This is a selection of recent popular blogs from Mum Mum, where parents can find information on everything to do with babies and parenting with an emphasis on health and nutrition. Antibiotics Prevent Fluid Buildup In Childrens Ear Infections When a baby is suffering with an earache, is can leave a parent feeling helpless. While a variety of earache treatments are available, Mum Mums reports that getting a prescription for antibiotics may not provide the relief that parents seek. A recent study revealed that antibiotics did not decrease the fluid build up ascciciated with middle ear infections in infant's ears. By conducting a meta-analysis of all previous studies related to treating ear infections in children, researchers reviewed data from 1, 328 children aged 6 months to 12 years. Approximately half of the children involved in the research took prescribed antibiotic therapry, yet the medication did prevent fluid build up . Otitus media, or middle ear infections , can lead to fluid accumulation in the ear cause more acute symptoms. Chronic fluid build up can lead to hearing loss and developmental problems. A recent New York Times article explains that 80-90% of bacterial ear infections clear up on their own. University of Haifa Study Finds Relations with Parents Can Effect Womens Bonding with Their Own Kids There has been alot of information in the press lately regarding how a healthy parent-child bond can affect the child's future development. Many factors can determine just how the special bond between mother and baby develops. As the post explains, a mother's perception of her relationship with her own parents can play a crucial role in a mother's bond with her new baby. A new study by the university of Haifa looked at the emotions, thoughts, and expectations of 160 expecting Jewish women who were currently living with their spouse or partner. The study revealed that if an expecting mother viewed her childhood relationship with her parents as stable, they are more likely to have less trouble shifting into the role of mother. On the other hand, women who deny or surpress any negative experiences during early childhood relationships expect less warm relationship with their baby when compared with other women in the study. In addition, women who sought to set and reach goals saw their impending motherhood in a much more positive light. Women who were motivated by fear of failure and concerned with self-preservation viewed their role as mother much more negatively. The researchers hope this study will encourage expecting mothers to evaluate their thoughts and emotions during pregnancy so that they may seek the help and tools they need to have a smooth transition to motherhood. University of Oxford Study Discovers Possible Brain Basis For Parental Instincts Like many parents, you may be wondering: where do parental instincts come from? How is it that from the moment we first see our new born baby, we are overwhelmed the impulse to care for and protect them? Darwin first theorized the reason for our species survival is an undiscovered mechanism that triggers us to care when an infant is present. Mum Mums discusses a recent study that may have found a biological basis for Darwins theory. The study, conducted by the University of Oxford and funded by the Wellcome Trust and TrygFonden Charitable Foundation, may have discovered the area of the human brain responsible for parental instinct. The medial orbitofrontal cortex is highly active within a seventh of second in response to an infants face, but to the face of an adult. A neuro-imaging method entitled magnetoencephalography (MEG) was used and measures whole brain activity in both milliseconds and millimeters. The authors discovered a distinct difference in the brain activity of the adults in the study when they viewed the face of an infant versus the face of an adult. Responses to an infants face were too fast to be conscience, therefore may be instinctual. This region of brain is close to the location in the brain where humans process depression. Researchers feel this study may provide insight into how depression can affect parenting skills, but much more research is needed. About The Mum-Mum Blog The Baby Mum Mum Blog discusses everything to do with Babies and Parenting with a focus on Health, Nutrition and Infant Development. Baby Mum Mum is a healthy, easy to digest baby rice snack that is enjoyed by babies and moms around the world for its portability, gluten free ingredients and great taste. Baby Mum Mum is a division of Want Want Holdings, a manufacturer of healthy snack foods, beverage and related products since 1962.