If you are in one of the 143 designated Baby Friendly hospitals in the United States, you may have a different type of experience immediately after birth. What is it? A hospital with the designation Baby Friendly is following the recommendations put forth by World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF.  The goals of the hospital staff are to encourage and support breastfeeding in the hospital.  A secondary goal is to educate women on feeding formula safely. Why is it important? Breastmilk gives your infant important antibodies and nutrients that will help your baby reach optimal health.   It is estimated that millions of dollars are spent in the United States on preventable hospitalizations for infants and children.  The focus is on preventing disease through breastfeeding, which has been shown to decrease the number of infants and children that have complications from diarrhea, ear infections and other diseases. …

You’re not alone if you worry about having a baby with autism. It is one of the leading and fastest growing developmental disabilities in the U.S., affecting 1 in every 110 children—three times as many little boys as little girls. As a babyQ member, you will discover ways to reduce your baby’s risk of neurocognitive problems, like autism and ADHD. This is our mission and we are here to help.

So, you’re 35 or older, comfortable in your career, and getting the “itch” to have a baby? Well, there are a few things you need to consider.  Just as you have carefully planned your life thus far, particular consideration should be given to planning a baby. For the best pregnancy results, women should adopt a healthy lifestyle of eating a nutritious diet, exercising regularly and successfully managing any chronic health conditions.  Diabetes and high blood pressure are often exacerbated during pregnancy, so should be controlled as much as possible prior to and during pregnancy, by maintaining healthy habits and obtaining prenatal care. If you are overweight or obese, you should try to lose weight as excess weight is associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications.  Additionally, women trying to get pregnant should incorporate folic acid supplements into their dietary routine. To increase the chances of having a baby, women…

Many women want to breastfeed; however, disappointingly, often women find that what’s supposed to be natural and “second-nature” may not be so easy. Therefore, too often women don’t breastfeed or discontinue breastfeeding out of frustration or lack of “know-how”. To prevent this, pregnant women should educate themselves about breastfeeding by reading books and consulting a La Leche League mother’s support group to learn more about the process and resources for effective breastfeeding. Women who wish to breastfeed should alert their doctor, partner or spouse, friends and family so they can be aware and assist with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is an emotional, intellectual, and physical experience that should be shared by all that will love and care for a new baby.   Within the first weeks of pregnancy, a woman’s body physically prepares for an expectant baby by releasing hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause the breasts to enlarge…

You’re young, maybe even a little scared, but overall you are excited about this new addition but something just doesn’t seem right?  Maybe you’re gaining weight too quickly or your feet and legs appear to be swelling much more than you had expected.  Or, maybe your vision is blurry and you’re experiencing more headaches than before.  Any one of these symptoms could be a sign of Preeclampsia.  Preeclampsia occurs in 5% – 8% of all pregnancies.  This rapidly progressive condition typically occurs after your 20th week and has been known to occur up to 6 weeks after birth.  In cases where the disease has advanced rapidly, you may experience very few symptoms or may not notice anything at all.  This is why early and proper prenatal care is crucial in diagnosing and managing this disease.  You and your doctor will work together to ensure a safe and healthy delivery for…