Babies born in the United States have a higher chance of death than babies born in more than 50 other countries in the world. Harnessing lessons-learned from successful improvement initiatives can help hospitals and state health systems address this alarming statistic. Here, pioneer for improvement Deborah Campbell, MD, FAAP, shares strategies and lessons-learned from three successful improvement efforts: improving nutrition protocols for preterm infants; spreading safe sleep messages to reduce infant deaths; and testing strategies to lower rates of maternal hemorrhage, and related mortality and morbidity.

Experts from the Brookings Institution, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the Medical University of South Carolina and Postpartum Support Charleston analyze the impact of maternal depression on children and families, and offer strategies health professionals can take to ensure that more mothers are screened and referred to support and resources.

In honor or our 20th anniversary, we're sharing insights, memories and goals from the NICHQ team. Here, NICHQ Executive Project Director Pat Heinrich shares her biggest lessons-learned and biggest laughs while working at NICHQ. 

Strong parent-child relationships during the early years of life not only foster healthy brain development, but also protect the brain against the harmful effects of toxic stress that might arise from adverse childhood experiences. Here, learn about a program that pediatric health professionals can integrate into their visits to enhance healthy parent-child relationships, and support children’s cognitive and social and emotional development.

Families in rural communities across the country face unique barriers to supporting their children’s developmental health and well-being. Here, learn how community coalitions in Alaska are connecting families to needed supports and services, so more rural children can start school ready to succeed. 

Swaddling babies snuggly in a blanket mimics the confines of the womb and can comfort babies and promote sleep. However, when families don’t swaddle properly it has the potential to become risky and result in injury and possible death. By improving conversations with caregivers, health professionals can help reduce risks and support tired parents. Here, find four points to cover in your conversations.