This week the AAP released a new policy statement urging pediatricians to “incorporate recognition and management of perinatal depression into pediatric practice” because research suggests about 50% of moms who are depressed during and after pregnancy now are going undiagnosed. A mother may not be a pediatrician’s patient, but if a pediatrician notices that a mom seems to be struggling, helping her is obviously helping the baby, too. Dr. Marian Earls, the lead author of the report, explains in an AAP media release : “When we are able to help a mother deal with her mental health, we are essentially reaching the whole family.”Earls’ colleague, Dr. Jason Rafferty, says the idea is that by helping moms, pediatricians are proactively caring for the child’s health, too.“We know that postpartum depression can be a form of toxic stress that can affect an infant’s brain development and cause problems with family relationships, breastfeeding and the child’s medical treatment,” he explains .
Prenatal depression impacts way more mothers than people realize, as Motherly previously reported . It’s estimated more than 400,000 babies are born to depressed mothers each year. In addition, about one in nine new moms in America experience postpartum depression symptoms, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As Licensed Master Social Worker Erin Barbossa previously told Motherly, too many mothers have been going undiagnosed or untreated for too long.“From my perspective, unfortunately, our medical system really lacks putting the mental health lens on unless symptoms are really severe,” she explained. “We tend to focus on the physical symptoms related to the health of the baby, and if all of those check out, all is good enough.” The AAP’s new guidelines seek to change that, by suggesting mothers get screened for depression once during pregnancy and then again during the baby’s appointments at 1, 2, 4 and 6 months old. The doctors behind the report say more work needs to be done to support parents suffering from depression and in reducing the stigma associated with mental illness, but screening new mothers is a step in the right direction, and could change the lives of entire families.
The Postpartum Care in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PeliCaN) model brings doulas and nurse-midwives directly into the NICU, helping mothers access the care they urgently need without leaving their baby’s side.
You already make intelligent choices all day. These quick, low-lift money moves help you feel more in control, lower financial stress and keep family goals on track.
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Your body completed a complex, whole-body event. Treating rest like a prescription, not an afterthought, protects healing, mental health and long-term well-being for you and your baby.
Surrogates say the best journeys are built on clarity, respect and real support. Here is what they want you to know before you match, so everyone feels seen and protected.
Marking the day your family legally or practically came together can be more than a sweet tradition. Done thoughtfully, an adoption anniversary can build identity, strengthen attachment and honor every person in your child’s story.
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Birth has a way of stripping life down to the essentials. Between contractions and choices, labor can reveal a kind of courage that is quieter than grit and steadier than hype, the kind you carry into motherhood long after delivery day.
When you are the one everyone calls for rides, rent and reassurance, it can feel like love and pressure at the same time. Here is what the data says about the growing squeeze on families and a practical plan to protect your well-being while you care for the people you love.
When the budget stretches thin, the to-do list gets heavier. Here is why financial strain and the mental load show up together for moms, and what actually helps.
Your inner circle often shifts when you are expecting. Here is why it happens, what it means for your well-being, and simple ways to keep the people you love close.
Nausea, secrecy, and milestone waiting can stretch early pregnancy into slow motion. Then one ultrasound, a small bump, and suddenly it is gone. Here is the science behind the time warp, plus gentle ways to steady yourself.
Your body did something extraordinary. You do not need to rewind it. Here is a gentler, truer way to measure progress after birth, with real talk and research that respects every path.
Weaning is a real goodbye, not just a feeding change. Here’s what’s happening in your body and heart, how to tell if you need extra support, and gentle ways to mark this transition.
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Gestational surrogacy is never a solo act. The medical, legal, and emotional layers are real, which is exactly why building your village early protects the gestational carrier, the baby, and you.
Adoption does not just add a child to your home, it rebuilds your family’s story, routines, and relationships. Here is what changes, why it is normal, and how to navigate it with care, clarity, and support.
Bonding is not a single golden hour, and a C-section does not put you behind. With the right support, connection grows skin-to-skin, eye-to-eye, and day by day—no matter how your baby was born.
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Your body heals after birth, yes. Your sense of self shifts too. Here is how to understand the identity changes of new parenthood and what to do when it feels like you do not recognize yourself.
Resilience grows in ordinary moments. These seven playful, low-lift activities help kids practice coping, confidence and problem-solving with you as their safety net.
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A new baby changes everything, including your firstborn’s world. Simple activities help older kids feel included and connected to the tiny person they have yet to meet.
Postpartum life is full and your mental health matters as much as your newborn’s feeding schedule. These small, doable habits support your well-being while you find your rhythm again.
Maternity leave math is confusing, even when you have benefits. Here's facts that matter most and simple steps to take so your paycheck, premiums, and plans stay on track.
Grandparents are the village personified, and a steady presence matters. Here are six simple, research-backed ways to support your grandkids and their parents without stepping on toes.
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You want snacks to fuel growth, not just fill minutes until dinner. These 15 options check the big boxes for protein, fiber, iron, and healthy fats without piling on added sugar or salt.
You deserve food that is soothing, nutrient-dense, and ridiculously easy to get on the table. These five meals support tissue repair, steady energy, and milk-making if you are breastfeeding.
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Ten mom-tested truths about C-sections, backed by leading medical guidance, to help you plan your birth, advocate in the OR and recover with confidence.
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After the year we've had, the idea of outsourcing some decision-making to the universe feels less like woo-woo nonsense and more like a legitimate coping mechanism.
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You already make intelligent choices all day. These quick, low-lift money moves help you feel more in control, lower financial stress and keep family goals on track.
Your baby is learning to smile, roll, walk and talk. You are learning to trust yourself, set boundaries, ask for help and let go. Baby milestone is mothers milestone, too, they happen together.
Grandparents are the invisible scaffolding in many new families. Here is what research shows about their impact, the pressures they carry, and how parents can partner with them in safe, loving, clear ways.
The bickering you hear is often a sign of connection. Here is what research says about sibling conflict, why it can build empathy, and how to coach it into closeness without letting anyone get hurt.
Returning to work after baby is more than a schedule change. It is a shift in who you are, what you value and how you move through your day. Here is language for what you are feeling, plus a plan to make the transition kinder.
After delivery, meals do more than fill a plate. They steady hormones, fuel milk, lower stress and remind a new parent they are held. Food quietly becomes a love language in the fourth trimester; what your body needs and how to ask for help.
Your body completed a complex, whole-body event. Treating rest like a prescription, not an afterthought, protects healing, mental health and long-term well-being for you and your baby.
Surrogates say the best journeys are built on clarity, respect and real support. Here is what they want you to know before you match, so everyone feels seen and protected.
Marking the day your family legally or practically came together can be more than a sweet tradition. Done thoughtfully, an adoption anniversary can build identity, strengthen attachment and honor every person in your child’s story.
The motherhood tax is real, and it shows up in three places at once: lower earnings, higher prices, and more unpaid time. Here is what is driving it in 2025, plus practical steps to reclaim money, time, and power.
Birth has a way of stripping life down to the essentials. Between contractions and choices, labor can reveal a kind of courage that is quieter than grit and steadier than hype, the kind you carry into motherhood long after delivery day.
When you are the one everyone calls for rides, rent and reassurance, it can feel like love and pressure at the same time. Here is what the data says about the growing squeeze on families and a practical plan to protect your well-being while you care for the people you love.
When the budget stretches thin, the to-do list gets heavier. Here is why financial strain and the mental load show up together for moms, and what actually helps.
Your inner circle often shifts when you are expecting. Here is why it happens, what it means for your well-being, and simple ways to keep the people you love close.
Nausea, secrecy, and milestone waiting can stretch early pregnancy into slow motion. Then one ultrasound, a small bump, and suddenly it is gone. Here is the science behind the time warp, plus gentle ways to steady yourself.
Your body did something extraordinary. You do not need to rewind it. Here is a gentler, truer way to measure progress after birth, with real talk and research that respects every path.
Weaning is a real goodbye, not just a feeding change. Here’s what’s happening in your body and heart, how to tell if you need extra support, and gentle ways to mark this transition.
Parental leave is not a perk. It is protective health time that safeguards recovery, bonding, feeding, and mental well-being. Here is what new parents wish every manager and HR team knew, plus practical steps to design leave that actually works.
Gestational surrogacy is never a solo act. The medical, legal, and emotional layers are real, which is exactly why building your village early protects the gestational carrier, the baby, and you.
Adoption does not just add a child to your home, it rebuilds your family’s story, routines, and relationships. Here is what changes, why it is normal, and how to navigate it with care, clarity, and support.
Bonding is not a single golden hour, and a C-section does not put you behind. With the right support, connection grows skin-to-skin, eye-to-eye, and day by day—no matter how your baby was born.
Those first 12 weeks after birth bring tidal waves of physical recovery, round-the-clock care and identity shifts. Here is why it feels so hard, and how to make the hardest love gentler on you and your baby.
Your body heals after birth, yes. Your sense of self shifts too. Here is how to understand the identity changes of new parenthood and what to do when it feels like you do not recognize yourself.
Resilience grows in ordinary moments. These seven playful, low-lift activities help kids practice coping, confidence and problem-solving with you as their safety net.
The fourth trimester is real, and many important needs fall through the cracks after that first newborn check. Here is how to recognize what your body and mind might be asking for, and what to do next.
Sometimes the best way to connect with a teenager is to ask a better question. Use thoughtful prompts and open real conversation without putting your teen on the defensive.
Your body often whispers before it roars. Here are the most reliable, evidence-backed signs that labor is near, so you can recognize what’s normal, trust your instincts and feel prepared.
You do not need a 5 a.m. club or a color-coded command center to grow at work and feel present at home. 6 habits that are realistic, repeatable, and proven to reduce stress while moving your career forward.
Your family’s story deserves to be honored. Simple, repeatable rituals help you mark milestones, nurture connection and keep your child’s identity at the center.
A new baby changes everything, including your firstborn’s world. Simple activities help older kids feel included and connected to the tiny person they have yet to meet.
Postpartum life is full and your mental health matters as much as your newborn’s feeding schedule. These small, doable habits support your well-being while you find your rhythm again.
Maternity leave math is confusing, even when you have benefits. Here's facts that matter most and simple steps to take so your paycheck, premiums, and plans stay on track.
Grandparents are the village personified, and a steady presence matters. Here are six simple, research-backed ways to support your grandkids and their parents without stepping on toes.
The first 12 weeks after birth are tender, tiring and expensive. Simple, compassionate practices help you protect finances without sacrificing your well-being.
Tweens crave room to try, stumble and grow. Here are clear signs your tween is asking for some independence, they are ready for more say in their life.
You want snacks to fuel growth, not just fill minutes until dinner. These 15 options check the big boxes for protein, fiber, iron, and healthy fats without piling on added sugar or salt.
You deserve food that is soothing, nutrient-dense, and ridiculously easy to get on the table. These five meals support tissue repair, steady energy, and milk-making if you are breastfeeding.
These simple, evidence-based grounding practices can help you feel more rooted. Remember your patience isn't broken, you just need some information to steady you.
Eight concrete ways dads-to-be can show up in the third trimester. Learn warning signs, practice labor support and prep the fourth trimester. Practical, calm and evidence-based.
Ten mom-tested truths about C-sections, backed by leading medical guidance, to help you plan your birth, advocate in the OR and recover with confidence.
Easing back to work after baby is a big shift. These 5 expert-backed habits protect your energy, feeding plan and mental health so you can find your new rhythm.
Civil rights attorney, Google alum, and mom of four Michele Jawando makes the case that parents are the most powerful force in shaping what AI becomes for the next generation.
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