Emily Oster

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I exclusively breastfeed my baby. Do I need to give her vitamin D drops? I always thought that breast milk had everything babies need for their nutrition, so I was surprised to hear from our pediatrician that we should be giving her drops. I’m also not sure how long I’ll exclusively breastfeed for and am considering adding in a few bottles of formula. Will I need to give her drops then too? —Confused!“Confused” is a good sign-off here, as this is confusing.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Gillian Mueller Goddard |Emily Oster

I am experiencing extreme mood swings for the first time, at 40. However, I have an IUD and do not get a period, so I have no idea if they have to do with a certain point in my (nonexistent) cycle or not. What is the best way to figure this out? —Feelin’ 13 again!One of the benefits of progestin-eluting IUDs like Mirena and Kyleena — in addition to being effective contraception, of course — is that many women won’t have menstrual bleeding while they have one in place.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Gillian Mueller Goddard |Emily Oster

I’m hearing a lot about the potential benefits of creatine for fighting cognitive decline and age-related sarcopenia. Is there solid evidence to back this up? —AmandaCreatine is the supplement of the moment. But what exactly is it, and why might it be important? It is a molecule that can help our cells, particularly muscle and brain, make the energy they need to function. Our bodies get creatine in two ways. We get it from our diet. Creatine is present in high levels in meat, seafood, and milk.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I’m pregnant and have been pretty stressed lately. I’m trying to keep things “all natural” and have been doing some reading about ashwagandha. It’s in a lot of drinks and supplements that claim to lower stress. Is it safe to take when pregnant? —Trying to chill outAshwagandha, for the uninitiated, is a plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is an “adaptogen,” which is, loosely, anything that is thought to help the body adapt to stressors.

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Kolbe Hancock |Emily Oster

Usually when you hear “everything’s normal” from your doctor, it’s a good thing. But if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a long time, it can be frustrating to find out there is no explanation for your infertility. Up to 30% of couples who experience infertility receive a diagnosis of “unexplained infertility.” But that doesn’t mean there aren’t any treatment options available to you. So what does it mean? What can and can’t we explain in this diagnosis? Let’s break it all down.