Mum-Mum Blog

Theories have long swirled about causation of allergies and immune system development.  One of particular interest in the Hygiene Hypothesis- that lack of exposure to microorganisms in early childhood can increase the susceptibility of allergies by suppressing the natural development of the immune system.  In short, without exposure to bugs, our immune system can’t build up its defenses.  A new study found the answer to this quandary may be in the dirt.

Read more…

Just about every baby has an upset tummy, gas, indigestion, or spits up from time to time.  Yet when spitting up becomes more frequent, or is accompanied by irritability or unexplained crying, doctors often reach for their prescription pads.  When acid-suppressing drugs, used for treating gastrointestinal reflux disorder or GERD, are given to otherwise healthy infants a recent study may have doctors putting down their pens.

Read more…

A trip down the baby food and product isle these days can leave any mum feeling confused.  There are an overwhelming number of options, which is coupled by the overwhelming amount of conflicting information as to what to feed your baby.  It is clear, at Mum Mum’s we are partial to rice so it is about time to answer the burning question: why rice?

Read more…

While the health benefits of breastfeeding are innumerous, many women still do not breastfeed out of fear of some old wives tales- like lack of sleep.  It has been said, although previously unsubstantiated, that breastfed babies wake up more often in the night.  A recent study just put that rumor to the test only to find little evidence to support that myth in the long run.

Read more…

Halloween in upon us, and while dressing up in costumes is lots of fun, Halloween for many also means a whole lot of candy lying around the house.  While clever parents may be able to dispose of some candy, clever kids may also go on the lookout for that candy.  A recent study found that parents should be careful, as kids and teachers alike had a hard time disguising candy from medicine.

Read more…

From food to environmental allergies, as many as 1 in four European children have allergies and United States kids don’t fare much better.  A recent study goes as far as to say that allergies are the non-infectious epidemic of the 21^st century.  Keeping this mind, researchers seek to find what factors influence a child’s allergies.

Read more…

Wondering what to do with all those pumpkins, especially if you’re having a Green Halloween?  This month’s gluten free recipe utilizes fresh pumpkin in some warm pumpkin soup so those jack-o-lanterns won’t have to go to waste.   

Read more…

Thinking about a green Halloween? Green isn’t necessarily the color that comes to mind this time of year, but the thought of all those Halloween party products and excess waste may have you wondering how your family can enjoy the festivities without harming the environment.   Lucky for us, there is a website dedicated to greener days called Green Halloween.  Check out some top tips from Green Halloween for earth-friendly fun:

Read more…

Following on the heels of the recently reported study that found that kids are consuming high calorie, high sodium meals for lunch, comes another study that might offer a plausible explanation.   While parents may gravitate towards foods that are familiar to their kids, the new study explains that this very familiarity is how a child predicts their satiety.

Read more…

Oh the wonders of product placement.  Little known to most consumers, there is a strategic reason for the location of most foods on grocery store shelves, eye level in vending machines, and of course those convenience foods that catch kids’ eyes (and hands) while you’re waiting in the checkout line.  As recently reported, kids are eating high calorie fast food largely out of convenience, but what if apples or oranges were just as easy to grab and go?  A new study discovered even produce can fair better with proper product placement.

Read more…