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• Group Asks For Ban On Food Additives Linked to Hyperactivity

  Those wacky Europeans. When a bunch of food additives were linked to hyperactivity in children, the UK Food Standards Agency actually asked that the EU ban those additives, and that UK food manufacturers sign a voluntary ban on the chemicals in effect by the end of 2009. Talk about drastic. All because some researchers at the University of Southampton said the number of hyperactive kids could be cut by a third if the additives were banned. But how are Brits going to know something is cherry-flavored if it isn't colored bright red?  The industry Food & Drink Federation spokesperson says... Read More... Posted Apr 11 2008, 05:03 PM by Kelly Mills with | with no comments Filed under: children, food, health, Europe, safety, EU, UK, chemicals, rules, drink, ban, industry, additives, hyperactivity

• Pregcellent: Vacant Womb For Rent

  First off, I'd like to say that anyone who goes into being a surrogate strictly for the money has chosen a very challenging way to make a buck, because being pregnant is no picnic. But as this Newsweek article on the lives of surrogates points out, many women are also motivated by a desire to help others and to contribute something meaningful to the lives of couples who want kids. And the stereotype of the rich woman who wants a baby but not the stretch marks and thus hires a surrogate is strange also, since I can't imagine what would be more challenging than entrusting another person with your offspring before they are even born. So I doubt that one is founded much in reality either. The article, which chronicles the stories of a number of women who became surrogates, touches on the controversies surrounding the practice... Read More... Posted Apr 02 2008, 06:33 PM by Kelly Mills with | with 2 comment(s) Filed under: pregnancy, parents, mothers, laws, Europe, infertility, moms, Conception, sperm, stereotypes, childrearing, pregcellent, newsweek, gestation, egg, DNA, surrogates, contracts, couples

• More and More Twins Everywhere, Especially in the 'Land of Twins'

  We’re always hearing about how the U.S. is experiencing an “epidemic” of multiple births. Triplets are the new twins, twins are the new singleton, singletons are the new, uh, red-headed stepchild? I don’t know. What I’m trying to say is there are lots of twins in the U.S. The rate of fraternal twins in Europe and the U.S. is somewhere around 1.2 percent and .8 percent in Japan. But in western Africa, the rate is much higher, especially among the Yoruba, who live mainly in the southwestern part of Nigeria. There, the rate of twin births is an astounding  ... Read More... Posted Nov 26 2007, 06:08 PM by Madeline Holler with | with 1 comment(s) Filed under: twins, multiple births, Europe, Japan, Africa, Madeline Holler, U.S.

• Travels With Kids: Abroad Is Better Older

  Not that I'm bitter that the extent of my summer traveling was a seven-hour van ride to Disneyland: here's a nice piece on the pros and cons of traveling with kids. Most of the folks agreed that for any kind of big-deal, sightseeing vacation, you are better off waiting until the children are old enough to appreciate the adventure. I like these tips from Lonely Planet co-founder Maureen Wheeler. She advises "waiting until kids are 3, 'when they're out of diapers, when they can eat food, when they can talk.' If you're planning once-in-a-lifetime trips, 'then maybe you don't start traveling with your children until the age of 7 to 10.'" Because do you really wanna deal with changing a poopy diaper at the Sistine Chapel? On the pro side of venturing forth with kids, travel author Pauline Frommer says, "'So what are parents with wanderlust to do? Just stick with the tried and true theme park and cruise vacations, squelching their own desires to see the world? For many, leaving the kids at home over vacation just isn't doable, financially or emotionally.'" I know a few families that have traveled extensively with tiny babies and toddlers, and I will tell you they posses an easy-going, adventurous attitude I will never have. They also do things like eat food from stands on the side of the road and meet locals who invite them to stay in their homes. If you are one of those people, you could probably roam the streets of Nepal with two children under the age of three and be fine. Me, I'm just glad I survived the van ride. Posted Jul 09 2007, 06:33 PM by Kelly Mills with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: Europe, Disneyland, kid activities, travel advice, vacations

• 67-Year-Old Woman Births Twins. And You Thought *You* Had It Rough.

  A 67-year-old woman became the oldest person in history to give birth - to twins! -  in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday.  Laura Bennett, move over.  There's a new Super Woman in town.   A hospital spokesperson said that though both babies are in incubators, they are both healthy, as is the mother.  No comment from either party about the fact that Super Woman totally stole the "World's Oldest Birth Mother" title from  it's previous holder, 67-year-old Adriana Iliescu of Romania.  Burn! Becoming a mother at the ripe old age of 67 is quite a feat, no doubt about it.  In fact, I didn't realize that it was humanly possible.  Super Woman's got experience, wisdom and knitting abilities on her side, that's for sure.  Although... these attributes could be in direct competition with arthritis, cataracts, early-onset dementia, or any number of other special treats that come with advanced age.  Mama may not live long enough to see you enter kindergarten, babies, but hot damn!, she got you in the Guiness Book of World Records!  So, that's something. I offer my sincere congratulations to the new family.   And I vow here and now, to never, ever live in Europe during my Golden Years.  They must've put something in the water over there.  //SHUDDER// Posted Dec 31 2006, 08:15 PM by Alisyn with | with 3 comment(s) Filed under: twins, Laura Bennett, world's oldest mother, Europe