Baby News on the Web: Week of 2/6/12

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Check out this week's headline news focusing on all things mama and baby...the good, the bad and the ugly. This week's topics include home births are on the rise but are they safe, AAP recommends warning label on medication that can cause suicidal thoughts, pet turtles are inappropriate pets for kids, curing illness with laughter, plus much more. Want to keep up to date on Baby News? Sign up for our free newsletter.

Common infections in children pose a high risk of ischemic stroke

According to the Centers for Disease Control, home births are on the rise, but the tragic death of an Australian home birth advocate highlights a debate over safety.

Two Saint Louis University pediatricians said they are leading an effort to change the way doctors respond to parents' fears of vaccines.

On January 30th an advisory panel of pediatricians recommended the FDA to mandate Focalin contain a warning label against the suicidal thoughts.

U.K. law gives dads equal access to kids

Almost half of women who said they'd been struggling to get pregnant for at least a year ended up having a baby despite not getting fertility treatment

Children born to a parent over age 35 are at greater risk for developing an autism spectrum disorder -- but the risk is the same whether just one or both parents are older

Because of the health danger, pet turtles are inappropriate pets in homes with young children or other high-risk people, such as pregnant women, seniors and those with weak immune systems

Children who have more than one surgery with general anesthesia by their second birthday might be at higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Mothers who push their toddlers to eat more at snack time may end up with a heavier child

The total lifetime estimated financial costs associated with just one year of confirmed child maltreatment is approximately $124 billion.

Pregnant women with HIV can prevent passing the AIDS-causing virus to their babies by taking antiretroviral drugs, but there remains a possibility that some of these medications might cause birth defects.

One in 10 babies along Minnesota's North Shore are born with unhealthy levels of mercury in their bodies.

Women who are both overweight and smoke during pregnancy could damage their baby's developing heart

For kids, laughter really may be the best medicine.

When children are sick, family participation is central to their treatment. AAP want parents and pediatricians to become partners at every level of care.