Dr Leila Masson

Dr Leila Masson Up-to-date research about children and health: covering my area of professional interest ranging fro

18/09/2025

Did you know that infections during pregnancy can affect a baby’s brain development?

When a mother’s immune system is activated—what researchers call Maternal Immune Activation (MIA)—inflammatory signals cross the placenta and may disrupt how the baby’s brain matures.

This can change the way the dopaminergic system (attention, motivation, emotion) develops, and can overstimulate the brain’s own immune cells (microglia) too early. That can interfere with key steps like neurogenesis, synapse building, and pruning—processes that shape a child’s future brain health.

Studies show MIA raises the risk for ADHD, Autism, and PANS, especially if the child later has a strong infection (the “second hit” that fuels neuroinflammation).

💚 What lowers the risk?

Vitamin D – reduces inflammation and supports immune balance

Zinc – vital for antiviral defence and immune regulation

Good sleep – less sleep = higher risk of infection

Whole food diet + stress reduction – calm the immune system

Supporting mothers in pregnancy is one of the most powerful ways to protect children’s long-term brain development. 🌱✨

13/09/2025

Does your child have trouble falling asleep or waking through the night? You’re not alone — sleep struggles are so common in kids today. The good news: there are safe, natural herbs that can calm the nervous system and gently support deeper, more restful sleep.

✨ Chamomile – The classic bedtime tea. Gentle, soothing, and perfect for calming anxious or overstimulated kids at the end of the day.
🌿 Theanine – An amino acid (from green tea, but caffeine-free in supplement form) that helps quiet busy thoughts, reduce bedtime worries, and improve sleep quality without grogginess.
🌸 Saffron – A powerful but lesser-known herb. It balances serotonin and supports natural melatonin production, even helping counteract blue light exposure from evening screens.

These herbs can be used as teas, powders, or herbal drops — gentle, evidence-based options to help your child unwind and get the restorative sleep their body and mind need.

Rested kids are calmer, happier, and more focused — and that means a more peaceful home for the whole family.

Comment "SLEEP" to get my top tips on ADHD and Sleep.

07/09/2025

Is your child waking up tired or congested? The air they breathe at night might be the missing piece. Poor indoor air quality can seriously impact sleep — especially for kids with asthma, allergies, or sensitive lungs.

Here’s how to make their bedroom a breathing-friendly zone:
🌬️ Air out the house every day — open windows for at least 15 minutes
🛡️ Use dust mite-proof covers on pillows, duvets & mattresses
🧺 Wash sheets weekly in hot water to reduce allergens
👃 Check for signs of mould, musty smells, or dust buildup

When the air is clean, breathing becomes easier — and that means deeper, more restful sleep for your child (and for you too).

As a paediatrician, I always remind parents: improving air quality is one of the simplest ways to support your child’s health — starting tonight.

31/08/2025

Is your child sleeping with the wrong nightlight?

Many kids ask for a nightlight to feel safe — and that’s completely okay. But what most parents don’t know is that the type of light makes a big difference to their sleep.

❌ Blue and white lights (like standard bulbs and LEDs) can suppress melatonin — the hormone that helps your child fall and stay asleep.

✅ Instead, choose a red or amber nightlight. These warmer wavelengths support natural melatonin production while still giving your child the comfort and reassurance they need.

Tip: Place the light away from your child’s face, keep it soft and indirect, and avoid lights that glow too brightly.

Choosing the right nightlight can improve your child’s sleep and lead to calmer, happier mornings. 🌙

30/08/2025

Is your child sleeping with the wrong nightlight?

Many kids ask for a nightlight to feel safe — and that’s completely okay. But what most parents don’t know is that the type of light makes a big difference to their sleep.

❌ Blue and white lights (like standard bulbs and LEDs) can suppress melatonin — the hormone that helps your child fall and stay asleep.

✅ Instead, choose a red or amber nightlight. These warmer wavelengths support natural melatonin production while still giving your child the comfort and reassurance they need.

Tip: Place the light away from your child’s face, keep it soft and indirect, and avoid lights that glow too brightly.

Type SLEEP in the comments to get my top tips on sleep and ADHD.

Choosing the right nightlight can improve your child’s sleep and lead to calmer, happier mornings. 🌙

30/08/2025

Want your child to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer? 💤
One of the most effective (and simple!) things you can do is make their bedroom a screen-free zone.

📱 Blue light from phones and tablets blocks melatonin — the sleep hormone kids need to drift off and stay asleep.
Instead of screen time before bed, try calming alternatives:
🛏️ Reading a book
🎨 Drawing or journaling
🎧 Listening to an audiobook or podcast

✨ Bonus tip: Use a TIME lockbox to store all devices overnight and make it a family habit — kids learn best by example. When you leave your phone outside the bedroom, they’re more likely to do the same.

Make bedtime sacred. Make it screen-free. 🌙

—

25/08/2025

Kids catching every cold that goes around in winter? Nature has powerful allies that can help!

🌿 Elderberry – packed with antioxidants, it helps shorten colds and supports quicker recovery.
🌿 Echinacea – a classic immune booster that activates white blood cells to fight off viruses.
🌿 Garlic – not just for flavour! It’s a natural antimicrobial that strengthens the body’s defences.
🌿 Ginger – warming, soothing, and anti-inflammatory, perfect for both immunity and digestion.

I love rotating these gentle herbs through the winter months, alongside essentials like Vitamin D and zinc, to give children extra support when classrooms are full of sniffles. Teas, drops, tinctures, or even gummies — there are lots of easy ways to add them in.

Little daily choices can make a big difference for your child’s resilience this season.

22/08/2025

Why are teenage girls more vulnerable to depression—and what does the immune system have to do with it?

A new study from King’s College London followed teens from age 14 to 18 and found that girls with higher levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a marker of inflammation, were more likely to develop anhedonia—a reduced ability to feel joy and motivation. This is one of the core symptoms of depression, yet it doesn’t always look like sadness.

Here’s the science:
🔹 Inflammation diverts tryptophan (from protein-rich foods) away from making serotonin—the “feel good” brain chemical.
🔹 Instead, it’s converted into quinolinic acid, which damages brain cells, increases anxiety, and worsens low mood.

The good news? You can shift this pathway:
✔️ Nutrient-rich foods (protein, colourful veggies, omega-3s)
✔️ Vitamin D & a healthy gut microbiome
✔️ Sleep & stress reduction

Supporting your teen’s immune health is one of the best ways to support their mental health.

17/08/2025

Kids often complain of tummy aches — and as a parent, it can be hard to know what helps. Alongside a cozy hot water bottle, these FOUR gentle herbs are my go-to for soothing sore bellies:

✨ Chamomile – Calms both digestion and anxious little minds.
🌱 Peppermint – Relieves gas, bloating & cramps by relaxing the tummy.
🌼 Fennel seeds – Eases wind and supports healthy digestion (great for babies too!).
🍋 Ginger – Warming and wonderful for nausea or general tummy upset.

These herbs can be made into teas or found as child-friendly liquid drops — safe, natural, and effective. Next time your child says, “my tummy hurts,” try these simple remedies first. 💚

These herbs can be made into teas or found as child-friendly liquid drops — safe, natural, and effective. Next time your child says, “My tummy hurts,” try these simple remedies first.

🎧 Struggling to help your child focus while studying? The right sounds can make a huge difference!🎻 Classical and baroqu...
31/07/2025

🎧 Struggling to help your child focus while studying? The right sounds can make a huge difference!

🎻 Classical and baroque music can calm the brain and boost concentration.
🎶 Want to go a step further? Try binaural beats – sound frequencies that sync the brain into a focused state. Apps like brain.fm can get kids into study mode in minutes!

Different brainwaves support different learning states:

🌀Gamma = deep focus
🌀Alpha = calm & ready to learn
🌀Beta = active problem-solving

📱 And if your child struggles to retain information, spaced repetition tools like Anki can supercharge memory with less effort.

A healthy diet does more than just fuel your child’s body — it nourishes their brain and emotions too.From nutrient-rich...
29/07/2025

A healthy diet does more than just fuel your child’s body — it nourishes their brain and emotions too.
From nutrient-rich meals to a thriving gut microbiome, what’s on their plate can help reduce anxiety, lift mood, and support focus and calm.
If your child struggles with tantrums, anxiety, or low motivation, food might be the missing link.

Being bullied is not just a temporary hardship—it can change a child’s brain structure, disrupt emotional regulation, an...
23/07/2025

Being bullied is not just a temporary hardship—it can change a child’s brain structure, disrupt emotional regulation, and trigger lifelong mental health challenges. From sleep disturbances and eating issues to anxiety, depression, and even trauma, the impact is profound.

New brain imaging studies show that bullying affects the connection between the amygdala (stress response) and the prefrontal cortex (impulse control). That’s why supporting both the child who is bullied and the child who bullies is crucial—both are at risk for long-term difficulties.

📲 In the digital age, cyberbullying adds another layer of harm, often anonymous and relentless.
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 What can you do?
• Teach your child to seek help, not suffer in silence
• Encourage schools to run whole-class anti-bullying programs
• Educate about online safety and how to block/report abuse
• Prioritise compassion, social skills & emotional resilience at home and in school

🧠 If your child has experienced bullying, trauma-informed therapy, CBT, EMDR, or expressive activities like journaling, art, or dance can be powerful healing tools. Mental health support matters. Let's raise children who know how to connect, communicate and care.

✨ Connection is the strongest predictor of lifelong happiness—even more than food or exercise. Model kindness, even in conflict. Your kids are watching.

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