When mothers initially feed their babies, they make them lie on their laps, however, the same position may not be safe when the baby is feeding off the bottle.

It is important to feed your baby through the bottle in a semi-upright position and support their head. Do not feed them lying down, as formula or the milk from the bottle can flow into the middle ear, and cause infection. Also, unlike breast and its nipple, the bottle does not have the mechanism to ensure that milk is being overflowed. Also, in order to prevent your little ones from swallowing air as they suck, tilt the bottle so that the formula fills the neck of the bottles and covers the nipple.

How can you choose the right bottle for you?

While some babies happily drink from any bottle, some are much pickier. Yes, you read it right, babies need different bottles, based on how their bodies react after being fed.

If you have a baby with gas, it is best to try a bottle with a venting system. Now, this allows your baby to avoid air in the milk while feeding. Such bottles mimic the shape and feel of a breast or an actual nipple. Bottles with fewer parts are also easier to clean, which could be great during the middle-of-the-night feedings.

For new moms, it is also a great advice to start with a slow-flow nipple to avoid overwhelming your baby and switch to a faster flow when they seem to hold the bottle themselves and can finish milk in less time.

What should you follow when you bottle feed your baby?

As per the National Health Scheme (UK), NHS UK, it is important to be prepared to experiment well with the kind of bottles that suits your baby the best. Thee is no evidence that only one type of teat or bottle is better than any other.

It is always best to ensure that you screw the top tightly into the bottle before you feed your baby.

Bottle Feeding and The Right Positions

Bottle feeding is more than just feeding and nourishing your baby, it is also an opportunity to bond with your babies. Babies also feel secure when their caregivers are feeding. This is why it is important that even before you start bottle feeding, you first find a comfortable spot to sit with your baby close to you. Look at them and gently hold the and talk as you feed.

Hold your baby in a semi-upright position during bottle feeds, with their head supported. This ensures they can breathe and swallow comfortably. Brush the teat gently against their lips, and when they open their mouth wide, let them draw the teat in.

Take your time—babies feed at their own pace, so be patient and allow them plenty of time to enjoy their meal.

Do not leave your baby un-monitored

Always supervise your baby during feeding sessions. Do not prop the bottle or leave them alone with it. This can also cause choking hazard, or the milk could pool in their mouth which could increase ear infections.

The bottle's position matters as much as baby's position. When feeding, hold the bottle in a horizontal position, tipping it slightly. This helps the milk flow steadily and reduces the amount of air your baby may swallow. If the teat flattens, gently pull the corner of your baby’s mouth to release the suction. Should the teat become blocked, replace it with a fresh, sterile one.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has urged strengthening investment in maternal health initiatives in the US that will support mothers before and after they give birth.

Speaking to NBC News on the occasion of Mother’s Day on May 10, Moore, along with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, spoke about the need to improve access to care for mothers.

Moore, who has served as governor since January 2023, emphasized the need to leverage resources from the government, the private sector, and community organizations to address access gaps.

In light of this, the Maryland Governor highlighted a new partnership his administration entered with The Bridge Project to provide direct cash assistance to new mothers.

The Bridge Project, which has programs in 10 cities, counties, or regions across the country, offers mothers financial support and community resources to assist them during pregnancy and “for the first several years” with their baby.

“It’s going to happen for 150 families in the … areas of Maryland that you’ve had concentrated poverty being a long-term challenge,” said Moore, a father of two.

“And it’s now coming off the heels of additional initiatives that we pulled together, where we’ve reestablished the Governor’s Office for Children. We’ve started something called the ENOUGH Initiative, which is actually an acronym that stands for engaging neighborhoods, organizations, unions, governments, and households, which is the nation’s first place-based, state-led anti-poverty initiative,” he added.

Sanders Urges Bipartisan Action to Improve Maternal Health

Meanwhile, Sanders, who has three children, said she made maternal health a priority after becoming governor, citing Arkansas’ consistently poor ranking in maternal mortality rates.

“If we can see these women and help them and support them from the very beginning of their pregnancy all the way through, then we can help address some of these problems, and we can change maternal health,” Sanders. “Not just in our state, but across the country.”

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Sanders said she convened a strategic working group to identify ways to improve maternal health outcomes throughout the state and was “pleasantly shocked by how many people showed up.”

“People that I know actively campaigned against me were some of the most helpful people in developing our strategic plan on how we were going to address this problem in Arkansas,” the governor added. “It is something that breaks down a lot of walls. Everybody knows a mom. Everybody has a mom.”

The working group led Sanders to introduce the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act and other initiatives, including the Proactive Postpartum Call Center run through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, which calls women in their first six weeks postpartum to ask and answer questions about physical and mental health.

Maternal Mortality In The US

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As per March 2026 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2024 figures raise concerns about maternal health in the country. The US has already had one of the highest maternal mortality rates among high-income countries.

The CDC's report stated that in 2024, 649 women died of maternal causes in the United States, compared with 669 in 2023

The maternal mortality rate for 2024, 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, shows no significant decline from 18.6 deaths in 2023.

In most cases, mothers tend to focus more on the health of their family members than on their own. With all the other tasks that mothers have to undertake, health check-ups are generally left out. Nonetheless, it is important for women to undergo yearly health tests so that any disease can be identified early enough and proper preventive measures can be put into place.

Why Regular Health Check-Ups Matter for Women

Some of the physical and hormonal changes that women undergo include pregnancy, delivery, menopause, and aging. These changes make women more prone to illnesses like anemia, thyroid disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, and cancer. Regular medical examinations offer women a chance to track their health and prevent future complications.

One of the biggest advantages of health screenings is early diagnosis. Conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid dysfunction, among others, have no apparent symptoms in their early stages. However, with screenings, one will be able to diagnose any abnormality and treat or manage the situation.

The ideal health screening process should start with a thorough physical exam. Some of the things that you may consider at the beginning include taking your blood pressure, weight, and body mass index (BMI). In addition, the heart rate and general health status can provide some critical insights regarding your health status.

Tests That Women Must Skip

Basic blood tests are equally important. The CBC test is conducted to check the presence of anemia, infections, or any deficiency.

A glucose test should be conducted to rule out diabetes or prediabetes. A lipid test should also be conducted to measure the level of cholesterol.

Thyroid tests are highly recommended for women, considering that thyroid disorders have become very common. They affect metabolism, weight management, mood regulation, and the menstrual cycle.

Tests for Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 can also be conducted if the woman experiences tiredness or weakness.

Routine Cancer Screening

Another essential preventive measure that should not be ignored regarding maternal health is routine screening against various forms of cancer. Routine breast exams and mammograms are useful in the early diagnosis of breast cancer, while Pap smear tests will screen for abnormal growths in order to reduce the likelihood of developing cervical cancer. Some women will require further and more thorough testing due to their age group or because of a family history of such conditions.

Other Preventive Health Check-ups

Attention should also be paid to maintaining healthy bones, particularly among women over 40 years of age. Screening for bone strength can detect the early stages of osteoporosis, avoiding future problems with broken bones.

The mental aspect is yet another crucial element that often goes unnoticed. Stress, anxiety, depression, and even insomnia can be prevalent among those women who try to cope with too many tasks at once. Yearly health visits are also a chance to speak to experts about one's emotions and lifestyle.

In summary, annual health visits are not only some kind of obligatory ritual—they are one of the most significant investments in one's health and well-being. Healthy mothers have more chances to look after their children and feel good about themselves and their lives.

The postpartum period is often entirely centered around the baby, and a mother’s recovery is supposed to proceed quietly in the background. Many women continue to feel uncomfortable months after delivery, but they treat that discomfort as a normal part of being a mother. One of the most underreported and misunderstood conditions is Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP), which is a condition of the postpartum period resulting from the weakening of pelvic floor muscles post-pregnancy and childbirth.

What Happens To The Body After Childbirth?

Pregnancy and vaginal delivery place a significant strain on the muscles and tissues of the pelvic floor, which support the expansion of the uterus, bladder, and bowel. Extended periods of labour, large babies, multiple pregnancies, and challenging deliveries can diminish these support systems even further. When a woman's pelvic floor weakens, her pelvic organs, such as the bladder, uterus, or rectum, may shift downward into the vaginal canal, leading to pelvic organ prolapse.

Why The Condition Often Goes Unnoticed

Pelvic Organ Prolapse tends to develop gradually, making its symptoms easy to ignore. Many women think bladder leakage, pelvic heaviness, or discomfort are all part of postpartum recovery, and so do not talk about them because they are embarrassed or unaware. Many new mothers also sacrifice their own health in favor of baby care, pushing off seeking medical care until symptoms start interfering with everyday life.

Signs your body may still be recovering:

• Pressure or heaviness in the pelvic area
• Urinary leakage when coughing, sneezing, or exercising
• Constipation or pains in the bowel
• Difficulty emptying the bladder completely
• Pain in the lower back and/or in the pelvis
• Sense of “something coming down” vaginally

How To Aid Postnatal Pelvic Recovery

• Practice gentle Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
• Start light movement, such as short walks and gentle stretching
• Maintain proper posture while sitting, standing, and breastfeeding
• Avoid heavy lifting and high-impact exercises in the initial recovery phase
• Stay hydrated and consume a nutrient-rich diet to support tissue healing
• Get adequate rest and sleep for overall recovery
• Consult a doctor if experiencing urinary leakage, pelvic pain, or heaviness for a prolonged period.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse is common, treatable, and manageable, but many women quietly navigate suffering since these conversations are rarely had publicly. Early detection of the symptoms and support to overcome these can greatly enhance longer-term recovery and quality of life postpartum.