3 reasons why you should consider breastfeeding

In a list of hundreds of baby-related decisions you must make, one of the biggest is to use breast milk, formula or a combination of the two. You’ll likely receive an overwhelming amount of info about breastfeeding, so we’ll try to boil it down to the basics.   Here are three reasons why breastfeeding could …

4 things that should never be in your baby’s crib

A safe crib includes a firm mattress and tightly fitted sheet. That’s it. As you design your baby’s sleep surface, give some attention to what shouldn’t be included: blankets, pillows, toys, bumper pads and other babies. Here’s why: 1) Blankets and pillows Because an infant doesn’t have the strength to move if his or her …

Mother-to-Mother changes lives in the Bootheel

  This month, Bootheel Babies & Families is very pleased to feature Melinda Sweeney, Executive Director of the Regional Health Foundation. Melinda has been an active part of Bootheel Babies & Families’ Community Steering Committee for years, and her organization’s Mother-to-Mother program is a current Grantee serving women and babies in Stoddard, Dunklin and Pemiscot …

Why you should keep your baby’s crib blanket free

Have you ever woken up to realize you’re so tangled in the comforter you can’t move? It takes a few seconds of kicking and turning before you free yourself. Now imagine you can’t kick or roll over, and the blanket is blocking your nose and mouth. You’re trapped. This is a very real possibility for …

Does secondhand smoke really hurt my baby?

No doubt, you’ve seen posters and billboards explaining how smoking while pregnant places babies at risk. Once a baby is born, the issues with smoking around him or her do not go away. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, secondhand smoke causes tens of thousands of deaths each year. Every time your infant nestles …

4 tips for tummy time

Just like adults, infants need exercise to grow stronger. The best way for your baby to develop the muscle strength and motor skills needed for sitting and crawling is by spending time on his or her stomach every day. To make the most of your infant’s tummy time, keep these tips in mind. Start with …

Preparing for your baby: Crib safety

When you are expecting a baby, it’s an exciting time. There are lots of things to think about – including where your child will sleep. Will they have their own room? Will they share a room with a sibling? Will they sleep in your room for a time? Regardless of their surroundings, it’s important that …

Choking Hazards for Children

Babies begin exploring the world first with their eyes, then with their hands. Often, their little hands go straight to their mouths. It’s a wonder to watch. But, as soon as your baby can pick up things with their fingers, they are at risk of putting things in their mouths that can cause them to …

Fighting Infant Mortality in Southeast Missouri

September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month Sikeston, Mo. – Babies born in under-developed countries like Cuba, Romania, Tonga or Botswana have a better chance of surviving their first year of life than those born in Missouri’s Bootheel. That’s the basis of an ongoing outreach initiative aimed at reducing infant death in six Bootheel counties, …