There's a fascinating new parenting study out that caught our eye at The Chart.  It involves the sleep habits of babies and toddlers. Research suggests if mom is depressed, she's more likely to wake her baby up in the middle of the night, even if the baby is fine.  Experts say if that happens occasionally, it's not a problem. But if it happens often, it can lead to developmental issues. In the study, published in the journal  Child Development, researchers at Pennsylvania State University observed 45 families over the course of a week.  The children ranged in age from 1 month to 2 years.  Moms were asked questions about a variety of issues from how they were doing emotionally to the baby's sleep patterns. Cameras were also installed to watch how the moms interacted with their babies in the middle of the night. Here's what they found:  Moms who had higher levels of symptoms of depression were more likely to respond to minor sounds, wake their baby up and nurse them (even if they weren't hungry) or pick their sleeping child up and put them in bed with them. It can be a vicious cycle. "The more sleep you lose, the more likely you are to feel depressed," says lead author Douglas M. Teti, a professor of human development, psychology and pediatrics at Pennsylvania State University. Related story: Marital strife affects toddlers' sleep But before you blame the moms, Teti is quick to point out there are many other things at play, including family dynamics. "What happens at night with the baby is a function of other things," he says.  Martial strife may be one of the issues .  If things aren't great with dad,  "moms may want the contact comfort and the emotional security," says Teti. But for that comfort and security, other things may be sacrificed. Studies have found children who consistently don't get a good night's sleep have a harder time regulating their emotions.  (Makes sense.  As any parent will tell you, there are few things worse than a cranky toddler.) And moms (and dads for that matter) who don't get a good night's rest may be less sensitive to their child's needs and they may not set proper limits.  (Raise your hand if you've ever let your child watch an extra half hour of TV so you can crash on the couch.) A consistent lack of sleep can make it hard for kids to bond with their parents – and the wider world. Filed under: Depression , Mental Health , Parenting , Relationships , Women’s Health Tagged: Jennifer Bixler – CNN Medical Executive Producer

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar! By Shawn Johnson Shawn Johnson is blogging for espnW throughout her training for the Olympics in London this summer. Follow her journey and other Olympic hopefuls on espnW.com . Say “camp” to an ordinary kid and she’ll probably tell you about bonfires and sing-alongs and arts and crafts. Say it to an elite gymnast, and she’ll tell you camp is every four weeks outside New Waverly , Texas, at “the ranch” – the national team training center. Shawn Johnson in the Driver’s Seat The ranch is a lot different than it sounds. Yes, there are animals (camels, peacocks and lots of deer!), but it’s also fully equipped with multiple gyms, a row of cabins for gymnasts, a separate row for their coaches and dining facilities. It’s an honor to be asked to attend the national team camps, but spending a few days there is also really hard work, especially for a slightly older body like mine. I’m used to it, though – after all, I’ve been going to camp since I was 12 years old, and I’m now 20. When we’re there, we wake up around 6:45 a.m. and head straight for breakfast. Most of the girls grab eggs and coffee before we go back to our cabins and get ready to hit the gym. National team coordinator Martha Karolyi has an unwritten rule: If you’re not 30 minutes early to practice, you’re late. So although practice starts at 8:30, we all get there at 8. We get heat packs, get taped and do whatever we need to get ready, then sit in a loose circle on the floor and wait. At 8:30 on the dot, Martha walks out of the office. It’s a signal – we stand up, line up and address her. She gives our assignments for the day, and we start practice. My last camp, three weeks ago, was just a check-in for me. I’m not competition-ready yet, but it was good to be in the gym, working alongside all of the other girls. I’m impressed by them all, but I try not to watch too much because it makes me nervous. I don’t want to compare myself to them yet; because of my knee injury and rehab, I’m not where they are right now. Shawn Johnson Rehabbing, Eyeing London Read on for more of a day in the life of Shawn Johnson at training camp.

There may be fewer cases of the flu than normal this year , but that doesn’t mean that a lot of us aren’t getting sick. And feeling run-down can throw a wrench in our workout plans, not to mention keep you up all night. If you’ve been battling sickness, feeling exhausted, or just too busy, your sleep and exercise routines have both probably taken a beating. And while having a regular workout routine is important if you are trying to lose weight or stay healthy, so is getting enough sleep – lack of sleep can lead to weight gain and lead to a never-ending cycle of exhaustion. So when the weekend rolls around and you haven’t been your usual well-rested, productive self, what’s your priority: sleep or exercise? Would You Rather Catch Up on Sleep or Exercise? Sleep Exercise

Barbecues are the motherland of grilled meats – burgers and sausages reign supreme – meanwhile vegetarians get stuck with a heaping plate of potato salad. While frozen veggie burgers have their place, make one of our tasty homemade mains instead. Each dish is suited for backyard barbecuing, meaning your veggie friends won’t miss out on the smoky umami flavor that grilling does so well. View Slideshow ›

July means the Summer heat reaches its peak, and big, juicy watermelons pile high outside grocery stores. You’ll want to stock up on this powerful melon after you’re briefed on its abundant nutrients and have viewed these five inspired watermelon recipes. Prepare to feast succulently. View Slideshow ›

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape , here on FitSugar. Wondering why you might be hitting a fitness plateau? Here are five common fitness faux pas, and the solutions to fix them! View Slideshow ›

Scream 4 actress Emma Roberts opened up to Women’s Health about her workout of choice – pole dancing! Emma is on the April cover. “I started taking [pole dancing] classes with friends as a way to both work out and hang out. You don’t realize how much upper-body strength you need. It’s also a good way to build confidence.” Emma isn’t the only actress to stay in shape by pole dancing – Amy Adams , Kate Hudson , and Teri Hatcher have all been known to frequent Shelia Kelley’s S-Factor classes in Los Angeles. The workout helps tone muscles, firm the body, increase flexibility, promote weight loss, and elevate energy levels. It also helps women cultivate sensuality, self-confidence, and a positive body image.

FitSugar reader aprilmelissa12 needs some advice on cold weather gear and posed this question in our RunningSugar community group . Share your advice in the comments section below. I’m new to running and I’m trying to figure out what gear I need for cold weather running. I live in San Francisco, which has a somewhat temperate winter. No snow, but we still need to turn the heat on (especially at night, yeesh). Do I need base layers and outer shells, etc. (I’m a novice when it comes to runner’s gear as well)? Are some fabrics better than others? Are there brands you prefer? Thank you, thank you everyone. I appreciate your thoughts. Please share your tips and advice in the comments section below. Have a burning running or health-related question? Then join our RunningSugar community group or FitSugar Q and A group and ask the community for help. Source: Flickr user mysza831

Also: ProPublica probes pharma payments to physicians; Justice Department targets Michigan’s Blue Cross Blue Shield; med tech M&A deals.