Could there be bird flu in your milk?

TOP OF MIND

1 in 5 milk samples test positive for bird flu
Congrats, parents. You survived peak cold & flu season! This typically means a much-needed reprieve during the summer, but sadly, there's a new virus threatening to ruin everything.

An outbreak of bird flu is currently infecting dairy cows across the country. At least 46 herds across nine U.S. states have been impacted. The good news is that bird flu viruses like H5N1 rarely jump from animal to human, although there has been one probable case of cow-to-human transmission this year.

Since this outbreak is impacting dairy cows, scientists decided to test random milk samples to see if the virus was present. They found that 1 in 5 commercial milk samples contained traces of bird flu.

But according to the experts, you shouldn't panic!

The important bits
Experts say parents shouldn't worry about giving their kids milk because the pasteurization process kills off the virus and other potential pathogens. The bird flu fragments detected in commercial milk were dead virus remnants that were destroyed by the process.

The FDA also tested samples of powdered infant formula, but thankfully, the virus was not found.

And while Dr. Handel is probably right, this might be a good time to remind you that kids (especially as they age) don't require dairy milk for their health. The dairy industry has done a masterful job of making us think our bones will crumble if we don't consume milk, but the truth is… they won’t.

However, if you aren't willing to give up on cow's milk just yet, please stick to pasteurized milk! 

According to some recent reports, sales of raw milk have increased by as much as 21% in recent weeks, which has health officials worried.

What's it all mean?
The milk you buy at the supermarket is likely still 100% safe to drink, but if you prefer to play it safe, you can do so with one of the many non-dairy milk options out there.

DID YOU HEAR

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The 2023 list of top baby names was just released, and baby name experts are freaking out over the rise of Mateo. The name made it into the boys' top 10 list for the first time and is now the sixth most popular boys' name. In 2022, it was at number 11, and according to the experts, it's not often you see a jump like that to the top of the charts. Check out the full list here.

🫠 Child care is now more expensive than rent
You're probably tired of hearing about how expensive child care is, but this new report is pretty shocking. According to new statistics from the nonprofit Child Care and Aware of America, in some U.S. states, child care costs are twice as much as rent for families with more than one kid. Read all about it here.

🦸‍♀️ Never fear, parent is here!
It's already established that kids who grow up in more stable environments are less likely to develop anxiety and other emotional problems, but new research suggests simply being around your child might be enough. This study proposes a parent’s presence, alone, throughout adolescence, can help kids feel safer when experiencing fear-inducing events, leaving them more empowered to face them on their own as they age.

📚 The 25 greatest kids books of all time
According to Forbes, the number one best children’s book is Little House on the Prairie. They say it's perfect for readers between the ages of 6 and 11 who are curious about what life was like over a century ago. For younger reads? The classic Goodnight Moon comes out on top. Have you read any of them?

🫣 This Hollywood star admits pregnancy had an unexpected side effect
And you'll probably never guess what it was.

A DOSE OF GOOD

@sobrizzle

If the @Four Seasons Hotels is looking for a baby ambassador my niece got you 😂🤣😂🤣😂

BITES WITH KIYAH

Advice (for anything, really, but especially for helping you achieve your health and wellness goals) is only going to be useful if it aligns with your values.

Why? Watch for a specific example.

kiyahduffey

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Kiyah is the co-founder of Kizingo Kids and an expert in nutrition. Follow her on Instagram.

MEMORIAL DAY DEALS HAVE ALREADY STARTED

Memorial Day is still a week away, but Amazon has already started pumping out some massive sales. We looked and found a few of the best deals:

• Prepare for the summer with the Ninja Creami, the best homemade frozen treat maker on the market. You can make ice cream, milkshakes, frozen drinks and more. It's pretty dang cool.

• The highly-rated Little Green portable carpet/upholstery cleaner is currently 20% off. You can get it for under $100!

• This REVLON One-Step Volumizer Plus 2.0 Hair Dryer is nearly 50% off for a limited time.

PARENTING WIN/FAIL

This week, loyal reader Travis D. explains why the front seat is now off limits...

Finally, the box of junk in the garage comes in handy! Well done, Travis.

HERE’S A QUESTION

Last week, we asked you how you felt about arming teachers, and around 60% of you said "not a fan" while "it's a great idea" and "I'm okay with it, but not as solution to school shootings" tied in second place.

RECALLS

NEARLY ONE MILLION YOGI TEA BAGS

Before you sip on that cup of tea, you might want to check the brand. More than 54,000 boxes of Yogi tea have been recalled after the FDA discovered they contained elevated levels of pesticide residues.

The tea was sold in stores across the U.S. in boxes of 16 bags, with either four or six packs.

If you're worried about your tea, check the box to see if it contains UPC number: 0 76950 45010 3. CASE GTIN: 20076950450107.

You can find out more information here.