Take Care of Yourself! Everybody tells us to do that after having a baby, but who has the time? Babies take a lot of energy, most of our time, and do they ever sleep?? Taking care of yourself during these first few months with a newborn may seem like a low priority, but it’s not. …
Why Smoking During Pregnancy is Not Safe
Question: Do you know what the most commonly used substance during pregnancy is? Answer: Nicotine. If you are pregnant and still smoking, here are a few reasons why you should try to quit: Smoking during pregnancy can cause tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly in the lungs and brain. Some studies suggest a link …
WHEN YOUR BABY CAN’T TELL NIGHT FROM DAY
Humans are diurnal creatures, which means we are healthiest when we are awake during daylight and asleep when it’s dark. Somehow, newborns don’t always get the message; their circadian rhythms are immature during the first few months of life. It may take two to four months for this to develop, and during that time, they are …
5 little-known habits that endanger your baby
Accidental death related to unsafe sleep habits is the No. 1 cause of infant mortality in Missouri’s Bootheel. But it’s not just remembering to place your baby on his or her back to sleep or ensuring that your baby’s crib or sleep space meets current safety guidelines (both of which are very important). We know …
How you can help save lives
This September (like every September) is Infant Mortality Awareness Month – a time for us to shine a spotlight on the issue we’re passionate about every day. Infant mortality is a devastating problem in the Bootheel, with more than 140 babies from six Missouri counties (Dunklin, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Scott and Stoddard) lost in …
The Bootheel Opioid Crisis Affects Moms and Babies
The Bootheel of Missouri is in the epicenter of a region with the highest opioid prescription rates in America (see 2016 CDC figure below). While rates have improved recently, over 210 million prescriptions for opioids are filled in the USA annually, with 2% of Americans using opioids “regularly”. Most women in our region receive excellent …
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 …
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, …
How infant mortality affects you
Since 2009, 135 babies have died in six Bootheel counties in Missouri. That’s 135 children who never got to celebrate their first birthday or attend their first day of kindergarten. Hundreds of families will forever have a hole in their lives, and entire communities are affected by the impact of infant mortality – including YOU. …
The baby name game
Are you having trouble finding the perfect name for your soon-to-arrive baby? Check out the 25 most popular baby names of 2017 so far, collected by www.babycenter.com, along with our tips for choosing the perfect name for your little one: GIRLS: Emma Olivia Ava Isabella Sophia Mia Charlotte Amelia Harper Aria Ella Emily Abigail Madison …