The American Academy of Pediatrics announced that only about half of the infants in the United States are put to bed in a way that follows the best medical advice. 

Thanks to increased awareness about safe sleeping practices for babies, cases of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) have fallen by more than 50 percent in recent years. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.

If you’re a new parent, learn how to protect your baby while they slumber.

You are having frequent back pain.
Your ankles are swollen.
You're running to the bathroom every five minutes.
You can't find a comfortable position to sleep.

Yes, you're pregnant, and most likely, you feel stressed out.

Unfortunately, stress during pregnancy is not just an inconvenience—it's unhealthy for you and your baby.

The good news is that you can cope with it. Your mental well-being is as important as your physical health, so here are a few tips to help you relax during pregnancy.

"When it comes to preparing for pregnancy, birth, and life with a baby, some of the most game-changing details can be overlooked. Registries, announcements, and photoshoots are fun and are all part of the experience! But frank conversations and access to information about healthy pregnancy and options during labor and birth, as well as the realities of postpartum recovery and caring for a tiny human, can transform a frustrating and lonely experience into a connected and empowered one – something every parent and baby deserves!" - Monica Infante, Founder & President of Motherhood Matters, LLC.

Pregnancy is an exciting time in a person’s life! Many women start planning with excitement, photoshoots, registries, announcements, and baby showers. Still, these are all just part of an experience. People often forget that this is just a small brick in the whole wall. There are so many additional questions that run through the mind of a soon-to-be mom. Parents are expected to be experts almost immediately, and the information that is out there can be overwhelming. 

To vaccinate or not vaccinate? That is a debate where you will find strong opinions on both sides of the argument. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinating your child from birth through 18 years. However, depending on where you live and your child’s health, your pediatrician may recommend something different.

Welcoming a new baby is a wonderful feeling, but it also brings its own kind of challenges. With your first baby, you might have struggled to handle this little creature, whereas, on your second child’s arrival, parents have an additional worry of the reaction, adjustment, or detachment of the older one at home. 

Preeclampsia is a serious condition that affects pregnant women and their babies. Preeclampsia occurs in about 5 to 8 percent of all pregnancies.

Recent changes in diagnosis have caused even more reported cases. That’s good because early treatment increases your chances for a healthy baby. There is no cure for preeclampsia, but understanding the condition can help you seek the care you need. 

Learn more about what preeclampsia is and how to prevent and manage it.

Your new baby’s skin is so soft and smooth – no wonder you can’t stop kissing it! But there are some things you should know as a new parent when it comes to caring for your newborn’s skin. 

Your baby’s skin is delicate and has a protective covering over it when they are born. This thick, white coating is called vernix. If you’ve ever seen a baby when they are first born, then you are most likely familiar with the cheese-like layer. This coating will peel off naturally during the first week of the baby’s life. If a baby is born past their due date, it likely had peeled off while still in the womb. 

Because of the delicateness of your baby’s skin, there are a few common skin conditions that may occur during their first few months of life. Here are some of the most common and how to care for them. 

Postpartum refers to the first six-week period after childbirth. It's a beautiful time when you finally get to hold your baby, but it's also a healing period and an adjustment for mothers. As a mother, it's natural to have most of your focus on the baby, but you also need to focus on self-care.

You might have had a vaginal delivery or a C-section. You might have had an easy delivery or a complicated one. No matter your experience, your body needs to recover since it's gone through a trauma. The recovery can take months after childbirth. For most women, it takes approximately six to eight weeks. Your body will be going through a lot, and the best way to handle it is for you to rest and eat well. And don’t forget that your hormones also fluctuate, so you might feel very emotional. 

After giving birth, there are several changes that you'll notice in your body during postpartum recovery. If you had a C-section especially, you'll have more restrictions on what you can and can't do. The following are some of the things you can expect after childbirth and how you can care for yourself.