When mothers initially feed their babies, they make them lie on their laps, however, the same position may not be safe when the baby is feeding off the bottle.

It is important to feed your baby through the bottle in a semi-upright position and support their head. Do not feed them lying down, as formula or the milk from the bottle can flow into the middle ear, and cause infection. Also, unlike breast and its nipple, the bottle does not have the mechanism to ensure that milk is being overflowed. Also, in order to prevent your little ones from swallowing air as they suck, tilt the bottle so that the formula fills the neck of the bottles and covers the nipple.

How can you choose the right bottle for you?

While some babies happily drink from any bottle, some are much pickier. Yes, you read it right, babies need different bottles, based on how their bodies react after being fed.

If you have a baby with gas, it is best to try a bottle with a venting system. Now, this allows your baby to avoid air in the milk while feeding. Such bottles mimic the shape and feel of a breast or an actual nipple. Bottles with fewer parts are also easier to clean, which could be great during the middle-of-the-night feedings.

For new moms, it is also a great advice to start with a slow-flow nipple to avoid overwhelming your baby and switch to a faster flow when they seem to hold the bottle themselves and can finish milk in less time.

What should you follow when you bottle feed your baby?

As per the National Health Scheme (UK), NHS UK, it is important to be prepared to experiment well with the kind of bottles that suits your baby the best. Thee is no evidence that only one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

It is always best to ensure that you screw the top tightly into the bottle before you feed your baby.

Bottle Feeding and The Right Positions

Bottle feeding is more than just feeding and nourishing your baby, it is also an opportunity to bond with your babies. Babies also feel secure when their caregivers are feeding. This is why it is important that even before you start bottle feeding, you first find a comfortable spot to sit with your baby close to you. Look at them and gently hold the and talk as you feed.

Hold your baby in a semi-upright position during bottle feeds, with their head supported. This ensures they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Brush the teat gently against their lips, and when they open their mouth wide, let them draw the teat in.

Take your time—babies feed at their own pace, so be patient and allow them plenty of time to enjoy their meal.

Do not leave your baby un-monitored

Always supervise your baby during feeding sessions. Do not prop the bottle or leave them alone with it. This can also cause choking hazard, or the milk could pool in their mouth which could increase ear infections.

The bottle's position matters as much as baby's position. When feeding, hold the bottle in a horizontal position, tipping it slightly. This helps the milk flow steadily and reduces the amount of air your baby may swallow. If the teat flattens, gently pull the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the suction. Should the teat become blocked, replace it with a fresh, sterile one.

The gut microbiome may influence how type 1 diabetes develops in children at high genetic risk, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that children whose gut microbiome stopped developing early had about three times the risk of developing type 1 diabetes or the immune attack that precedes it, compared with those whose microbiomes continued to mature.

The findings, published in Nature Metabolism, also showed that genetics influenced how strongly some microbiome patterns were associated with disease risk.

Type 1 diabetes affects more than 9 million people worldwide, including 1.8 million children and adolescents.

"Understanding the role of microbiome development in diabetes progression could lead to early prediction and prevention strategies, giving us more options to delay or even prevent the clinical manifestation of this disease," said co-corresponding author Daniel Wang, associate scientist with the Channing Division of Network Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine.

Study Tracked Children From Early Life

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The longitudinal observational TEDDY Study followed 887 children at high genetic risk of type 1 diabetes and analyzed more than 12,000 stool samples collected during their first six years.

Participants came from Finland, Germany, Sweden and the United States.

Because the immune system can attack insulin-producing cells years before symptoms appear, researchers counted both the first detection of this immune attack and a clinical diagnosis as disease-related outcomes.

They identified three microbiome development patterns: early-matured, late-matured and early-plateaued.

Children with early-matured microbiomes developed greater bacterial diversity during their first year. Those with late-matured microbiomes started more slowly but eventually caught up.

The early-plateaued group showed slow development that failed to catch up, with low bacterial diversity persisting through the first three years.

Early Plateau Linked To Higher Risk

Children with an early-plateaued microbiome had about three times the risk of developing type 1 diabetes or its preceding immune attack.

The association was also seen when the researchers analyzed the immune stage and clinical diagnosis separately.

The finding emerged from repeated stool sampling over time, suggesting a single microbiome snapshot could have missed the association.

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Microbiome Reflected Dietary Changes

The bacterial differences also reflected how the children's microbiomes adapted as their diets changed.

In the early-matured group, bacteria shifted sooner from milk-adapted species such as Bifidobacterium toward bacteria that break down dietary fiber.

In the early-plateaued group, the microbiome remained more focused on digesting milk sugars even after solid foods were introduced and relied on a narrower range of bacterial species.

Genetics Also Played a Role

Lead author Danyue Dong, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Mass General Brigham shared that "genetic background" can also influence the risk. Dong noted that combining microbiome and genetic information gives a more accurate picture.

"By analyzing interactions between the microbiome and host genetics, we found genetic variants, particularly those involved in antimicrobial and antiviral immune responses, that shaped how strongly the late-matured pattern was related to disease risk. The early-plateaued pattern, by contrast, carried higher risk regardless of genetic background," the expert said.

What It Means for Prevention

The study was observational, so it cannot establish that microbiome changes cause type 1 diabetes. Clinical trials are needed to determine whether modifying the microbiome can reduce disease risk.

The findings also came from children already at high genetic risk, meaning they may not apply to the general population.

Researchers say future pediatric care could potentially include microbiome testing during the first years of life. However, approaches such as dietary supplements would need to prove effective in clinical trials before being used for prevention.

A baby girl who reportedly appeared healthy after being born died at just 14 months after getting afflicted with a devastating, ultra-rare genetic neurological disorder that made her incapable of moving, feeding and interacting with the world around her.

Poppy Massey was born in February 2022 with no signs or symptoms of any illness. Her mother Kaylee Massey's told PEOPLE that they began having concerns when Poppy was around four months old and her vision did not appear to be developing normally.

Further testing disclosed abnormalities in the corpus callosum, followed by diagnoses including microcephaly and cerebral visual impairment.

She eventually got diagnosed with TBCD leukodystrophy, a rare inherited disorder affecting the brain and nervous system. Poppy died on April 30, 2023.

What Is TBCD Leukodystrophy?

TBCD disorder is a rare genetic condition that affects the brain and nervous system. It is caused by changes in both copies of a gene called TBCD, which is important for the normal development and functioning of nerve cells.

A child usually inherits one faulty copy of the gene from each parent. The parents typically do not have symptoms because they carry only one altered copy.

The condition can cause severe complications in brain development, movement, muscle strength and vision. Children may grow normally at first but then start showing symptoms like developmental delays, poor muscle, difficulties in feeding and moving, seizures, vision problems and loss of skills they had acquired previously.

TBCD-related neurodegenerative disease is sometimes grouped among leukodystrophies, a group of disorders that affect the brain's white matter.

White matter contains nerve fibres covered by a protective layer called myelin, which helps electrical signals travel efficiently through the brain and nervous system.

When this system is disrupted, communication between nerve cells can become impaired, contributing to the severe neurological symptoms seen in patients.

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Babies With TBCD Leukodystrophy May Initially Appear Healthy

One of the most difficult aspects of the disorder is that neurological problems may not be obvious immediately after birth. As the child's brain develops, symptoms can become more evident.

Brain imaging can show cerebral and cerebellar atrophy, a thin corpus callosum and impaired myelination. Some children subsequently experience stunted development.

In Poppy's case, her mother told PEOPLE that her condition deteriorated rapidly after diagnosis at nine months. She eventually lost the ability to suck and feed independently, lost movement in her legs and arms.

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TBCD Is An Exceptionally Rare & Severe Disorder

The nervous system depends on organised cellular structures to develop, transport materials and communicate between neurons. Disruption of the TBCD protein can interfere with these processes during early brain development.

The disease involves brain atrophy and impaired myelination, affecting movement, development, vision, swallowing and other neurological functions.

TBCD is exceptionally rare. The TBCD Foundation says fewer than 50 diagnosed cases are known worldwide, although the true number may be higher because rare genetic disorders may largely remain undiagnosed.

Some affected children have very severe symptoms right from the onset of the disease disease, while others may survive longer. It varies depending partly on the specific genetic variants involved. Currently, there is no proven cure or treatment for TBCD disorder.

Childhood weight gain is often noticed only when a child steps on a weighing scale. But the factors influencing a child’s weight can begin much earlier, hidden in everyday habits such as sleep, screen time, meals and physical activity. With busy family schedules and increasing screen use, healthy routines can sometimes take a back seat.

Supporting healthy habits from an early age is more useful than focusing only on a child’s weight or appearance. At the same time, regular growth monitoring helps pediatricians identify children who may need additional support. Not every child who looks chubby has obesity, and children’s body shapes naturally change as they grow.

Sleep and weight

Sleep is an important part of a child’s growth and development. Children who do not get enough sleep may experience changes in appetite, mood and energy levels. A tired child may also be less interested in physical activity and more likely to spend time sitting or snacking.

A consistent bedtime routine can therefore be an important part of maintaining healthy habits. Keeping screens away before bedtime, maintaining regular sleeping hours and creating a calm sleep environment can help children develop better sleep patterns.

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The screen-time connection

Screens have become part of children’s everyday lives, whether for schoolwork, entertainment or communication. However, excessive recreational screen time can reduce the time children spend running, playing and being physically active.

Screens can also encourage mindless eating. Children watching television or playing games may snack without paying attention to hunger or fullness. Sugary drinks, packaged snacks and frequent eating in front of screens can gradually become habits.

Parents can begin with simple changes, such as keeping meals and snacks screen-free and encouraging children to take regular breaks from sitting.

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Daily routines matter

Healthy weight management in childhood is not about strict dieting. It is about creating a balanced routine. Regular meals, nutritious snacks, adequate sleep and daily movement can help children develop healthy habits without making them feel that food or their body is a problem.

Children should be encouraged to eat a variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, dairy or suitable alternatives, eggs and other sources of protein. Simple, home-cooked family meals can form the foundation of a healthy diet. Highly processed foods and sugary drinks do not need to disappear completely, but they should not become everyday staples.

Physical activity should also feel like play rather than punishment. Cycling, dancing, outdoor games, swimming, walking or simply playing with friends can help children stay active while having fun.

Parents do not need to change everything overnight. Small, consistent steps can make a difference. Set predictable meal and sleep timings, create screen-free family meals, encourage outdoor play and avoid using food as a reward or punishment.

Most importantly, avoid making children feel ashamed about their weight. Focus on health, strength, energy and healthy habits rather than appearance.

Better sleep, healthy screen habits, nutritious food and regular movement can help children build a healthier relationship with their bodies and food. When parents create healthy routines for the whole family, children are more likely to adopt them naturally and carry those habits into adulthood.