In Brief

By Lisa McLaughlin

SMART PARENTING Offspring magazine hits newsstands this month. Unusually targeted at both mothers and fathers, this new publication aims to reflect the realities of parenting today--how to pick a preschool, how to choose a college and all the many challenges in between. Rather than focusing simply on developmental issues of a child's first few years, like many other parenting magazines, Offspring is tackling a broad spectrum of issues concerning kids (and parents) of all ages in a smart and hip way.

EATING TOGETHER It has long been known that eating together as a family is important for the emotional and social development of children. But a recent study by Harvard Medical School has shown that children who eat with their parents are also healthier than those left to fend for themselves foodwise. When kids are allowed to eat on their own, they eat less of their fruits and vegetables, missing out on vital nutrients needed for growth and the development of the nervous system. They are also more likely to fill up on junk food, possibly putting themselves at risk of developing cancer and heart disease later in life.

LACTATION AID When it's 2 a.m. and the baby just won't nurse, more and more new parents are turning to the Web. At Breastfeeding.com mothers can log on for 24-hour advice and up-to-date information. Organized and staffed by mothers, doctors and lactation experts, the site is one of the fastest-growing health websites. Women with specific nursing problems can seek advice from experts, and new moms who are having trouble getting started can obtain an online referral to a lactation consultant in their area--information that is often not readily available from their hospital or doctor.

--By Lisa McLaughlin