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In 2010, the U.S. made breastfeeding a national health improvement priority by identifying eight key breastfeeding objectives in the Healthy People 2020 goals, a ten-year agenda for promoting national health. And while we’ve made significant improvements as a nation (surpassing five of the eight breastfeeding objectives), there is still considerable progress needed to help more…
Every year, thousands of babies die from sleep-related causes. These deaths reflect an urgent need to help families understand safe sleep practices, but nearly half of caregivers don’t receive correct advice about safe sleep from their healthcare providers. The National Action Partnership to Promote Safe Sleep Improvement and Innovation Network (NAPPSS-IIN), funded by the Health Resources…
Until recently, sickle cell disease (SCD)—the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States—was primarily considered a pediatric disease, with most children not surviving into adulthood. That’s changed over the last two decades, thanks to innovative advancements in care and treatment. But even as these advancements have helped more children reach adulthood, health systems…
Nearly 25 percent of young children in the U.S. are at risk for developmental delays. If not identified, these delays can hinder their ability to perform well in school, develop meaningful relationships, and reach their full potential. Universal developmental screenings can proactively identify children who are at risk of having or developing a delay so they’re…
Babies born in the United States have a higher chance of death than babies born in more than 50 other countries in the world. Through national and local initiatives, infant mortality rates have dropped in recent years, and quality improvement efforts across the country are building on those successes to address this alarming statistic. To…
Elaine DeaKyne was excited about her first pregnancy and, physically, she sailed through it without complications. Looking back, she recalls feeling anxiety during her third trimester, but she didn’t bring it up with her doctors because, as she says, “I didn’t know it was something I should talk about.” Her anxiety heightened after her daughter…
In the earliest years of life, a baby’s environment and experiences directly impact the rapidly developing brain, shaping the brain architecture itself. Research shows that strong parent-child relationships during those early years not only foster healthy brain development, but also protect the brain against the harmful effects of toxic stress that might arise from adverse…
Families in rural communities across the country face unique barriers to supporting their children’s developmental health and well-being. A shortage of healthcare professionals living nearby and high numbers of uninsured families make it difficult for rural families to access and afford quality care and supportive services during early childhood. Developmental screenings are an important gateway…
Swaddling babies snuggly in a blanket mimics the confines of the womb and can comfort babies and promote sleep. That’s why swaddling has been a popular practice for generations and is commonplace in hospitals and homes across the country. But in recent years, health professionals have questioned how safe swaddling is for babies while sleeping….
While sleep-related infant deaths are a public health issue across population groups, marked racial disparities exist: American Indian, Alaskan Native and non-Hispanic black babies are most likely to die from sleep-related causes, and face the highest rates of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). Eliminating these disparities requires doing more to raise awareness about infant safe…