for change. Reach out to your representatives and government agencies to take strict action and support strong limits on heavy metals in food.

Healthy brain development isn’t just about what’s inside the food we eat—it’s also about what’s not inside. There is clear science demonstrating the negative impacts that heavy metals, like lead, can have on a developing brain. 

Related: 10 key foods to build your baby’s brain development

During the years I spent studying the brain, first as a neurosurgeon and then as a developmental neurobiologist, I learned that your baby’s first three years are uniquely critical for brain development. First, it’s a period of astronomical growth. Your baby’s brain grows up to one percent per day and can make up to thousands of neural connections per second! While some amount of growth continues until your early teens, the great majority happens in those first three years. The rest of your life is spent creating new connections between those neurons, through the process we call learning and memory. That’s why heavy metal exposure at such an early age can seriously hinder brain development.

Taking matters into my own hands

During my graduate studies at Stanford, I had three children. One of the most immediate (and persistent) questions I faced was what to feed my kids. It was in answering this question that I came to realize the somewhat shocking delta between the well-established science on the impact of nutrition on healthy brain development—and what is found in our baby foods today. 

Being more interested in reading stories with my kids than steaming broccoli, I sought out ready-made options. But I was disappointed by the store-bought baby foods I found on the shelves of my local grocery store. I flipped over every pouch only to discover a startling lack of genuine nutrition. In fact, while my team’s research showed that there are 16 nutrients critical to support this early brain development period, the majority of baby food brands only had two to four, and not necessarily at meaningful levels. 

Related: Baby gut health is a powerful tool when it comes to allergies and eczema

It felt like my only options were to either offer my children subpar nutrition or take to my own kitchen to make homemade baby food. Despite my many commitments, I chose the latter—even if it meant staying up into the early hours, steaming and pureeing vegetables, grinding up sunflower seeds and baking spinach-rich green muffins. 

Radically rethinking baby nutrition

It was clear to me that I was not the only parent facing this dilemma. So, I decided to challenge the standards of the baby food industry and launched a baby food company, Cerebelly, that takes a combination of up-to-date early childhood nutrition and developmental neuroscience to provide a vegetable-first, science-based baby food that provides specific nutrition at specific times to support brain and body. 

I didn’t cut corners. Cerebelly’s brain-boosting baby food products are organic, non-GMO, contain no added sugar, and undergo rigorous testing for heavy metals and toxins. On top of that, we underwent screening from the third-party Clean Label Project in which we became the first shelf-stable baby food brand to receive their Clean Label Purity Award. While this approach seemed like the only way to do baby food properly, none of these steps are standard. 

Related: The FDA is finally taking steps to reduce lead in baby food

It’s time for the industry to put science first. It’s time to focus on keeping high levels of heavy metals out of our foods and getting the right nutrients at the right time into it. It’s time to radically rethink how we nourish our kids. 

We created Cerebelly to make this superior nutrition accessible to parents, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to achieve that. In fact, we just secured a patent for our food composition of 16 essential nutrients to support optimal cognitive neurodevelopment. 

But making homemade food for your family also has innumerable, rich benefits: 

• Exposing kids to flavors you eat as a family
• Prioritizing the social component of cooking together and sharing a meal
• Passing along family traditions
• Preparing fresh ingredients

I could go on! Mental health is also brain health, and sometimes mental health means popping open a pouch while other times it means laying out a homemade spread. For those opportunities where homemade food is on the menu, there are a few themes you can use to help decide which ingredients to use. 

Heavy metals in our world are inescapable, but consciously trying to minimize that exposure is worthwhile. 

5 tips to making your own—or shopping store-bought—brain-boosting baby food

Whether you’re purchasing store-bought baby food or making your own at home, here are my top five tips for what to look out for and consider to both boost your baby’s brain health and reduce heavy metals in baby food. 

1. Explore less common veggies and fruits 

There are many essential nutrients that support healthy brain development—and they aren’t all found in your basic, everyday fruits and veggies. 

To make sure your little one is getting the nutrients they need, look to a wide variety of vegetables and fruits like kelp, maitake mushrooms, squash seeds, algal oil and sunflower seeds that have high nutritional density, including DHA, iron, zinc and vitamin E. Visit our website for a plethora of ingredient ideas. 

2. Make smart decisions in how you shop for produce

The majority of the problem with heavy metals isn’t in the food preparation but the soil in which we grow the vegetables. Pay close attention to vegetables that are grown in soil and peel them before cooking—and vary the types you serve. 

One tip is to buy baby carrots instead of whole carrots. Baby carrots are not actually a younger carrot, but the heart of a carrot that has been whittled down to a smaller size, which means less exposure to heavy metals found on the outer surface. 

Related: Are there heavy metals in your kid’s juice? The details of Consumer Reports’ investigation

It’s also worth noting that because something is labeled as organic doesn’t mean it’s free of heavy metals. In fact, there was a non-significant trend for higher heavy metals in organic vs non-organic baby food. Ultimately, it’s much less how you grow the produce, and more so where you grow the produce, which is why variety is key. 

3. Don’t be fooled by packaging claims

Flip your food, as it’s the nutrition inside that counts. A box, jar or pouch may tout spinach on the front of the package, but if it only has 2% of a child’s daily value of iron, you are probably getting the equivalent of 1 calorie of spinach. 

Packaging can be very misleading, but the nutritional panel is regulated and must tell the truth without bias. Look at the first-listed ingredients, which are in the largest proportions. 

Related: The FDA’s new definition of ‘healthy’ could make grocery shopping easier

4. Opt for veggies over fruit

As a general rule, look for vegetable-first baby foods, rather than fruit-first foods, which can be high in fruit sugars. A child in the first 18 months is really working to develop their palate and figuring out what their normal meal looks and tastes like. It’s powerful to help kids learn early on to appreciate a diversity of nutrient-dense tastes.

Related: 8 brain-developing foods even your pickiest eater will love

5. Look for the Clean Label Project Certified seal

Shockingly, outside of normal food standards, there’s very little regulation around baby food in North America. That means harmful contaminants, like heavy metals, can wind up in the food we feed our babies. 

Lead, which hinders the entire development of a baby’s brain, has been found in many different types of baby food. This is why it’s imperative that you choose baby food from a brand that uses third-party testing to screen for heavy metals.

The group is moving away from the “watchful waiting” approach that typically calls for delayed treatment when it comes to childhood obesity, which, after a comprehensive literature review, AAP says has no evidence behind it. 

“Waiting doesn’t work,” said Dr. Ihuoma Eneli, a co-author of the guidelines, to CBS News. “What we see is a continuation of weight gain and the likelihood that they’ll have [obesity] in adulthood.” 

Related: Hunter McGrady calls out rampant fatphobia in the medical field

Instead, AAP is advising pediatricians to “offer treatment options early and at the highest available intensity,” which should include at least 26 hours of an intensive nutrition and lifestyle behavior program for the entire family and, when warranted, may include drug treatments in kids over 12 and, in some cases, surgery for kids over 13. 

Defined by AAP as a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for age and sex, childhood obesity is estimated to affect 14.4 million children and teens in the US. The new guidelines were created by a multidisciplinary group of experts in various fields, along with primary care providers and a family representative.

“The goal is to help patients make changes in lifestyle, behaviors or environment in a way that is sustainable and involves families in decision-making at every step of the way,” says Sandra Hassink, MD, an author of the guideline and vice chair of the Clinical Practice Guideline Subcommittee on Obesity, in a press release.

That said, treating obesity is not only complicated, but a complex social issue shrouded in stigma.

Obesity isn’t a lifestyle problem

The guidelines reflect a sea change in clinical thinking: that childhood overweight and obesity are not a result of a person’s lifestyle choices, but rather from social determinants of health (SDoH), environmental and genetic influences that impact children and families. 

They aim to erase the inaccurate picture of obesity as “a personal problem, maybe a failure of the person’s diligence,” said Dr. Sandra Hassink, medical director for the AAP Institute for Healthy Childhood weight, and a co-author of the guidelines, to CBS News.

Driving home this point to pediatric practitioners can only help, given the fact that doctors and clinicians have historically been–and remain—forces responsible for weight bias and stigma around obesity and overweight. “[Pediatricians and other pediatric healthcare providers] first need to uncover and address their own attitudes regarding children with obesity,” write the guideline authors, who go so far as to outline “supportive, nonstigmatizing communication strategies” for doctors to use to guide discussions about obesity with children, teens and families, in order to help reduce weight bias.

Related: ‘Don’t weigh me’ cards help empower patients at the doctor’s office

But the implications of telling kids—who are still growing and developing—that they need to change their body size, regardless of how the message is delivered, could have lasting negative consequences, as several eating disorder therapists attest. 

“Research shows that a history of dieting, body dissatisfaction and weight stigma are risk factors for eating disorders, particularly the earlier in life all of these things start,” Courtney Crisp, PsyD, an eating disorders therapist and researcher, shares with Motherly.

Treating childhood obesity is complex

According to established research, childhood obesity is understood to be a contributing factor to chronic health issues later in life, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and liver conditions, in addition to having social and economic consequences.

Which is why the guidelines assert that “identification and treatment should begin as early as possible and continue longitudinally through childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood, with transition into adult care.”

It’s a tricky needle to thread, especially for families with young children, who may be concerned about assigning an obesity diagnosis from a young age and the long-term effects of doing so. 

Related: Eating disorders and tic disorders have increased dramatically among teen girls as a result of the pandemic, say CDC and AAP

Additionally, childhood obesity has been notoriously hard to treat, namely because the causes behind the condition are multifactorial, comprising everything from genetics, family dietary preferences, school environment, access to fresh food and policy factors like food marketing, just to list a few. For this reason, rudimentary recommendations on diet and exercise often don’t work because so many SDoH and systemic factors are at play. 

“Individuals exposed to adversity can have alterations in immunologic, metabolic, and epigenetic processes that increase risk for obesity by altering energy regulation,” write the guideline authors. They highlight that obesity does not affect all population groups equally. 

“These influences tend to be more prevalent among children who have experienced negative environmental and SDoHs, such as racism.” 

AAP childhood obesity guidelines promote intensive, family-centered therapy

AAP recommends at least three months (and up to 12) of intensive in-person coaching on nutrition, physical activity and behavior changes and lifestyle treatment for the family as a whole, starting for kids age 6 and older, but which may be used for kids as young as 2. Of course, this type of treatment is time-consuming, challenging to deliver and not widely available, which the group acknowledges. 

In addition to this intensive therapy, weight loss drugs or surgery may be considered for kids on an individual basis who may require additional support, according to AAP. But they’re not meant to be used on their own—they should always be included as part of a broader therapy plan. 

It’s hard not to worry about the long-term repercussions of those options. Some experts fear that the focus on bariatric surgery and weight loss medication in kids may be premature, given that kids still have years of growth ahead of them. Or they worry that those interventions may be used as a quick fix or bandaid by some practitioners when it’s the larger systemic problems that need rectifying for real change to occur. 

Though one class of injectable weight loss drugs, semaglutides, have been shown to be effective in promoting BMI reduction in kids and teens (the drug Wegovy was just approved by the FDA last month for kids age 12 and up), it’s important to note that placing kids and teens on these drugs not only opens them up to side effects like gallstones, but may mean they’ll need to stay on the medication for years to come—or risk gaining the weight back. Where will that leave kids then?

Insurance is also unlikely to cover the costs of the drugs, which can be around $1,300 per month, making accessibility an issue.

New guidelines focus on proactive treatment, but not prevention

The new clinical practice guidelines don’t touch on obesity prevention, saying that’s a subject for a forthcoming policy statement. The main takeaway? Essentially, not to delay treatment for childhood obesity, noting that a proactive approach incorporating the whole family is the best measure. 

Yet others worry that taking such a proactive approach could raise the risk of eating disorder development in kids. But the literature doesn’t support this theory, the guideline authors state. “Structured and professionally run pediatric obesity treatment is associated with reduced eating disorder prevalence, risk, and symptoms.” 

Related: 7 ways to help your kids form a healthy relationship with food

The structure and underlying principles of the intensive therapy program outlined “share multiple similarities with eating disorder programs. These include a focus on increasing healthful food consumption, participating in physical activity for enjoyment and self-care reasons, and improving overall self-esteem and self-concept,” authors write. 

Intuitive eating counselors assert that it comes down to the fact that these health-promoting behaviors, while helpful, should be uncoupled from the message to change one’s body size. That’s a key part in reducing weight stigma and body dissatisfaction.  

Ultimately, the guidelines provide access to more comprehensive tools and proven treatments for those who want them—and go well beyond fraught diet and exercise recommendations. 

“Weight is a sensitive topic for most of us, and children and teens are especially aware of the harsh and unfair stigma that comes with being affected by it,” said Sarah Hampl, MD, chair of the Clinical Practice Guideline Subcommittee on Obesity, in a press release. 

“Our kids need the medical support, understanding and resources we can provide within a treatment plan that involves the whole family,” said Dr. Hampl.

Except, this time, instead of just reeling from the pain of the hit on both his body and the potential effect on the scoreboard, Hamlin had gone into cardiac arrest. 

A whopping 20 minutes went by, as medics painstakingly worked to resuscitate the 24-year old’s heart. As fans at the stadium looked on in disbelief, Hamlin’s mom Nina was rushed by security to be by her son’s side. 

When the initial shock was over, prayer vigils were being held for the player who at the time of writing, is still hospitalized in intensive care. Other fans wondered how the stalled game would affect both teams during a crucial point in the season. 

Related: Cincinnati kids are making the sweetest get-well cards for Damar Hamlin

But many parents, like myself, were left pondering: Is it safe for our kids to play football? It was all too easy to put ourselves into Nina’s shoes. Any parent who’s ever witnessed an injury in one of their children knows the feeling all too well. 

“It’s an inherent risk in sports that people seem to have forgotten about over the years. Then, a tragic incident such as this brings it to the forefront of our minds,” Elaine Stack-Taylor, a mom-of-three from Rotterdam, New York, tells Motherly. 

“There is always a concern and risk, especially in a contact sport like tackle football,” shares dad Whalen Kingsbury, whose 10-year-old son plays football. “Even with all the safety precautions, freak accidents happen and cannot be avoided.” 

These same sentiments have been echoed by millions of parents across social media since that fateful Monday night. So are their concerns valid? Should I let my kid play football?

Is football safe? The risks of playing football 

“All sports come with risks, some more serious than others,” says Erin Nance, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and mom in New York City. “Tackle football, due to the nature of it being a contact sport, does put kids at an increased risk of injury.”

The specific injury that doctors believe led to Hamlin’s collapse on the field that day was caused by a direct hit over the heart during a specific moment in the cardiac cycle, triggering a potentially fatal disruption of the heartbeat (arrhythmia.) It’s a somewhat rare condition known as commotio cordis. And it’s not just limited to football. Cases have been reported in other sports including baseball, hockey and lacrosse. 

Making football safer

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are less than 30 cases of commotio cordis per year. And while rare, this and other more common injuries such as concussion, has prompted organizations like the Concussion Legacy Foundation to strongly recommend that parents avoid enrolling their children in tackle football altogether until the age of 14. 

Other measures have been taken as well. USA Football has instituted the Heads Up Tackling Method, to help players avoid spear tackling, thereby reducing the incidence of spinal cord injuries. 

Related: Neurologist shares 4 things she’d never let her children do, in viral TikTok

“Most doctors would advise parents to take into consideration the child’s developmental status, rather than an age-specific guideline, when determining if their child is ready to play football,” states Dr. Nance. 

“Some of the risk has to do with how the player plays,” says dad Kingsbury. “If a player has a very aggressive, no-fear type of attitude, that risk of injury will increase, versus a player that is more cautious,” he adds. 

Perhaps larger than the risk of a rare cardiac arrest is the risk of concussion and permanent long-term damage from repeat trauma to the head and brain. A recent study showed that 99% of former NFL players showed signs of chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a concussion-related neurodegenerative disease. 

Related: I’m the parent who won’t let my kids play football—and this is why

“Parents of young athletes should be sure to report any head injuries to coaches, and medical providers, so that proper evaluation for concussion can occur,” advises John Wigal, MD, a pediatrician and sports medicine doctor at Akron Children’s Hospital. 

“Children with identified concussions should be withheld from any sports until symptoms have resolved, and an observed ‘return to play’ program has been completed,” Dr. Wigal adds. 

“Treatment should be administered immediately to decrease the risk of so-called ‘second impact syndrome,’ which can have a long-term effect on a child’s developing brain,” advises Dr. Nance. 

Related: Fans raise over $6 million for Damar Hamlin’s toy drive after his critical injury on the field

Equipment also plays a part in the safety of our children on the field. “Kids should use properly sized protective equipment, which should be replaced with any signs of damage,” advises Dr. Wigal. 

Having coaches, staff and parent volunteers trained in CPR, concussion recognition and other injury prevention is also integral, doctors say, to mitigate any potential long term risks. “It was the quick-thinking actions of the medical team on site who performed CPR that likely saved Hamlin’s life,” attests Dr. Nance. In these types of situations, “every second counts,” she adds. 

“Hopefully what more people take away from this incident is the importance of recognizing the signs of distress and the importance of CPR training,” says Stack-Taylor. 

Do the benefits of football outweigh the risks? 

While youth contact sports inherently have some risks, many parents feel the benefits outweigh the risks. 

“There is so much to be learned from playing these sports, and not allowing your child to do so strictly out of fear is a disservice to your family,” says Jennifer Colucci, a mom in Hopewell Junction, New York. 

Massachusetts police officer and mom, Cara Rossi, puts it in perspective, given her line of work. “I had two athletes. One broke her jaw and there were many other injuries, never life threatening, but in my line of work, I see people of all ages injured or dying everyday in crashes, accidents at home, by suicide or at the hands of someone who was supposed to love them. There’s a much greater chance of that than this type of freak accident. I see the benefits of sports outweighing the negatives,” says Rossi. 

Related: I complain a lot about youth sports but I’m going to miss them

Connecticut mom and fitness club owner Desiree Golub echoes Rossi’s sentiments. “The biggest concern I have is that childhood obesity is on the rise. Let’s keep kids exercising, running and playing. There is a lot of research supporting the study of the long-term effects obesity has on the bone density of children as they age. It’s a silent problem and a bigger one than potential cardiac arrest, in my opinion,” says Golub. 

Indeed, football and other youth sports provide a bevy of benefits to a developing child. “Besides the obvious physical benefits like aerobic, strength and conditioning exercise, sports provide the emotional and social benefits of being on a team which include improved mood, concentration, and better self-confidence,” explains Dr. Nance. 

A continuing dialogue about letting kids play football

Whichever side of the field you rest on, doctors agree, parents need to keep up the dialogue. “Parents should know they are not alone in wanting to make youth football and other sports as safe as possible,” says Dr. Wigal. “Increased dialogue over the last few years has already resulted in multiple rule and procedural changes, highlighting the universal focus on safety for young athletes.” 

And without risk, there is little reward. “There is risk in everything we all do each day. All we can do is use what is available out there to keep that risk at a minimum,” says Kingsbury. 

A good attitude indeed, for concerned parents who want to see their player excel both on—and off—the field. 

Suddenly, my 11-year-old could not do a single thing alone. She became a moody couch potato, and nothing I did made her feel better. The only thing that brought her comfort was a Hello Kitty squishmallow pillow. 

Related: What to do when your child has the flu

My 8-year-old little man on the other couch was complaining that his soup was too hot and asking if I could “pretty please” blow on it for him. 

Everyday, they needed me a little bit more. I was running around checking temperatures, picking up tissues, praying they didn’t have Covid, RSV or the flu. Oh, and work! The law office needed me, but these snotty noses needed me more. I felt pulled in every direction.

I called in to the doctor’s office.

After disinfecting their rooms, grabbing new meds, going to the pediatrician and handling the screams of being swabbed for everything, the doctor confirmed they did in fact have the flu. I heard the whisper of my anxiety try to pop its head up.

Did I have everything they needed? Could I do this—two kids with the flu at the same time?! Did I know how to properly deal with the flu in kids?

Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mom with school-age kids.

But I remembered to breathe. I’ve got this.

During a trip to the store, I glanced in the mirror by the checkout line at Walgreens. Who was that mess trying to grab Gatorade and macaroni? In that mirror, I saw myself trying my absolute hardest to care for two kids during flu season—and it felt like it was enough.

In a sweaty, pink sweater that I had definitely been wearing for a few days, I looked as sick as my kids. I had a bird’s nest in my hair and house slippers on. I busted out laughing. “I’ve got this in any outfit,” is what I told myself.

My kids didn’t care what I looked like. They cared that I was there for them during this flu season. I was beautifully messy, loving them so hard at that moment. Life is often unpredictable, and I was merely managing it one day at a time.

I went home. I didn’t change because I didn’t have time. I made them a warm bath for their achy muscles. I added rubber duckies and broke out the bubbles like when they were 4 years old. Afterward, I brushed their hair even though I hadn’t brushed mine in a week. That’s a mother’s love. 

Related: Mama, you can handle anything—even flu season

I soaked up the fact that they were needy. I soaked up the kisses. I soaked up the cuddles. I sat with them as their fevers broke. I heard their bodies relax. I felt them rest. I took the day to sit and rest, too. I took care of myself and slowly, we popped our sick bubble.  

Perhaps, when our kids get sick, all they need is us—even after the toddler years. Listen to those quiet moments. I missed the deadline for work, but I didn’t miss them reach for my hand. 

Flu season is not a glamorous endeavor for a mom with school-age kids. It’s messy and exhausting. I felt like I was riding the struggle bus until I saw myself and realized that even struggling can be beautiful. 

Motherhood isn’t always pretty or perfect. Sometimes it’s fever meds at 3 am and runny noses wiped on the sleeve of our shirts. If you’re knee deep in cold and flu season with needy kids, I’m here for you. You’re going to get through this season—and I think you look beautiful doing it. You’ve got this.

While it can be worrisome when you see eczema crop up on your child’s skin, the good news is that treatment is available, including a promising new medication. Here’s a look at various ways to offer your little one some much-needed relief from eczema.   

A new drug may help treat eczema in kids

Promising news for kids with eczema: dupilumab, a biologic drug that has been proven to be safe and effective in treating the condition in adults, is now offered to pediatric patients, as well. According to the findings of a  recent study by the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, dupilumab reduced the severity and provided relief from symptoms of moderate-to-severe eczema in infants and children aged six months to five years old.  

The medication, available to children as young as six months, works by blocking the action of the critical substances (interleukins) involved in the progression of eczema. In the Northwestern study, 66% of the children who had developed eczema in the first six months of life responded to dupilumab, with a 75% reduction in eczema symptoms, particularly itching and sleepless nights. It also reduced the risk of developing other conditions associated with eczemas, like asthma and food allergies.

“The ability to take this drug will significantly improve the quality of life for infants and young children who suffer tremendously with this disease,” says lead study author Dr. Amy Paller, chair of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, in an article published by Science Daily.  “By treating more aggressively to calm the immune system activation in these young children with early, severe eczema, we may also reduce the risk of their developing a range of allergic problems, changing their life beyond improving eczema.”

Related: Managing your child’s eczema? A psychodermatologist explains the important link between skin and stress

Other eczema treatments for kids

Of course, there are other methods to treat your child’s eczema. From moisturizing to topical ointments, here’s a look at how you can help reduce the rash.  

Moisturize often 

Because eczema occurs due to damage to the skin barrier, often resulting in dry skin, cutaneous hydration—AKA moisturizing—can relieve the rash. A safe-for-babies treatment applied directly on your child’s skin will work to provide an extra layer of protection, which can reduce irritation.  

“Keeping skin well-hydrated and moisturized is very important for people with eczema, as this helps to keep the outer layer of skin functioning properly,” says Alpana Mohta, MD, certified dermatologist and medical advisor for BetterGoods.org. “Applying a moisturizer after bathing and throughout the day can help keep eczema symptoms under control.” 

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This dermatologist and pediatrician-tested formula from Mustela is made with 99% natural ingredients, including colloidal oatmeal–one of the few ingredients to be recognized by the FDA as a safe and effective natural treatment for eczema. It’s lightweight and absorbs quickly to hydrate and relieve itching within just a few minutes. And without fragrance, parabens or dyes, it’s gentle enough for even the most irritated skin.

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Related: How to treat eczema in kids, according to a dermatologist

Topical corticosteroids 

Topical corticosteroids, or steroid creams, ointments, and solutions, are another effective treatment for eczema in children, says Dr. Mohta.  Examples include triamcinolone acetonide cream (Kenalog), hydrocortisone cream (Cortizone-10) and desonide ointment (Desowen). As with all medications, it’s important to consult a doctor before using any steroid cream, especially as some formulations may not be approved for use in young babies and toddlers.

Dr. Mohta stresses that because regular use of these medications can cause side effects like skin thinning, it’s key to use them only as directed and for the shortest amount of time needed to treat eczema. You may be advised to use an emollient first, and then wait for about 30 minutes before applying the recommended amount of corticosteroids on the affected skin. 

Antihistamines 

Antihistamines, which work to block the release of histamine in the body, a substance that makes skin more sensitive and prone to allergic reactions, can be helpful for some people with eczema.

“However, it’s important to consult a doctor before taking any medication, as some antihistamines can cause side effects,” says Dr. Mohta.

Related: How to spot baby eczema

Eczema treatment to reduce itching

However you opt to treat eczema, there’s also the issue of itching. During an eczema flare-up, the itch can be unbearable, but experts warn that scratching or picking only causes more irritation. What to do? To start, break out the cold compress, says Dr. Mohta. 

“Cooling compresses may help calm the skin and provide relief from itching,” she notes. 

Also look for topical creams that contain hydrocortisone or other ingredients such as coal tar or vitamin D, and make sure to keep the skin moisturized. And if the itch continues to be unbearable? Talk to your pediatrician about medications that may help.  

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In addition to itch-relieving hydrocortisone, this highly-rated cream packs Vitamins A, C and E to help nourish and heal eczema-addled skin. Not only is it accepted by the National Eczema Association, it’s also Amazon’s #1 best seller in eczema care offering clinical-strength relief over the counter. According to Motherly’s Commerce Editor, both are well earned. It was the first product to help get her intensely itchy flares under control, improving skin literally overnight.

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The do’s and don’ts of treating eczema in kids

Your child’s skin is super-sensitive. Here are 10 do’s and don’ts of treating eczema for your kids:

• Don’t dress them in wool or nylon clothes and perfumed fabric, which can cause further skin irritation.  
• Do dress them in cotton clothes. Do give your kid short (think: 5 to 10 minutes) baths in luke-warm water to hydrate, cleansing the skin with a mild soap.  
• Don’t scrub the skin; instead, pat gently. Do apply a moisturizer three minutes after the bath. 
• Don’t leave any blisters or affected areas uncovered. Instead, use a wet gauze covering, which is also helpful in preventing scratching.
• Do maintain a pleasant temperature and humidity level in your room—experts recommend about 64°F (18°C). Lack of proper air ventilation in your home can trigger eczema flare-ups.
• Don’t give your child medication or do anything extreme (like a bleach bath, which may help in children with moderate to severe eczema) without consulting your doctor first. 
• Do inquire with your doctor about food sensitivities or allergies, which are linked to eczema. You may want to keep a food diary to record any unusual signs and symptoms that follow after meals. 
• Don’t leave any sign of infection (redness, swelling, or oozing from the skin) untreated. See a doctor immediately.  

Sources

Lee JH, Son SW, Cho SH. A Comprehensive Review of the Treatment of Atopic Eczema. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2016;8(3):181-190. 

Nemeth V, Evans J. Eczema. StatPearls Publishing. 2022.

Paller AS, Simpson EL, Siegfried EC, Cork MJ, Wollenberg A, Arkwright PD, Soong W, Gonzalez ME, Schneider LC, Sidbury R, Lockshin B. Dupilumab in children aged 6 months to younger than 6 years with uncontrolled atopic dermatitis: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet. 2022 Sep 17;400(10356):908-19.

My childhood was defined by outdoor adventures and imaginative play because computers, cell phones and iPads were nonexistent. There was no Facebook or TikTok or Twitter—an absence I believe enhanced my youth. Our dangers could be seen by the naked eye. Internet risks, today, are hidden in the clouds of the web, making it a danger harder for younger children to grasp. A Texas state representative is proposing legislation that would ban everyone under the age of 18 from being allowed on social media. As a mother, I’m all for it.

Related: Quitting social media made me a better parent

Children are vulnerable in the abstract land of the internet. Predators can pose as someone they’re not and lies are easily believable when identity can be hidden. Explaining to a child how a person, unseen on their screen, can potentially gather personal information or find them in real life is no easy fet. Furthermore, social media is known to directly impact the mental health of children. Preparing them to safely use social media feels impractical. 

In 2021, Bark, a parental control app, analyzed more than 3.4 billion messages across texts, email, and 30+ apps and social media platforms. Their findings support the need for reform when it comes to keeping our children safe from internet dangers. 

Their data from 2021 showed that:

• 72.09% of tweens and 85% of teens experienced bullying as a bully, victim or witness
• 32.11% of tweens and 56.4% of teens engaged in conversations about depression
• 68.97% of tweens and 90.73% of teens encountered nudity or content of a sexual nature
• 43.09% of tweens and 74.61% of teens were involved in a self-harm/suicidal situation
• 75.35% of tweens and 93.31% of teens engaged in conversation about drugs/alcohol
• 80.82% of tweens and 94.5% of teens expressed or experienced violent subject matter/thoughts
• 9.95% of tweens and 20.54% of teens encountered predatory behaviors from someone online
• 19.69% of tweens and 42.05% of teens used language or were exposed to language about anxiety

As if this data isn’t enough, sexual exploitation—which is made easier via the internet—is a major issue (and is one of the most lucrative crimes in the world). Bark’s data also indicated that 40 percent of kids in grades 4 to 8 reported they connected with a stranger online. Many of these kids admitted to revealing personal information including a phone number, speaking with the stranger via phone, trying to meet with the stranger, successfully meeting with them, texting them, or revealing their home address. 

Related: It’s science: How you use social media may be associated with your parenting style

Our children are entering the world of the internet as kids and quickly finding themselves in a complicated adult domain they’re not mature enough to handle. 

The Texas proposed bill would ban all kids under the age of 18 from social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. State House Representative Jared Patterson noted concerns over mental health and self-harm among minors as motivation behind this bill. Age verification through a photo identification mechanism would be required when setting up a social media account. Social media companies would be held accountable for ensuring accuracy and required to provide pathways for parents to request removal of their kids’ accounts. This bill would also enable the Texas Attorney General’s Office to pursue Texas’ deceptive trade laws against companies failing to comply with these conditions.

This proposal comes at a time when headlines continue to warn parents of various types of internet dangers. Last year, the U.S. Congress’ Joint Economic Committee released a report showing a decline in mental health among teenage girls due to social media use. The Washington Post just released a warning from the FBI about an explosion of sextortion cases targeting teens, specifically boys. More than 7,000 reports related to sextortion have been received by authorities in the past year and 3,000 of the targets are confirmed to have been minors. 

Related: 6 essential apps that will keep your tweens safe online

Last year, my children stayed home from school on Friday, December 17. It wasn’t a day off or a holiday, and they weren’t sick. An anonymous social media threat suggested that kids initiate acts of violence at schools across the country. As the initial post was reshared by students and parents, this violent suggestion swept across our nation faster than the speed of light—all because of social media. 

Childhood without social media looks like childhood. Let’s help our children be kids for as long as possible.

Posts on social media continue to persuade children to participate in dangerous challenges, potentially leading to injury or death. Just last month, parents were warned of a game circulating on TikTok called the blackout challenge. The video challenged children to choke themselves with household items until they blacked out, while filming the incident and sharing the video on social media. This challenge has been linked to the deaths of at least 15 kids ages 12 or younger in the past 18 months. Without access to social media, those lives could have been saved.

Related: Social media is redefining the new motherhood—but is that a good thing?

As parents, we know what childhood without social media looks like. It looks like bike rides to the playground and walks to a friend’s house. It looks like catching fireflies during summer evenings and winter days spent building snow forts in the yard. It looks like playing with those treasured toys and engaging in imaginative play for a little longer. It looks like reading an entire book series in a week because you just can’t wait to find out what happens next. Childhood without social media looks like childhood. Let’s help our children be kids for as long as possible. Let’s prevent unnecessary mental health issues and exposure to language they can’t yet comprehend. Let’s eliminate the ease with which predators may connect with our children.

Childhood without social media looks like childhood.

Plain and simple, our children are not safe on social media. We can have the internet safety conversation with them until we’re blue in the face—we can post internet safety rules by the computer and be good role models, as The Cyber Security Awareness Alliance recommends. But these threats remain, and our children aren’t prepared to encounter them. 

Social media will be there waiting for them when they turn 18. There’s no rush. I’d rather see my children playing with friends, exploring the outdoors, and learning from their natural environment.

Are video games bad for kids? It depends on who you ask. The internet is also saturated with several conflicting headlines: Some say video games make children more violent, while others tout their educational benefits. 

What’s more, there’s limited research on the impact that video games have on child development. To start, it’s difficult to keep track of a child’s development over decades. And, ethically, a researcher can’t force a child to only play “Call of Duty” for the rest of their adolescence or ban a child from ever using electronics. For this reason, most studies are observational, leaving the door open for other variables to influence the findings.

The bottom line is that there is no cookie-cutter answer. But instead of throwing out every Nintendo game you own, experts advise considering other factors that can affect your decision. 

Related: How harmful is screen time for kids? Not as bad as we may think 

Are there some video games kids should play or avoid?

When it comes to video games, there’s no catch-all category that can be labeled either “good” or bad” for your kids. You can world-build in “Minecraft,” drive cars in “Mario Kart,” or shoot other players in “Overwatch.” You can play by yourself or connect with others online. 

“There are so many kinds of games that it’s really hard to say which games are good or bad for kids,” says Katie Davis, director of the University of Washington Digital Youth Lab and author of the upcoming book “Technology’s Child: Digital Media’s Role in the Ages and Stages of Growing Up.”

One type of game that’s thought to have a positive impact on kids? Exergames, like Just Dance, which provide a workout similar to exercising at a gym or running outside. In one 2016 study, children with obesity played exergames for seven weeks. A two-month follow-up showed that exergaming motivated kids to continue exercising with 96% of children who did not play sports before the study enrolled in a team. 

Research also supports action video games, which require visual attention to play. Some studies show that these types of games help children with dyslexia improve their reading rate and understanding of the reading material, while others, such as EndeavorRx, is FDA-approved as a treatment option for kids age 8 and up with ADHD. 

Related: Meet the first FDA-approved video game to treat kids’ ADHD 

Does exposure to video game violence make children more aggressive?

Of course, there’s always the issue of violence when it comes to video games. Several older studies, including a 2010 report showed that regardless of age, sex, and culture, violent video games can make children more aggressive and less empathetic towards others. However, several experts have taken issue with this conclusion.

Christopher Ferguson, PhD, a psychology professor at Stetson University in DeLand, Fla., has been especially critical of the claim that exposure to video game violence is a gateway towards violent behavior. His analysis of earlier studies on the subject argued that violent behavior was linked more towards family violence and innate aggression rather than violent gaming.

Ash Brandin, a middle school teacher and Instagram influencer behind @TheGamerEducator account, agrees. “The relationship of aggressive behavior and desensitization of violence are probably the biggest misconceptions and those really hinge on some studies that came out in the very early 2000s,” they say. They’ve largely been debunked, but they’re still widely cited to this day.” 

Not only has more recent research found no link between violent video games and hostile behavior, but there is evidence to suggest that playing these types of games could be a way to relieve long-term stress. Case in point: A 2010 study on adults showed that after completing a stressful task, participants were less bitter and depressed when they got to take their frustrations out on a violent video game. 

More recently, a 2021 study on adolescents found a decrease in negative emotions like aggression and anger when playing violent video games.

Related: Teens need more sleep—and using bright light therapy could help 

How to decide what video game your child should play

Brandin recommends looking at the rating systems on games when deciding what games kids should play. “The ESRB ratings are very accurate and are designed for caregivers in mind,” they say. The ratings can tell you whether a game has high levels of violence or sexual content. 

On top of the ratings, Davis advises that you ask yourself certain questions to get a sense on whether a game is age appropriate. These include:

• Do I need to be actively supervising them while playing?
• Can they operate the mouse or game controller?
• Do they understand the concept of the game?
• Who is in control of this gaming experience?
• Is it a single player game or are you playing with strangers online?

Are video games good for you?

Research suggests there are some positive benefits in playing video games. Video games can help with problem-solving and becoming resilient under pressure. They are also associated with mental health and social benefits—a stark contrast to the stereotypical lone gamer holed up in their room all day.

Cognitive benefits of video games 

Video games may also increase your brainpower. A May 2022 study reported an association between video gaming and increased IQ in children, but not for those who mainly watched TV or used social media. While not in children, a separate 2022 research study scanned the brains of video-game playing college students and found increased brain activity in regions involved in processing visual and motor stimuli. This translated to faster and more accurate decision-making skills than people who did not regularly play. 

More recently, the National Institute of Health published a study on video game effects on children. They found that kids who played video games for three hours a day or more did cognitively better on tests involving working memory and response inhibition (the ability to ignore outside distractions). 

However, like most video game studies, the results are correlational. “Children that already have executive functioning strengths like improved working memory are more likely to play video games because they’re better at them,” notes Cara Goodwin, PhD, a psychologist specializing in child development who is known as the Parenting Translator. “And that could actually be the cause rather than video games.”

Skill-building benefits of video games

Another perk of kids playing video games? They can teach them to persevere. Think about a kid on a mission to pass the next level in a game before dinner. While the game can be viewed as a distraction, you can also see it as a way for your child to skill build. “Kids love to learn, but only when it’s learning things they’re interested in doing,” says Brandin. 

Brandin adds that some video games can be used as another tool to motivate kids to persist with interests, while teaching children skills important to society like coding or learning a second language.

“Building a structure in ‘Minecraft’ is an example of problem-solving,” says Brandin. “So if we view gaming as a potential and valid use of time, then we’re able to treat it with the same neutrality that we might treat other methods of learning.”

Video games can help with parenting 

Everyone’s situation is unique. Video games may be a safer alternative to occupy a kid’s time if they don’t have a backyard or don’t live in a safe neighborhood to play outside. And while it’s not the most ideal solution, if you need to take a call for work or cook dinner, having a child play video games is not the worst thing you can do as a parent.

“The time spent playing video games is going to be very different from family to family,” says Davis. “If kids use a device for two or even three hours or more a day, it’s not damaging their kid anymore than a family who doesn’t let their kid have any screen time.”

Sources

Adachi PJC, Willoughby T. More than just fun and games: the longitudinal relationships between strategic video games, self-reported problem solving skills, and academic grades. J Youth Adolescence. 2013. 42, 1041–1052. doi:10.1007/s10964-013-9913-9

Anderson CA, Shibuya A, Ihori N, Swing EL, Bushman BJ, Sakamoto A, Rothstein HR, Saleem M. Violent video game effects on aggression, empathy, and prosocial behavior in eastern and western countries: a meta-analytic review. Psychological bulletin. 2010 Mar;136(2):151. doi:10.1037/a0018251

Chaarani B, Ortigara J, Yuan D, Loso H, Potter A, Garavan HP. Association of video gaming with cognitive performance among children. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(10):e2235721. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.35721

Dos Santos H, Bredehoft MD, Gonzalez FM, Montgomery S. Exercise video games and exercise self-efficacy in children. Global Pediatric Health. 2016;3. doi:10.1177/2333794X16644139

Ferguson CJ, Rueda SM. The Hitman study: Violent video game exposure effects on aggressive behavior, hostile feelings, and depression. European Psychologist. 2010. 15(2), 99–108. doi:10.1027/1016-9040/a000010

Ferguson CJ, Rueda SM, Cruz AM, Ferguson DE, Fritz S, Smith SM. Violent video games and aggression: Causal relationship or byproduct of family violence and intrinsic violence motivation?. Criminal Justice and Behavior. 2008 Mar;35(3):311-32. doi:10.1177/0093854807311719 

Hwang Y, Deng Y, Manninen M, Waller S, Evans EM, Schmidt MD, Chen S, Yli-Piipari S. Short-and longer-term psychological and behavioral effects of exergaming and traditional aerobic training: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2022 Jan 19:1-8. doi:10.1080/1612197X.2021.2025135

Johannes N, Vuorre M, Przybylski AK. Video game play is positively correlated with well-being. Royal Society Open Science. 2021 Feb 17;8(2):202049.

​​Jordan T, Dhamala M. Video game players have improved decision-making abilities and enhanced brain activities. Neuroimage: Reports. 2022 Sep 1;2(3):100112.

Lee EJ, Kim HS, Choi S. Violent video games and aggression: stimulation or catharsis or both?. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking. 2021 Jan 1;24(1):41-7.

Peters JL, Crewther SG, Murphy MJ, et al. Action video game training improves text reading accuracy, rate and comprehension in children with dyslexia: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 11, 18584 (2021). doi:10.1038/s41598-021-98146-x

Peters JL, De Losa L, Bavin EL, Crewther SG. Efficacy of dynamic visuo-attentional interventions for reading in dyslexic and neurotypical children: A systematic review. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews. 2019 May 1;100:58-76.

Przybylski AK, Weinstein N. Violent video game engagement is not associated with adolescents’ aggressive behaviour: evidence from a registered report. Royal Society open science. 2019 Feb 13;6(2):171474. doi:10.1098/rsos.171474

Sauce B, Liebherr M, Judd N, et al. The impact of digital media on children’s intelligence while controlling for genetic differences in cognition and socioeconomic background. Sci Rep 12, 7720 (2022). doi:10.1038/s41598-022-11341-2

Tichon JG, Mavin T. Experiencing resilience via video games: a content analysis of the PlayStation blog. Social Science Computer Review. 2017. 35(5), 666–675. doi:10.1177/0894439316664507

Now, CVS and Walgreens will be limiting purchases of children’s pain relief medicine, according to CNN. CVS is restricting both in-person and online purchases to two children’s pain relief products. Walgreens has limited online purchases to six over-the-counter fever reducers per transaction, but it does not have an in-store purchase limit.

“Due to increased demand and various supplier challenges, over-the-counter pediatric fever-reducing products are seeing constraints across the country,” Walgreens said in a statement. The limits were put into place “in an effort to help support availability and avoid excess purchases.”

CVS acknowledged increased demand for Children’s Tylenol and Children’s Motrin and said they’re collaborating with suppliers to meet the demand and ensure continued access. The new limits were put in place to “ensure equitable access” for all customers, according to a statement from CVS.

Related: Can’t find Children’s Tylenol or Motrin? Here’s how to safely reduce a fever in kids

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said sales of pediatric pain relievers are up 65% from this time last year.

“Supplies of these products are being replenished as quickly as possible, and there is not a widespread shortage in the US. However, with demand for children’s pain and fever medicines reaching unprecedented levels following this early and severe flu season (along with cases of RSV and COVID), we understand why some retailers have adjusted to impose limits on purchases,” the group said in a statement.

“While CHPA member companies are running manufacturing facilities 24-7 to meet demand, we will continue to encourage consumers to buy only what they need, so other families can find and purchase the medicines they are seeking.”

Related: Taking acetaminophen during pregnancy could lead to language delays, says study

Weekly RSV hospitalizations have dropped dramatically over the past month – but even with the improvements, hospitalizations are still higher than normal. Though RSV hospitalizations are going down, flu activity remains high, and Covid-19 cases are increasing across the country.

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association said that during this period of high demand, parents who are concerned about their child’s need for pain relief medication should “contact their pediatrician or another healthcare provider for additional guidance, especially when it comes to an appropriate amount of medicine needed to get them through this flu season.”

What to do if you can’t find Children’s Tylenol or Children’s Motrin

• Look for a generic or store brand. Store brand versions typically have similar formulations and dosing, and are fine to use, doctors note. Look for children’s acetaminophen (generic Tylenol) or children’s ibuprofen (generic Motrin or Advil).  
• Check smaller stores. If the big box stores near you are out of stock, try seeking out a smaller pharmacy instead. 
• Call your child’s pediatrician. They might have samples on hand or suggestions about where to find more medication, in addition to being able to call a compounding pharmacy for you, who could mix more medication.

Understanding the definitions and the recommendations surrounding co-sleeping and bedsharing are important for an effective (and a safe) night’s sleep for mom and baby. Especially because the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep recommendations changed in 2022.

The difference between co-sleeping and bed-sharing is a major one. Below, we’ve broken down what parents need to know.

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Co-sleeping and bed-sharing are not interchangeable

Despite the fact that many people talk about co-sleeping—like Kourtney Kardashian and Alicia Silverstone—they may actually mean bed-sharing. These two terms sound similar, but they have a distinct difference: it’s all about where baby sleeps.

“The main difference between co-sleeping and bed-sharing is where the infant sleeps,” Dr. Nilong Vyas, pediatrician at Sleepless in NOLA and medical review expert at SleepFoundation.org, tells Motherly. “Sometimes the words are used synonymously but are pretty different in the safe infant sleep space. Co-sleeping, for many families, has become the catch-all phrase for when a child sleeps in the bed with the parent or caregiver.”

She explains that co-sleeping is “a parent and child sleeping in the same room but on different surfaces.”

This means a parent is in their bed, while the infant is in a bassinet or crib in the same room. Or for older kids, a separate bed or space in the same room as the parent, but not in the same bed.

On the other hand, “bed-sharing is a more specific term for an infant or child sharing the bed or sleeping space with the parent/caregiver,” says Dr. Vyas.

Bed-sharing isn’t recommended for infants under age 1

“Bed-sharing is not recommended for any child less than 1 year of age per AAP safe sleep guidelines, which were recently updated,” says Dr. Vyas.

It’s OK to breastfeed or cuddle with your baby in bed, as long as you move them before you fall asleep. (And, luckily, you won’t be missing any special attachment by skipping bed-sharing, according to this new study!)

“Some say bedsharing helps improve breastfeeding and/or bonding of the infant with the mother,” Dr. Vyas adds. “However, the downside is that bed-sharing increases the risk for sudden infant death syndrome [SIDS] and sudden unexplained infant death syndrome [SUIDS], which means an infant may suffocate or stop breathing when bed-sharing. This is a risk and not an absolute, but we want to limit the risk as much as possible.”

“Some parents may find bed-sharing convenient for night-time feedings and believe that their baby ‘sleeps’ better while lying next to them,” Leah Alexander, MD, FAAP, board-certified pediatrician and consultant for Mom Loves Best, tells Motherly. “However, bed-sharing is dangerous for the baby.”

There are many reasons for this. “Adult bed mattresses are not as firm as those designed for infant beds and are an increased risk for SIDS,” she says. “It is also possible for the parent to roll onto the infant while asleep, suffocating the baby. Pillows, blankets and quilts are also infant suffocation risks. For these reasons, the AAP advises against bed-sharing.”

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends placing infants 1 and under on their backs to sleep in a crib alone, with no blankets. 

Co-sleeping has many benefits

Sleeping in the same room as your baby on a different sleep surface has “numerous” benefits, according to Dr. Vyas.

She says co-sleeping “helps to promote breastfeeding, helps regulate breathing and decreases the likelihood of SIDS.”

Dr. Alexander also shared some of the many benefits of co-sleeping. “It is easier for infant feeding, diaper changes, and consoling,” she says. “Mothers can easily soothe a crying baby and breastfeed with the bassinet next to the parent’s bed.”

She continues, “Room sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics until at least age six months and is felt to reduce the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)—any unexpected infant death that cannot be attributed to a specific cause—by 50 percent.”

Again, sleeping in the same room—but not the same bed—as your baby is beneficial until they are 6 months old.

There is a downside to co-sleeping

Experts say co-sleeping could make it harder for your baby to learn to self-soothe when they are older.

“If the child gets used to having the parent in the room with them as they are falling asleep, the infant may be unable to fall asleep independently, which delays transition into their own room,” Dr. Vyas says.

Dr. Alexander agrees. “It may be more difficult to sleep-train older infants,” she says about co-sleeping. “When the baby wakes at night, he or she may cry until held by the parent. It may take longer to learn how to self-soothe.”

“How long a parent chooses to room share is a personal choice,” she adds. “This decision may be associated with the family’s particular home situation; it may not be possible for the infant or toddler to have a separate room.”

Bed-sharing with toddlers is safer—but may lead to less quality sleep

Despite the bed-sharing risks to infants under 1, Dr. Vyas says it may be safer to share a bed or sleeping surface once the baby is past 1 “because their motor skills have improved and can better protect their airway.”

“However, toddlers between 1 and 2 years of age can still suffocate in an unsafe sleeping environment or roll off the bed and injure themselves,” she warns. “Not to mention the parent may not be getting as much or quality sleep as they need if a child of any age is in bed with them.”

A 2018 study in the Journal of Development and Behavioral Pediatrics found that bed-sharing and room-sharing with toddlers is linked to increased mental health symptoms in mothers, which makes sense when you think about how often your toddler will kick, wiggle and wake you up throughout the night. 

In Dr. Alexander’s clinical practice, she recalls “several patients who continue to bed-share throughout their grade school years, much to their parents’ displeasure.”

So, if you want to make it easier on everyone, you might want to move older babies and toddlers to their own bed and their own room to sleep.