Any parent who’s been through the trials of potty training knows all too well what it takes to successfully get your toddler out of diapers (mainly lots of patience, stickers and maybe some M&Ms). But screening TV shows or playing video games? That’s the idea behind a new product called iPotty -- hitting the market March 1 -- a potty chair with a built-in stand to hold a tablet computer. Apparently, even today’s toddlers need to be digitally plugged in at all times!
In other news:
Boost baby’s IQ: Looking to turn your offspring into a budding Einstein? Turns out there are a few practical steps you can take to potentially bump up your baby’s IQ by 10 points or more. According to a new report that evaluated previous studies on a variety of brain-boosting interventions, there are three key things you can do to give your child an intellectual leg up. First, a diet rich in Omega 3s (both for you while you’re pregnant and for your newborn) can increase intelligence by helping to build nerve cells in the brain. Also, engaging with your child by reading can improve language development. Third, sending your child to preschool may also provide give him or her an IQ boost.
Read more on MSN Healthy Living: 10 ways to make your kid smarter
Good for teeth, bad for brains? An analysis of 27 studies published over the past 22 years has concluded that fluoridated water -- which has been added to the water supply in most places for decades to help curb tooth decay -- could be harming intelligence. The researchers reported that children who live in areas that have highly fluoridated water have “significantly lower” IQ scores than kids who live in places where the water contains less fluoride. That’s food (or, more accurately, drink) for thought.
Read more on MSN Healthy Living: How to keep kids' teeth healthy
Car-seat smarts: Buying a car seat can be a confusing project, but getting the right one is essential for your child’s safety. A new app (available for Android and Apple devices) created by the American Academy of Pediatrics can help streamline the process. Just enter your child’s age, height and weight to get recommendations and review seats by price. The app also includes a wealth of safety information -- such as instructional installation videos, up-to-date product recalls, and listings of local installation technicians who can help you get the seat into your car properly.
Read more on MSN Healthy Living: How to choose a safe car seat
