MAGAZINE PHOTOS DON’T ALWAYS DEPICT SAFE SLEEP FOR BABIES

More than a third of photographs in magazines geared to women of childbearing age showed babies in sleep positions or sleep environments that are unsafe, according to the study, “Infant Sleep Environments Depicted in Magazines Targeted to Women of Childbearing Age.” Researchers looked at 20 magazines with wide circulation among women 20 to 40 years old, as well as eight magazines geared toward expectant mothers and parents of young children. The researchers analyzed pictures of sleeping infants and infant sleep environments (such as cribs) in both articles and advertisements, looking for adherence to American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines for decreasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). More than one third of pictures of sleeping infants showed them in an inappropriate sleep position, such as on their tummy. Two thirds of pictures depicting infant sleep environments were not consistent with AAP recommendations. According to the authors, such messages in print media may create confusion and misinformation among parents, and may inadvertently lead to unsafe
practices.

SHORT KIDS ARE OK

Parents often express concern about the emotional well-being of children who fall on the lower end of the range of average height. In the past, some studies have indicated that these children may experience more social and peer problems. The study, “Short Stature in a Population-Based Cohort: Social, Emotional and Behavioral Functioning According to Teacher and Child Reports,” tested this theory by interviewing 712 boys and girls of all heights in sixth grade. They asked the children and their teachers to complete surveys featuring questions about interaction with peers, including being excluded from groups and/or victimization. The authors found that children of short stature were no different from their non-short peers with respect to exclusion, social support, popularity, victimization, depressive symptoms, optimism or behavioral problems. This study can help reassure parents that children of short stature do just as well socially as their taller peers.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.