Giving birth is a significant and transformative experience. Welcoming a new life into the world from within your own body is powerful and sacred. This time should be filled with love, support, and celebration! Still, when we consider the gaps in health outcomes for Black mamas, we recognize that we must create change so that they can birth as safely in the U.S. as all other women. Choose Black Joy When we center Black joy in the birthing process, it incorporates the strength, resilience, and beauty of Black mamas and families. As Healthy Mom&Baby observes Black Maternal Health Week 2024 ..read more

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of Jool Baby’s Nova Baby Infant swings due to a suffocation hazard. The swings pose a suffocation risk because they were marketed, intended, or designed for infant sleep, and they have an incline angle greater than 10 degrees in violation of the CPSC’s Infant Sleep Products Regulation and the Safe Sleep for Babies Act. In addition, the swing fails to meet mandatory warning requirements regarding sleep under the swing standard. Approximately 63,100 units have been sold in the United States. Consumer ..read more

Ready to make a big purchase, like a car? Where does your thought process begin? First, you’ll likely consider the costs and your family’s needs. Then, the benefits—is it fast? Well-made? High quality? So, what about the benefits and options of where you will give birth to your baby?  This decision certainly deserves thoughtful consideration. If you’re curious about where to start, The Leapfrog Group has got you covered. Rating Maternity Care in Hospitals The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization making giant leaps in keeping patients safe, ensuring they receive quality care ..read more

Every year in the U.S., about 3,400 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly before their first birthday. Oftentimes, this occurs when baby is asleep or resting in their sleeping area. Although rates have been stagnant and disparities for black and brown babies persist, there are still actions we can all take to protect our beloved infants and toddlers. Challenges and New Research Often baby’s caregiver is at home but perhaps not in the same room when these deaths occur. As such, many families now use cameras that monitor their sleeping infants and toddlers. A small study by researchers at the New ..read more

Maternal Health Awareness Day reminds us all about the life-saving support and advocacy needed to protect expectant mothers and birthing people. Across the globe, countless women face challenges and risks in accessing maternal healthcare. Nurses play a pivotal role in the fight to improve maternal health. Learn more about what nurses do to make a significant difference. Advocate & Educate Nurses have a unique position as advocates of women’s health and are reliable sources of information. At the bedside and in the community, nurses: Educate expectant mothers and birthing people and their ..read more

https://www.health4mom.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HMB-AI-FINAL-Why-Baby-Needs-a-Full-40-Weeks-of-Pregnancy.mp4 The post Why Baby Needs a Full 40 Weeks of Pregnancy appeared first on Healthy Mom & Baby ..read more

A baby shower is one of the most celebrated occasions next to weddings. Everyone is excited to welcome a new life into the world. Over time, these events have become more elaborate with larger-than-life decorations and more guests, as most showers are now co-ed. Here are 7 tips for hosting a fabulous baby shower. Step 1: Make Your Guest List and Set a Budget All of your family and friends are welcome to attend, right? Well, if you come from a large family or you have a huge friend circle, this may be overwhelming and expensive. If this is the case, trim your guest list by only inviting adults ..read more

Your Amazing Body Your incredible pregnant body adapts in many ways to feed and provide for your growing baby. Your placenta brings nutrition and oxygen to baby while it removes carbon dioxide and waste. You and your baby receive energy from glucose, what we often think of as “blood sugar,” carried to your body’s cells via insulin. Your pancreas produces insulin and releases it into your bloodstream; still, it doesn’t move through the placenta to baby. Your baby’s pancreas produces its own insulin. During pregnancy, your body has circulating hormones that resist the effects of insulin, which s ..read more

Many parents depend on childcare for their children as they navigate demanding careers with busy schedules. Enrollment ranges from full-time to part-time, and even “drop-ins” for families with flexible schedules. Be particular about requirements for the center that cares for your child as it becomes like a second home to them. They should feel safe and spend most of their time learning and developing. Here are 4 strategies to choose great childcare: Childcare Near Home Location, location, location. Choose a childcare facility near your home or work. It’s an added convenience in light of your c ..read more

There are endless adorable items to fulfill your vision for your baby’s nursery. We’re sharing some practical furniture pieces and accessories that should be kept in mind when decorating. Beauty, comfort,  and safety–you and your new baby can really have it all! Choosing a Crib Your baby’s crib is the primary furniture piece in the nursery. It needs to be sturdy and contain easily adjustable levers. A mini crib or bassinet may be perfect for small spaces. If your baby is growing fast, it’s likely best to purchase a full-size crib that can later be converted into a toddler bed. Although th ..read more