A new study suggests that children under three who use devices with touchscreens may miss out on some sleep. Every hour spent using a touchscreen per day was linked to 15 minutes less sleep, and notably less night sleep and more daytime sleep. Seventy-five percent of the toddlers used a touchscreen on a daily basis, with 51% of those between six and 11 months using one, and 92% of those between 25 and 36 months doing so as well. Researchers say that the data around children and touch screens is not definitive enough for recommendations to parents, but that following AAP guidelines around screen time and avoiding screens in the hour before bedtime is reasonable. ACTION: Make a media plan for your family!

"Mom brain" may actually be a sign of neurological changes that foster a deeper bond between mother and baby, according to a   new study in Nature Neuroscience . Prior research has suggested the pregnant brain may have moments of forgetfulness, especially  when it comes to verbal information , during the last trimester. In the study, pregnant women's brains lost a significant amount of gray matter in a pattern associated with "synaptic pruning," during which the brain becomes more efficient. The biggest changes were in the cerebral cortex - key to processing relationships with other people - which may help mothers more accurately assess their infant's emotional states and meet their needs. Two years later, these changes remained in place, suggesting they may be permanent. There were no similar changes in the brains of first-time fathers or childless men and women. In fact, the pattern was so distinctive that it could be used to tell whether a woman had ever given birth.

If children who are currently sedentary started exercising daily , the United States could save more than $120 billion every year in health care and associated expenses, according to a new study . More than two-thirds of children in the United States rarely exercise at all, with health consequences including higher risk for childhood obesity, Type 2 diabetes and other health problems in children as young as 6 years. Using as much public data as is currently available about the health, weight and physical activity patterns of all 31.7 million American children now aged 8 to 11,  computerized modeling  simulated the growth of the children using estimations of calorie intake and activity patterns. Most became increasingly overweight, hadrisk of health problems - and resulting health care costs. Altering levels of exercise in the simulation changed the outcomes drastically, as well as the predicted expenses. 

Women often forget to take care of themselves, while they prioritize care for others. An initiative of HHS Office on Women's Health  this week serves as a time to encourage women to prioritize and take steps to improve their health. ACTION: Take care of yourself by visiting a doctor or nurse for a well-woman visit (checkup) and  preventive screenings , getting active , eating healthy , paying attention to  mental health , getting enough sleep, and managing stress. Spread the word through your social media with  easy-to-use resources and the #NWHW hashtag.

The Center for the Study of Social Policy's (CSSP) newest report, Changing Systems & Practices to Improve the Lives of Young Fathers, Their Children and Their Families , highlights the need to support young fathers by providing recommendations for child welfare system policy and practice change. Research shows that the father-child relationship is essential to the well-being of families and the healthy development of children. Yet engaging young fathers under age 26, particularly those involved with child welfare systems, gets little attention. The recommendations suggest how systems can better focus on father involvement to increase positive outcomes for fathers, children and families. In addition, CSSP's new video,  Effectively Engaging Young Fathers in Child Welfare , highlights the voices of three young fathers who share their lived experiences and suggest how child welfare system leaders can strengthen father engagement.

The average child in the United States now consumes over half of her body weight in sugar every year. Some populations experience higher rates of oral disease than the general population. About half of all Latino children in the United States have experienced cavities; this decay rate is rising, at least in Washington state, in part due to sugary beverage consumption. As part of The Mighty Mouth campaign , Washington Dental Service Foundation, UC San Francisco, and University of Washington recently developed a two-minute animated video that explains in plain language the benefits of drinking water to keep our bodies - including our mouths - healthier, available in English and Spanish . Questions? Contact  Laura Flores , WDS Foundation.