Babies’ Best Start

Having a baby has become a lot more complicated. Faced with multiple messages about what to eat, think and listen to, during and after pregnancy, it’s no surprise that mothers-to-be get confused.

Leaving old wives’ tales to one side, we take a look at current scientific research to help you decide which choices to make to give your baby the best possible start in life.

Join scientists involved in a variety of studies to talk about factors affecting expectant mothers and expected babies, from alcohol intake to immunisation. Heather Joshi describes the whys and wherefores of conducting large-scale population studies, and how the decisions we make can be informed by evidence from them. Hazel Inskip will help you figure out what exactly counts as a balanced diet for babies before and during pregnancy, whilst others discuss the roles of breast-feeding after birth. We’ll also be talking about the interplay between nature and nurture in a spot of myth-busting with psychiatrist Robert Plomin. What are the wider social factors involved in our decision-making? Can parents really determine who their offspring become?

Share your own thoughts and experiences with us, and make up your own mind.

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This event is supported by the Medical Research Council

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Helen Bedford, Institute of Child Health, University College London
David Elliman, Institute of Child Health, University College London
Lucy Griffiths, Institute of Child Health, University College London
Summer Hawkins, Institute of Child Health, University College London
Elina Hyppönen, Institute of Child Health, University College London
Hazel Inskip, Epidemiology Resource Centre, University of Southampton
Heather Joshi, Centre for Longitudinal Studies
Robert Plomin, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London

Facilitator: Suzanne Rayner, Spectrum Drama

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This event is part of Mixed Messages and Healthy Choices