ParentData

This is a newsletter that comes out about every two weeks, focusing on data related to pregnancy and parenting. It includes new statistics, quick facts, book suggestions, and more.

International

English

Newsletter (Digital)

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#131722

United States

#37758

Food and Drink/Restaurants and Delivery

#605

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

How Pregnancy Changes Your Brain

1 week ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

My first child was born over 14 years ago. Many things have changed in my life since then, but one very salient one is my ability to focus on a single thing at a time. That ability has completely disappeared. This has both pluses and minuses. On the minus side, in the middle of a lecture, my brain will sometimes decide I need to think about whether we remembered to schedule dentist appointments.
Does Pumped Breast Milk Have Fewer Antibodies?

1 week ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I’m curious about the question of breastfeeding vs. formula and infant health. In your books, you’ve concluded that one is not really better than the other. Knowing the biology of antibodies, it seems to me that mom’s body will make antibodies to things she comes in contact with, which means her baby’s body will make antibodies too if they’re near her. But if the baby is away from mom frequently, then the opposite is true.
Can I Take Creatine While Pregnant?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I’m really into weight training, and just started trying to get pregnant. I’ve been taking creatine as part of my regimen but wonder if it’s safe to take while trying to conceive. What about when I get pregnant? I’ve heard mixed messaging — some people stop taking it right away, and others say that it is actually beneficial for the baby. What does the data say? —“Working out” the answersCreatine is a compound made of three amino acids, which you need for muscle functioning.
When Do Babies Start Walking?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

Both of my children were late walkers. Our pediatrician was characteristically relaxed about it, but I was not (especially with the first child). I wondered: what kind of incentives could I provide? Special shoes? I know I was not alone, because a friend once said she stayed home from work for several days to teach her child to walk. Can you even do that? She swore she did. Walking is one of those milestones that looms large in the moment.
How Should I Handle Invasive Questions About My Queer Family?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Marea Goodman |Emily Oster

My wife and I are planning to get pregnant this year with our first child, and I’m already hearing a lot of weird questions about “who the father will be.” What do I say when people ask me such invasive questions? —Not Your BusinessSomething I commonly see for LGBTQ+ parents and parents-to-be is experiencing a barrage of unwanted questions and comments from family, community, and strangers throughout every stage of the family building process.
What Does “Hyperfertility” Mean?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

Is hyperfertility a real thing? —Sierra“Hyperfertility” is not a medical term. More than that, it is not something generally recognized. I asked an OB, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and a reproductive endocrinologist about it. None had ever heard of this as a medical diagnosis. There is some discussion of this term in the popular press, though, most notably this article in Elle magazine from 2022.
Why Are Autism Rates Going Up?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

There is a lot of discussion of late — in the media, among parents, in policy circles — about autism. The CDC recently released data suggesting that autism diagnosis rates among children in 2022 had risen to 1 in 31 children. This has been steadily rising for years, from 1 in 149 in 2000. Similar increases can be seen over time in data based on medical records that cover children of different ages. And there are increases outside the U.S. For some, this is a substantial cause for concern.
Supporting Your Mental Health While Trying to Conceive

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

When trying to conceive, taking care of your mental health can slip further and further down the list of priorities. I was excited to talk about this with someone whose work I admire, Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, a perinatal psychiatrist and a good friend. I’ll let her introduce herself below. When I went to medical school, I thought that I wanted to be an OB-GYN. Then I did OB as my first rotation and realized very quickly that I had no interest in actually having my hands inside of other people’s bodies.
What Is the Data Behind Growth Charts?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

How sound is the data behind infant and childhood growth charts? We have a very active, happy, sweet, and small four-month old (like, third-percentile small). Our doctor, lactation consultants, and the internet all say we don’t need to be concerned about growth unless our child fails to follow the curve. But what does it mean to follow the curve when you’re at the very bottom? What happens if he falls off the curve entirely?
Can Eating Dates Help with Childbirth?

2 weeks ago | parentdata.org | Emily Oster

I am currently in my third trimester, and everyone has given me advice on what will help me with labor, from raspberry leaf tea to bouncing on a ball to eating dates. The last one really intrigued me. Does eating dates make you go into labor? What’s so special about dates, and when should I start eating them to help with labor?