Breast-feeding saves babies' lives. According to a study in the journal Pediatrics, over 900 babies could be saved annually if 90% of U.S. mothers breast-fed their babies for the first 6 months of life. Breast-feeding helps prevent stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and childhood leukemia. Breast milk not only contains antibodies to fight infection, it can also affect insulin levels, thus helping to prevent diabetes and obesity. Approximately 43% of U.S. mothers do some breast-feeding the first 6 months, but only 12% breast-feed exclusively. Perhaps only 12% have stayed abreast of the advantages.
When babies are involved, there are disadvantages to parents and caregivers blowing on food, sharing utensils and kissing on the mouth. These activities can transfer cavity-causing bacteria via saliva. However, only people with active tooth decay can transfer these bacteria. Teeth are most vulnerable in infants. When teeth first erupt, the enamel is very soft. Because untreated bacteria will colonize and also attack children's permanent teeth, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends dental evaluations when babies get their first tooth. This is information for parents to sink their teeth into - their healthy teeth.
According to a 2010 government survey, parents also need to know that preteens are much more likely to sniff household products to get high than to smoke marijuana. Among 12-year-olds, inhalant use in 2008 was 6.9%, misuse of prescription drugs was 5.1% and marijuana use was 1.4%. The products abused ranged from air fresheners to shoe polish. They are inexpensive and easy to get. They're also deadly. Inhaling concentrated toxic vapors can damage the liver and other organs, as well as cause "sudden sniffing death". Although sprays containing butane or propane are the most dangerous, none contain the sweet smell of success.
And then there's the problem of childhood obesity. About 25% of U.S. children are obese. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente analyzed the height and weight of 710,949 children ages 2-19 enrolled in their Southern California health plans in 2007 and 2008. They found 7.3% of the boys and 5.5% of the girls were extremely obese. That translates into more than 45,000 children in the study. Health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, liver disease and sleep apnea usually seen in 40 to 60-year-olds are being seen in 20-year-olds. Either the excess weight is taken off or 10-20 years can be taken off their life spans.
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