Too many children being prescribed melatonin to aid sleep, experts warn

Some specialists concerned use of hormone has become a ‘fashionable treatment’ for parents who want ‘perfect children’

Step away from the parenting books – and start worrying and doubting yourself instead

Chinese tiger mothers get results, French parents teach manners and the Finns espouse self-reliance. British parents? We read books on how we’re going wrong …

Jeremy Hunt orders investigation into baby deaths at NHS trust

Health secretary asks NHS England to look into cluster of deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford trust that were deemed avoidable

Children struggling to concentrate at school due to lack of sleep, MPs told

Sleep deprivation highlighted in inquiry into role of education in preventing mental health problems in children

‘Outrageous’: expert slams White House for denying school meals’ link to learning

Author of groundbreaking study of school meals’ impact on class achievement said proposed cuts to programs reflects ‘lack of knowledge or … dishonesty’

‘I’ll go to school on two and a half hours’ sleep’: why British children aren’t sleeping

Doctors are reporting a dramatic increase in children with sleep disorders, which affect their physical and mental health. Why? Plus expert tips on a good night’s rest

Children’s sugar intake equals five doughnuts a day, campaigners say

Obesity Health Alliance calls for food and drink makers to cut ‘hidden’ sugar to curb dangerous obesity among young people

How much screen time should I let my teenager have?

A new study says that up to six hours a day is perfectly normal, and unlikely to do any harm – as long as your child is doing fine at school and getting enough exercise

By ignoring sex education, ministers are risking children’s safety

Lessons at school can protect children from online threats, but politicians would rather bury their heads in the sand

Sugar is the ‘alcohol of the child’, yet we let it dominate the breakfast table

With kids consuming half their sugar quota first thing, it’s no wonder they’re getting diabetes and liver disease. We have to fight corporate interests

Children consume half of daily sugar quota at breakfast – study

Public Health England launches barcode app after finding that under-10s consume three times the recommended limit

Having a baby? Don’t be brave – take the drugs

There’s no point in false machismo when giving birth when pain relief is so close to hand

Half of adult women in Brazil put off pregnancy by Zika virus – survey

Fifty-six per cent of women of reproductive age taking part in research say they are avoiding pregnancy over health concerns

I couldn’t last as a social worker but the children will haunt me forever

Acute stress ended my career but I’m not sorry I tried – and am in awe of the work my colleagues still do

The game improving a community’s health without them noticing

Beat the Street, designed by a GP, turns a town into a game where participants walk, cycle or run between sensors