Studies show that a mother’s affection helps babies grow into less stressed adults. New research indicates that the more love, warmth and affection a mother shows her infant, the less anxiety, hostility and general distress they will harbor as they grow into an adult. The findings are based on a research tracking 482 children from 8 months until they are at most 34 years old.

Maternal affection at a young age has a critical impact on infants’ mental and emotional health as they grow. The author of the study is Joanna Maselko of Duke University. She and her colleagues reported the observation in the online edition of Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health last July 27. Infants exposed to the least amount of affection showed a higher degree of emotional instability and insecurity as adults. On the other hand, babies showered with normal and high amounts of affection showed lower levels of anxiety, hostility and susceptibility to stress, especially those with higher amounts of affection.

Researchers conclude that early nurturing and warmth have an overall positive effect on the well-being of children as they grow up to become adults.

Source: BabyCenter.com / Photo: Picture-Baby.com

Actress Rachel Weisz is a proud mama to 4-year old Henry, who enjoys helping her maintain their coop of nine hens and one rooster at the upstate New York home she shares with fiance and director Darren Aonofsky.

The couple’s little tot has taken to urinating around the chicken coop to keep coyotes from attacking. Weisz reveals, “Apparently if human beings urinate around the perimeter of the chicken coop it keeps the coyotes at bay…they don’t like human urine.”

She goes on to say that “my son has taken on this task and he is peeing his way around this fence. He’s serious. He drinks a lot and he saves his pee for the chicken coop.”

Industrious Henry also enjoys being around the chickens, as mommy Rachel says, “He plays with the chickens, he catches them.”

Photo: Zimbio

Inspired by art from the Dutch artist Ditteke Ederveen, Dpoppen makes colorful and creative accessories for girls. Ditteke is a self-taught artist who loves to paint children. Her art works are fun using vibrant colors and whimsical designs. The brand name Dpoppen was derived from “D” from the artist’s name, and poppen which is Dutch for doll. Their line includes towel backpacks, hats and dresses. The 40″ by 70″ towel is made of terry cloth that folds comfortably into the terry cloth backpack that comes with it. The dresses, hats and towel backpacks have Ditteke’s colorful paintings on them. The designs are perfect for a day in the beach or under the summer sun, or when your girls just want that fun, sunny look at any time.

Source/Photo: dpoppen.com