New parents and expectant parents often ask me about the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). SIDS is still the leading cause of death for infants between the ages of 1 month and 1 year, but education and control of environmental factors have helped reduce SIDS deaths in the US steadily for decades (the risk is now approximately 1 in 2000 according to the National Institutes of Health). But we still want to do all we can to protect…
It’s already been demonstrated by studies that paid maternity leave in affluent countries has benefits including reduced neonatal and infant mortality. Previous research has also demonstrated that paid maternity leave has been connected to improved outcomes for mothers and babies including lower rates of postpartum depression, more successful breastfeeding, and higher compliance with routine checkups and immunizations for baby. A new study examined effects of paid maternity leave in middle to low income countries. They found that there, too, paid maternity…