Childbirth charities, including the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) and the Lullaby Trust, have issued warnings about the dangers of hands-free breastfeeding or bottle feeding when a baby is carried in a sling. Their updated guidance highlights the risks, especially for premature babies and those under four months old, due to the potential for airway obstruction.

This warning follows an inquest into the tragic death of six-week-old Jimmy Alderman, who was being breastfed in a baby carrier at home. The coroner’s report found that there was little publicly available information on the safe positioning of babies in slings or the risk of suffocation while feeding.

The Tragic Case That Prompted the Warning

In October 2023, Jimmy Alderman, an infant from London, was breastfed while in a sling but was positioned too far down, leading to a blocked airway within five minutes. Despite immediate resuscitation efforts, he passed away three days later.

Senior coroner for west London, Lydia Brown, noted the absence of clear visual guidance on safe versus unsafe baby postures in slings. She pointed out that existing NHS literature offered no guidance or warnings on this issue.

How Have Charities Responded?

Following the coroner’s report and feedback from Jimmy’s parents, the NCT reviewed its online information regarding baby slings and carriers. The updated guidance explicitly states that hands-free feeding while moving around is unsafe, particularly for:

• Babies under four months old
• Premature babies
• Babies with underlying health conditions

The Lullaby Trust has also revised its advice, now recommending that babies should always be removed from the sling before feeding. CEO Jenny Ward explained, “We are constantly reviewing the evidence and research, as there is currently no robust evidence on how to feed hands-free safely, which is why we changed our guidance to advise against it.”

Why Is Hands-Free Feeding in Slings Dangerous?

Young babies lack strong neck muscles and cannot lift their heads independently. If a baby’s head tilts forward or is pressed against fabric, their airway can become blocked, leading to suffocation within minutes. Additional risks include:

Fabric Obstruction: The sling or a caregiver’s clothing can press against the baby’s face, preventing proper breathing.

Incorrect Sling Fitting: A poorly adjusted carrier may cause the baby’s body to slump, further restricting airflow.

Head Trauma: Babies in improperly secured slings may suffer head injuries if they fall or experience sudden movements.

How to Use Baby Slings Safely

While baby slings can be a convenient way to carry an infant, proper positioning is crucial for safety. The NCT and NHS recommend the following guidelines:

• The sling should be tight enough to keep the baby secure.
• The baby’s face should always be visible when glancing down.
• The baby should be upright, facing outwards, not pressed against the caregiver’s body.
• The baby’s head should be close enough to kiss.
• The material should never cover the baby’s nose or mouth.

Future Research and Ongoing Safety Efforts

In response to concerns raised by parents and medical professionals, the Lullaby Trust is helping to fund research aimed at developing clearer safety guidelines for baby slings and carriers. The goal is to provide better information for parents and caregivers to prevent similar tragedies.

Additionally, the NHS advises parents to ensure that sling fabric does not cover their baby’s head and to remain attentive to their infant’s breathing while using a carrier.

Memories of a child growing up are a few of the most profound moments in a parent’s life. For the longest time we believed that kids could not form memories at that time, but a new study has found something very interesting. They found that even very young babies, around 1 year old, can actually form memories. This suggests why we may not remember being babies might be more about not being able to recall or keep those memories, rather than not making them in the first place.

Infantile amnesia is a period of childhood that adults cannot remember, and this is said to occur in the first few years (0-3 years) from birth.

Scientists used to think that a part of the brain called the hippocampus, which helps adults remember specific events, took too long to develop in babies. Because of this, they thought babies couldn't really form memories. But this new research published in the Science journal 2025 shows that the hippocampus is involved when babies make memories. This means that specific things that happen can get stored in babies' brains. So, maybe we don't remember being babies because those memories get lost, or we just can't get to them anymore as we grow up. Other studies hint that those baby memories might still be there, just hidden.

How Did Researchers Find That Babies Still Remember?

To see how babies' brains work when they see things, the researchers used a special kind of brain scan called functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). This machine is safe and measures how much blood flows to different parts of the brain, which tells us how active those parts are. They showed babies pictures of outdoor places, faces, and toys while they were in the fMRI scanner.

These scans were done when the babies were awake. They showed babies a colorful, moving background to keep them interested. Then, they showed them pictures they had never seen before, like a dog toy, a mountain, or a woman's face. About a minute later, they showed the baby the same picture next to a new one from the same type of thing to see which one the baby looked at more.

What they found was astonishing! While the researchers believed the babies would take time to remember, they recognized the pictures quickly! When babies looked more at the picture they had seen, there was more activity in their hippocampus, showing that this part of the brain was involved in making that memory.

Why Are Baby Memories Important?

Experts believe this could be the building blocks for baby growth and development. These early memories help them learn and understand things, form close bonds with people, and build relationships. They also affect how babies develop emotionally and socially.

Early memories also help babies learn basic skills like moving, talking, and reacting to different situations. Even though babies won't remember these specific moments later, these early experiences shape how they understand the world and how they interact with others as they grow. Even though babies don't have memories they can consciously recall, their brains need strong emotional and sensory experiences to develop properly.

One of the most important and profound moments of a mother’s life is when they are nurturing and protecting the baby in their womb. The reason why they are advised precautions is because both their health, the baby’s and the mother’s, could be at risk for small mistakes. This fear may seem extreme but is not unfound especially as a new study has shown how the daily usage of plastic around them may cause their baby harm. That’s why days that bring the focus on baby and the mother's health are important.

7th of April every year is observed has World Health Day, according to World Health Organization (WHO), it helps draw attention to specific health concerns and this year’s focal point is “Healthy Beginning, Hopeful Futures” where they are highlighting women’s and baby health. According to WHO many women lose their lives during childbirth and many children lose their lives in the first year, and these are preventable death. So, it is very important to pay attention to your surroundings to make sure everyone is thriving.

Concerning Link Between Plastics And Baby Development

Plastic products have become a huge part of our lives. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Issues Brief 2024 edition, we generate over 460 million metric tons of plastic and 20 million metric tons every year. This not only affects the environment, but also for people’s direct health as we use plastic products every day. Many studies and health sources show us how the daily products we use are responsible for microplastics to invade our bodies and cause health issues. According to the United Nations Development Programme microplastics in our bodies could cause issues like endocrine disruption, weight gain and insulin resistance.

A new study published in the Nature Communications journal shows that even babies are not safe from the health effects of plastic. This study revealed a potential link between kids being affected by a common chemical found in plastic in their mother's womb, which may be negatively affecting their brain development.

The reason why this is a concerning link is because these chemicals are commonly found in everyday use plastics called phthalates. They have been linked to lower levels of important brain chemicals in newborns. Specifically, the research team observed reduced amounts of serotonin and dopamine in these infants. The study showed that these babies had lower amounts of serotonin and dopamine. These are like messengers in the brain that help with mood, learning, and how a baby reacts to things. This makes scientists worry that these "everywhere chemicals" could be bad for how a baby's brain grows.

How Did the Research Work?

To figure this out, the scientists followed 216 moms and their babies in a city called Atlanta. While the moms were pregnant, the scientists checked their urine samples to see how much of the phthalate chemicals was there. After the babies were born, they took a little bit of their blood to check different things. They found that the babies whose moms had more of these chemicals in their urine sample also had lower levels of specific amino acids in their blood.

These amino acids, called tyrosine and tryptophan, are used by the body to make the good brain stuff like serotonin and dopamine. These babies didn't do as well on tests that checked how well they paid attention and how quickly they reacted to things. This careful way of checking both moms and babies help show that the chemicals might be linked to these brain differences.

This study adds to other information that says these phthalate chemicals might cause other health problems too, like asthma and being overweight. It shows that these common chemicals might not just affect our bodies in general, but could also mess with how babies' brains grow, which is a very important time.

How Can We Avoid These Chemicals?

The researchers and other experts suggest some easy things we can do to be around less of these chemicals. One idea is to use glass or metal things instead of plastic for food and drinks. Another is to not use pans that have a nonstick coating. When you buy things like shampoo and soap, try to find ones that say "phthalate-free." As these chemicals can get into dust in our houses, it can help to open windows to get fresh air and to clean regularly with a damp cloth. Doing these simple things might help lower how much of these chemicals get into our bodies and could be especially important for protecting pregnant women and their babies.

It's a question that quietly lingers in many parents' and caregivers' minds perhaps your normally cheerful child has been unusually quiet. Or maybe your teenager, once outgoing and lively, appears more withdrawn or irritable by the day. You attribute it to growing pains, hormones, or school stress. But deep in your belly, a small voice whispers: Could this be something more ominous?

Maybe at last mental health is finally receiving the attention it should receive. And yet with children, it's still simple to miss the early warning signs. After all, kids don't always know how they're feeling—and sometimes their distress manifests itself in seemingly random ways, like difficulty sleeping, tantrums, or even reports of a tummy ache.

In the complex process of childhood development, mental health tends to take a backseat to worry about physical growth, vaccinations, and diet. But as there is growing awareness about emotional health worldwide, it's increasingly becoming apparent that children's mental health deserves as much concern and care as their physical health. In fact, pediatricians are now leading the way in detecting early warning signs that could indicate more serious psychological problems.

We interviewed Dr. Kushal Agrawal, Department Head of Neonatology and Paediatrics, to learn how pediatricians recognize the early warning signs of mental health issues—and why parents must never second-guess their instincts. His observations shed light on what's normal, what's not, and how early intervention can be the difference-maker in a child's life.

In keeping with the World Health Organization's findings, it is estimated that one in every six children in the 10-19 year age group suffer from a mental health condition. Experts point out that early detection and intervention are what can transform a child's life. Dr. Kushal, points out, "Being pediatricians, we are also the first stop when children exhibit slight changes in mood or behavior. While overall physical health still takes precedence, the increasing rates of mental disorders in children deserve equal priority.

What Mental Health in Children Really Means?

Child mental health is the emotional, psychological, and social well-being that determines how they think, feel, and behave. It is instrumental in enabling them to deal with stress, relate to others, and make proper choices. While physical illnesses are more apparent and can be diagnosed easily, mental health issues tend to present themselves subtly—sometimes not being noticed until they start impacting schoolwork, social interaction, or family dynamics.

A child's mental health is not fixed but changes with age, environmental factors, and biological growth. Hence, it is important to have constant interaction and monitoring in identifying red flags early.

Common Mental Health Disorders Identified in Children

Children may exhibit a range of mental health disorders that appear during different phases of their lives. These include developmental and mood as well as behavioral disorders:

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Marked by communication problems and repetitive activities, symptoms typically emerge in early childhood and greatly differ in intensity.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): ADHD is a very frequent neurodevelopmental disorder among children, commonly associated with inattention, impulsiveness, and restlessness.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): This disorder might occur after the experience or witness of a traumatic event. PTSD children tend to have difficulty with flashbacks, sleep disturbances, and emotional unresponsiveness.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Children who have OCD have uncontrollable, repetitive thoughts and acts they feel the need to repeat.

Mood Disorders: Both depression and bipolar disorder may be seen in children, usually disguised as irritability or hostility.

Developmental Disorders: These are a range of disorders involving language, behavior, and learning disorders, and usually require early treatment.

Dr. Agrawal explains, "Mental health issues may manifest differently in children than in adults. One of the first signs is a clear change in behavior—avoidance of activities they previously enjoyed, sudden belligerence, or persistent unhappiness."

Early Warning Signs Parents Shouldn't Ignore

Getting ahead of the game starts with paying attention. Kids might not have the words or emotional maturity to describe their suffering, so their pain tends to emerge through behavior.

Behavioral Changes: Sudden moodiness, chronic irritability, or defiance can be more than a bad day. A reclusive extroverted child, or an aggressive child previously mild, warrants closer scrutiny.

Sleep and Eating Changes: Sleep disruptions—insomnia, nightmares, or hyper-sleeping—and shifts in appetite are potential precursors of emotional stress or anxiety.

Academic Struggles: A former high-achieving student might suddenly turn away from homework, face difficulty maintaining attention, or act out in class. "Decline academically is another significant signal," responds Dr. Agrawal. "A declining, previously attentive student may be quietly fighting anxiety or depression."

Physical Complaints: Persistent, unexplained headaches or stomachaches—particularly coupled with stress-producing situations—are commonly associated with emotional pain.

Regressive or Risky Behaviors: Young children can regress to previous behaviors like bedwetting or clinginess, whereas older children can indulge in risky behavior or show hopelessness.

Supporting Mental Health at Home

The home environment is a critical factor in a child's mental and emotional health. Dr. Agrawal believes in empowering parents with practical strategies that assist in creating a stable, supportive environment.

Establish Open Communication

Create a space where your child feels safe discussing emotions. Avoid rushing to solutions—instead, listen actively and validate their feelings. This reassures them that they are not alone.

Maintain Routine and Predictability

Children find comfort in structure. Regular mealtimes, bedtime routines, and household rules provide a sense of security, especially during stressful times.

Encourage Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Exercise, healthy eating, and sleep have a significant effect on mood and mental focus. Everyday family activities such as evening strolls or family meals can reinforce connections and enhance emotional well-being.

Educate Yourself and Your Child

Learning about mental health dispels the stigma. With child-friendly materials, tell your child that mental health is as vital as physical health—and that asking for help is a strength.

Use Positive Reinforcement

Accepting your child's efforts and accomplishments, however minor, increases their self-esteem and resilience. Praise effort, not perfection.

When to Seek Professional Help?

Dr. Agrawal suggests that parents "trust their instincts—if something feels 'off,' it probably is." Regular pediatric check-ups are a good time to mention concerns. Pediatricians can offer initial evaluation and refer families to child psychologists or psychiatrists, as needed.

It's crucial not to wait to seek professional help. Early intervention can lessen the severity of mental illness and provide children with coping skills that last a lifetime.

Identifying and treating children's mental health is not just a parent's job—it takes a shared effort from educators, caregivers, and healthcare providers. As awareness increases in society, so must our dedication to listening, watching, and acting early.