Infants as young as six-months-old recognize when adults imitate them and perceive imitators as more friendly. According to a new study from Lund University in Sweden, babies looked and smiled longer at adults who imitated them as opposed to when the adult responded in other ways. This research can be found in PLOS One.
During the study, a researcher met six-month-old babies in their homes and played with them in four different ways. The researcher either: imitated everything the babies did as a mirror, or as a reverse mirror, imitated only the bodily actions of the babies while keeping an immobile face, or responded with a different action when the babies acted. The latter is referred to as contingent responding and is how most parents normally react to their baby. When the baby does something the parent reacts accordingly.
The researchers found that the babies looked and smiled longer, and tried to approach the adult more often, during the close mirroring of their actions.
“Imitating young infants seems to be an effective way to catch their interest and bond with them. The mothers were quite surprised to see their infants joyfully engaging in imitation games with a stranger, but also impressed by the infants’ behaviours,” says Gabriela-Alina Sauciuc, researcher at Lund University and main author of the study.
Researchers tested behavior during imitation. If the baby hit the tab;e and the researcher imitated the action, the baby would then hit the table several times all while watching the researcher’s responses. Even if the researcher did not show any emotion while imitating, the babies still recognized that they were being imitated and responded with the testing behavior.
“This was quite interesting. When someone actively tests the person who is imitating them, it is usually seen as an indication that the imitated individual is aware that there is a correspondence between their own behaviour and the behavior of the other,” Sauciuc says.
“By showing that 6-month-old infants recognize when they are being imitated, and that imitation has a positive effect on interaction, we begin to fill up this gap. We still have to find out when exactly imitation begins to have such effects, and what role imitation recognition actually plays for babies,” Sauciuc concludes.
A 19-month-old picks up a delicious snack, but instead of eating it they hand it over to an adult who wants it. You may think this is an isolated case, but now imagine dozens of babies giving away their treats as well. According to a study that tests the beginning of altruism in humans published on Tuesday, that is exactly what happened.
The babies “looked longingly at the fruit, and then they gave it away!” said Andrew Meltzoff, co-director of the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences at the University of Washington, in a statement. “We think this captures a kind of baby-sized version of altruistic helping.”
Meltzoff and his team studied nearly 100 babies who were 19 months old, a time when many babies are starting to have temper tantrums, especially when told no, according to the American Academy of Pediatricians (PDF). As they approach the “Terrible Twos” developmentally these babies are more likely to act out by hitting, biting, or scratching when denied what they want.
Studies show that food sharing among non-human primates is rare. When they do share, it appears to be among close relatives, or when they think it will benefit them by strengthening relationships with other chimps outside their inner circle.
In our society, humans often respond to people in need of food through donating to food banks, fundraising or simply sharing their lunch or snack. This study delves into the question; when does altruism begin?
Using favorites such as blueberries, bananas and grapes, the study tested whether the infants would give their food to a total stranger without being asked.
After showing the baby a piece of fruit, the researcher gently tossed it onto a tray on the floor which was within the baby’s reach but beyond the researcher’s grasp.In the control group, the researcher did not show any emotion.
The test group, called the “Begging Experimenter Group” had the researcher appear to toss the fruit accidentally and then unsuccessfully try to reach it.
If the baby was in the test group, called the “Begging Experimenter Group,” the researcher appeared to toss the fruit accidentally and then tried unsuccessfully to reach for it.
According to the study, more than half of the babies in the test group picked up the fruit and gave it to the adult. Only 4% of the babies in the control group did the same.
In a second experiment, a different group of 19-month-old babies were tested at their normal snack or meal time. Since this was a time when the babies were typically used to eating, the researchers wanted to test if they would keep the fruit for themselves.
The babies in the control group did keep the fruit, but 37% of the babies in the test group gave the fruit away to the hungry adult.
Psychologist Mark Strauss, who directs the Infant and Toddler Development Center at the University of Pittsburgh, said “we really don’t know that the differential behavior between the two groups has to do with food. It could be that the toddlers recognize in the ‘begging condition’ that the adult didn’t want to drop and they are being helpful.
Strauss, who was not involved in the study said, “Finally, given that the children may not have been hungry. There really is no evidence that the children are being altruistic, but rather just being helpful.”
Sparking water lovers can take a big exhale: the class action lawsuit against the makers of LaCroix, National Beverage from Oct. 2018 has been completely retracted with prejudice. The original lawsuit claimed that the “all natural” beverage has several artificial ingredients.
This week, National Beverage Corp. announced that the original lawsuit has been dismissed and all allegations including statements that challenged the labeling practices of LaCroix have been retracted. So what happened?
The initial lawsuit alleged that LaCroix products contained linalool—an ingredient also found in cockroach insecticide but is also a common food additive and component of essential oils found in many spices. The plaintiff, Lenora Rice has since recanted her statements in a new press release issued by team of lawyers.
Rice and her law firm withdrew and retracted all her claims, while admitting that the testing of LaCroix by her laboratory had no findings that the beverage contained any artificial ingredients.
A company spokesperson has responded, stating “This dismissal confirms our promise to demonstrate that these allegations had absolutely no merit and reaffirms that the Company delivers a pure and innocent product. This is a vindication of National Beverage and confirms the assurances we gave to our loyal following of LaCroix consumers, our customers and our shareholders that this lawsuit was baseless.”
Gluten-free food products dot the grocery aisle shelves and for many, adhering to a gluten-free diet is a necessity. Why? Celiac Disease, an immune mediated disease, can affect as high as 1% of the population in North America, according to Dr. Nasha Khavari, is a clinical associate professor and the director of the Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease Center. We recently asked Dr. Khavari about Celiac Disease in children and what parents can do to better identify and manage the disease (beyond only going gluten free). If you have a hunch someone in your family may be affected by Celiac Disease or want to learn more regarding proper diagnosis and treatment, read on to hear from Dr. Khavari.
Can you tell us what exactly Celiac Disease is and its instance in children? At what age are kids usually diagnosed?
Dr. Khavari: Celiac Disease is an immune mediated disease in genetically predisposed individuals. It can be triggered by eating/ingestion of gluten-containing foods, including wheat, rye, barley, and oats. The incidence of Celiac Disease may be as high as 1% of the population in North America.
What are the proper steps and procedures for determining a Celiac Disease diagnosis in a young child?
Dr. Khavari: If a child has either symptoms concerning for Celiac Disease or is at risk for Celiac Disease (a family history of a first-degree relative or other related disease), we ask that they are screened for Celiac Disease. The disease can present and range from no symptoms at all to significant malabsorption, failure to thrive and weight loss. Our Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease care team would begin with an initial visit, followed by the diagnostic work up with laboratory testing. If this testing results are concerning, diagnosis is usually confirmed with a procedure called an upper endoscopy.
My five-year-old complains about tummy aches. Is this a sign of Celiac Disease? Is there anything I can look out for to know if this is normal or if there’s a reason to be concerned?
Dr. Khavari: Abdominal pain can be a sign of Celiac Disease. It can also be very common symptom in children without Celiac Disease. However, some of the more traditional ways Celiac Disease presents include symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and problems with gaining weight or height.
With that said, some children with Celiac Disease have no symptoms at all making it very important to be tested if your child is in a higher risk category.
With the New Year, I want my family to eat healthier and am considering cutting out gluten our diet. Is this a good idea for my family’s overall health? What are the negative factors to consider before we eliminate gluten from our child’s diet?
Dr. Khavari: As pediatricians, we really like to encourage healthy, diverse diet, with minimally processed foods and significant fruits and vegetables. Many of the naturally gluten free foods, for example, fruits and vegetables, are important to incorporate into a child’s daily diet.
Unnecessary exclusion of foods from a child’s diet can be stressful and detract from their overall quality of life. Negative factors to consider before eliminating gluten from your child’s diet include the possibility of missing a diagnosis of Celiac Disease as laboratory testing may not be accurate once you have eliminated gluten from your child’s diet, quality of life effects on the child, and the higher cost of purchasing some of the processed gluten-free foods. It is also important to keep in mind that many of the more highly processed gluten-free foods are higher in sugar content which can have adverse effects on children.
If we find out our child does have Celiac Disease, what are our options and what sort of care will she need to receive?
Dr. Khavari: We recommend that your child see a pediatric gastroenterologist, as well as nutritionist with expertise in navigating the gluten free diet.
Are there medications they can take?
Dr. Khavari: There are no current medications for the treatment of Celiac Disease.
Is this something they’ll live with her whole life?
Dr. Khavari: Celiac Disease is thought to be a lifelong autoimmune disease in most diagnosed individuals.
How important is nutritional coaching/training for my child post-diagnosis?
Dr. Khavari: This is probably among the most important aspects of Celiac Disease after making the diagnosis. Providing your child with the proper nutritional support and education is key to their success in managing this disease. Our Celiac Disease team supports patient care specific to Celiac Disease, from the newly diagnosed through ongoing lifestyle maintenance, offering families the resources and valuable steps to ensure your child’s overall health and well-being.
My five-year-old son has Celiac Disease. What are some useful tips to help us navigate school snacks and lunches once he enters Kindergarten?
Dr. Khavari: We usually recommend sending a letter to the teacher and school staff explaining what Celiac Disease is, and why a student needs to eliminate gluten from their diet. We also recommend a stash of gluten-free foods for the classroom for those days when other children in the class may bring a gluten containing treats to share with the class.
What is the best way to manage this when he is away from our home, and for example, on playdates or at birthday parties?
Dr. Khavari: If you are close with the families of playdates and others having a conversation with the family about what foods they are able to eat is really helpful. Sometimes packing a gluten-free snack for your child, or for them to share with friends, can also be really helpful. While the gluten free diet is the most important aspect of treatment of Celiac Disease, balancing this with a good quality of life for children and allowing them to socialize, interact and eat (in a safe, gluten-free manner with others) is also a very important aspect of treatment.
Dr. Nasha Khavari is a clinical associate professor and the director of the Stanford Children’s Health Celiac Disease Center. She received her medical degree from University of Minnesota Medical School in 2003 and has been in practice for 16 years. Dr. Khavari completed her pediatrics residency at Stanford Children’s Health followed by a fellowship in pediatric gastroenterology at Harvard’s Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Khavari specializes in treating conditions in children like chronic stomach pain, ulcers, diarrhea, reflux, cancer, Crohn’s disease and Celiac Disease.
Las Vegas is anything but boring and that is especially true when you are looking for a kids museum. These Las Vegas museums all kids to explore science, learn about Vegas history through neon artifacts, find out about atomic testing and even see some artifacts from the Titanic. Plan your exploration day today!
DISCOVERY Children’s Museum
DISCOVERY Children’s Museum
Three-stories tall in stature, the DISCOVERY Children’s Museum 58,000-square-foot building is home to nine-themed exhibition halls totaling 26,000 square feet of interactive hands-on core exhibits. You'll find special activities for toddlers, a unique makerspace for kids of all ages and a 70-foot climbing tower.
Start your visit to Las Vegas with a stop at The Neon Museum and you’ll get all caught up on the city’s history through its retired neon signs. Knowledgeable guides tour guests through this this neon boneyard that includes signs from old casinos and other Las Vegas businesses while providing interesting facts about the area’s development into the tourist destination that it is today. You can visit the museum and tour the signs on your own until 4 p.m. daily or opt for the full experience of a one-hour guided tour in the evening.
770 Las Vegas Boulevard North Las Vegas, NV Online: neonmuseum.org
Travel back in time at this museum that features a modern exhibit hall with a timeline exhibit about southern Nevada from pre-historic to modern times and a collection of restored historic buildings that depict daily life from different decades in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson and Goldfield.
Your little history buffs are in for a treat when you visit the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the Luxor Hotel. This fully-immersive exhibit starts out by assigning you with the identity of one of the Titanic passengers. You can read about your person’s history and when they were sailing aboard this massive ship.
The exhibit takes you through all the different classes on the ship with information about how the first class dined and how those on third class had to share a communal bathtub. Actual artifacts including “The Big Piece” are on display with videos showing how they were removed from the ocean floor. Opt for the audio tour to get the full experience. Bonus, kids three and under are free.
The National Atomic Testing Museum is a national science, history and educational institution that tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. The Museum uses lessons of the past and present to better understand the extent and effect of nuclear testing on worldwide nuclear deterrence and geo-political history.
Even thought it may not feature a wisecracking dragon, or show-stopping musical numbers like the original, the new live-action version of Mulan looks to be an action-packed cinematic adventure.
This week, Walt Disney Studios released the final trailer for the upcoming film.
According to Walt Disney Studios, “When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army to defend the country from Northern invaders, Hua Mulan, the eldest daughter of an honored warrior, steps in to take the place of her ailing father. Masquerading as a man, Hua Jun, she is tested every step of the way and must harness her inner-strength and embrace her true potential. It is an epic journey that will transform her into an honored warrior and earn her the respect of a grateful nation…and a proud father.”
New mom Shay Mitchell has just launched a the new the BÉIS baby collection featuring stylish, but affordable baby gear.
The new baby collection is an extension of her existing BÉIS luggage and accessories company. Adding baby gear into the mix makes perfect sense since Mitchell recently welcomed her first baby, Atlas.
The new collection includes a diaper bag, bottle cooler and stroller caddy, all mom and dad tested. The diaper bag is available in both Beige and Black, with gold and silver chain detailing. The bags include a changing pad, odor-resistant bag wristlet, stroller straps, pacifier holder and teething toy. It’s priced at $168.
The bottle cooler is available in black and comes with an ice pack. It sells for $28.
The stroller caddy comes in black and features two bottle holders. It’s priced at $34.
The new collection is now available for purchase on BEIStravel.com.com and will available at Nordstrom stores and online, as well as Revolve.com starting Feb. 5.
It was January 4th, 2020 at 9 a.m. I’m sitting in my robe on my bed, no pants, messy hair everywhere, staring over my bulbous baby belly at my outstretched hands. My hands are now significantly more swollen than they were yesterday. There is a stiffness in my finger joints that I had started to feel the day previous but it had doubled overnight as I slept.
I was concerned. I typed daily for work and this swelling was going to make life mildly frustrating. Pregnant women balloon up all the time though, right? At 35 weeks along during my first pregnancy, it made sense that my tiny body’s process of packing on the pounds had finally moved away from my butt and thighs to other parts of me that had been awaiting increased thickness.
I ended up posting a question on Facebook asking for advice from my fellow moms about how to reduce swelling because I had been experiencing this strange hand swelling and stiffness over the past 48 hours.
I eventually got up and waddled to the bathroom as expecting mamas are known to do. While taking care of business, my bestie Jonathan (not a mom or parent, but a trained medic) texted me an article about various causes of pregnancy swelling. Within the article near the end, the term preeclampsia was mentioned as well as its symptoms. It’s a high blood pressure complication that can lead to serious harm to the baby and mother.
I felt my gut metaphorically drop as my baby girl literally kicked around. I apparently had more pain and correlated symptoms with preeclampsia than just sudden swelling and stiffness resulting in dexterity reduction. Preeclampsia is most often experienced by women starting in the 34th week or in the later weeks leading up to full term. Preclampsia can also cause pain in the upper right side of the torso as well as lead to nausea. Oh snap.
I often experienced pain in my right side near my ribs but had always attributed it to baby pressing on my ribs with her little feet. Was I wrong in this assessment?
The past two days I had been consistently nauseous. Should I be taking my queasy tummy more seriously as an issue?
I was definitely in the range of time where preclampsia could hit at 35 weeks.
And my hand swelling was definitely its own unique kind of awful.
So, what do I do as an anxious individual with all these new scary worries swirling through my head? I go stare at my body in our bathroom’s full-length mirror.
Lo and behold, I noticed that my shins looked thicker. And then my feet. They were puffy too. Hmmm. I tested out my toes and ankle joints. Stiff just like my hands. I tried moving everything around. Alas, my knees and elbows were stiff during movement too! Eeep! TOO MANY COINCIDENCES.
Must not panic.
Back on my bed, I stared at my phone for at least five minutes. I hate phone calls and also asking for help. Both make me feel awkward and embarrassed. Alas, my next step required me to do BOTH.
I called my hospital’s triage center and spoke to the on-call doctor about all that I had been experiencing within the past 48 hours as well as my discovery that they suspiciously lined up with preeclampsia—hence the call. WHAT DO I DO????
She honestly wasn’t too concerned and didn’t think I needed to drive over for testing.
BUT. She did advise me that if I was still feeling anxious or paranoid about possibly having preeclampsia to go do one simple thing:
Go to your local pharmacy and use their free blood pressure checking machine!
Her pro advice: If my reading’s top number was over 140, or the bottom number was over 90, that meant that my blood pressure was too high and it was necessary to head on over to the hospital.
But if my BP reading was under the numbers she had specified, I would save myself the hassle of having to pay a hospital triage bill for a false alarm.
So, off to the drugstore I went.
And, it turns out, my blood pressure was fine. Hallelujah!
I was just finally packing on those pounds and swelling as mothers generally do… but really late in the game.
Lesson learned? It is always appropriate to call your provider with questions, no matter how silly, panicked, or complicated your question may be. If it’s about a symptom you’re dealing with you may very well be catching something early! But most of the time your pregnancy paranoia will be assuaged instead.
I am a first time mom entering into parenthood with my sweet husband as our baby girl is due on February 10, 2020. I love to write and have turned my hobby into a freelance career creating content such as blog posts, news updates, and newsletters for small businesses!
Want the flavor of a tangy candy treat without all the guilt? Yogurt is the answer. Yoplait Starburst has arrived to feed your sweet cravings!
Yoplait has just released a line of new Starburst-inspired flavors, and the new additions include all the classic Starburst flavors of cherry, strawberry, orange and lemon.
No word on exactly how close to the real deal these yogurts taste, but they were spotted both at Food 4 Less grocery stores and Ralph’s supermarkets. Both chains are owned by Kroger. As Best Products points out, it seems that the Yoplait Starburst flavors are being tested out in certain markets before a full nationwide launch.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration just announced that Missa Bay, LLC is recalling approximately 75,233 pounds of salad products that contain meat or poultry because the lettuce ingredient may be contaminated with E. coli.
If you have this product at home, read on for important information.
The current recall includes products marked with the establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The items were shipped to distribution locations in Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and Wisconsin. The recall includes salads labeled Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Caesar, Target Bowl Chicken Caesar and Aldi Bistro Santa Fe. You can find the full list of items here.
Why the Salad Products Were Recalled
During an investigation for a foodborne illness outbreak, the Maryland Department of Health tested an unopened package of Ready Pac Bistro Chicken Raised Without Antibiotics Caesar Salad with FSIS EST number 18502B on the label. The lettuce tested positive for E. coli so the company has issued a recall on all products from the same lot of lettuce.
How To Tell If Your Salad Product Was Recalled
If you purchased lettuce in any of the affected states check your packaging for the establishment number “EST. 18502B” inside the USDA mark of inspection and a “best buy” date ranging from Oct. 30-Nov. 1.
What Consumers Can Do
While the items recalled have long since expired, check your refrigerator and throw away any items that may be part of the recall.
