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Infants

Infancy—the period of life from birth to age 1—is associated with a unique set of public policy issues related to babies' health, development, and welfare. RAND's research on infants spans a wide range of topics for this brief but important period of life, including infant mortality, low birth weight, neonatal care, immunizations, breastfeeding and feeding practices, and cognitive development.

Journal Article

Association Among County-Level Economic Factors, Clinician Supply, Metropolitan or Rural Location, and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

This analysis found a significant association among higher long-term unemployment, higher mental health clinician shortage areas, and higher county-level rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Feb 1, 2019
News Release

Study Links Long-Term Unemployment to Increase in Babies Born with Opioid Withdrawal

Babies born after being exposed to opioids before birth are more likely to be delivered in regions of the U.S. with high rates of long-term unemployment and lower levels of mental health services.

Jan 30, 2019
Journal Article

Armed Conflict and Child Mortality in Africa: A Geospatial Analysis

Armed conflict substantially increases infant mortality in Africa, on a scale equivalent to and several times greater than estimates of deaths from conflict.

Dec 27, 2018
Report

The Welcome Baby Program: An Implementation and Outcomes Evaluation

Findings from an evaluation of First 5 LA's Welcome Baby universal home visiting program showed significant variation across sites, but generally positive responses from participants.

Dec 11, 2018
Report

Development of metrics to measure the impact of Tommy's work

This study presents metrics to help work out what Tommy's should measure and how Tommy's should report impact. The aim is to work out how each contributes to Tommy's desired outcomes, namely the reduction of stillbirth, preterm birth and miscarriage.

Sep 17, 2018
Journal Article

Geographic Access to International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants in Pennsylvania

Most children in Pennsylvania live within 30 miles of an international board-certified lactation consultant; however, this is true for a smaller percentage of children in rural counties.

Aug 24, 2018
Commentary

Potential Changes to Paternity and Parental Leave in Europe

Fathers' involvement in child care has considerable benefits for their children, mothers, employers, and themselves. Paternity and parental leave are important, but pay, flexibility, and eligibility remain significant barriers to uptake by fathers across Europe.

Jun 25, 2018
Journal Article

Effect of the Affordable Care Act on Breastfeeding Outcomes

When new mothers have affordable access to lactation support services and breast pumps, they are more likely to breastfeed until their infants are ready to transition to solid foods.

Feb 9, 2018
Multimedia

The Impact of the Opioid Crisis on Children

RAND adjunct physician policy researcher Stephen W. Patrick gives testimony at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing on the impact of the opioid epidemic on children and families.

Feb 8, 2018
Journal Article

Health Care at Birth and Infant Mortality: Evidence from Nighttime Deliveries in Nigeria

Ensuring that Nigerian women giving birth have access to health facilities will likely reduce infant mortality.

Dec 29, 2017
Journal Article

The Emergence and Promise of Telelactation

Telehealth services to support lactation may hold particular promise, but additional research is needed to determine whether the benefits outweigh potential challenges.

Jun 2, 2017
Commentary

Parental Leave Would Cause a Boom in Breastfeeding

Doctors recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby's life. This provides health benefits to both mother and child and saves health care costs. Paid maternity leave can boost breastfeeding rates, but few U.S. firms offer it.

Apr 17, 2017
Journal Article

Engaging Human Rights in the Response to the Evolving Zika Virus Epidemic

Public health responses to the Zika virus that incorporate a human rights perspective have the potential to be more equitable, effective, and sustainable interventions.

Mar 16, 2017
Research Brief

The Economic Returns from Investing in Early Childhood Programs in the Granite State

We assessed investments in early childhood programs in New Hampshire, summarizing benefits and economic returns of three early intervention strategies and estimating costs and benefits of statewide investments in programs for at-risk children.

Feb 15, 2017
Report

The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Early Childhood in New Hampshire

Stakeholders in the public and private sectors in New Hampshire have been focused on investments in young children. What do they need to know?

Feb 15, 2017
Report

A Psychometric Study of the Modified Bridges for Newborns Screening Tool

This report describes RAND Corporation work evaluating the psychometric characteristics of the Modified Bridges for Newborns, a screening tool to identify high-risk mothers in Los Angeles Count who are eligible for supportive services.

Feb 6, 2017
Journal Article

New Parent Home Visiting Program Reduces Infants' Need for Medical Care

Infants whose families took part in a new parent home visit program were less likely to visit the emergency room and made fewer primary care visits during their first year of life. The program benefited at-risk families and those who had no risk factors.

Jan 27, 2017
News Release

New Parent Home Visiting Program Reduces Infants' Need for Medical Care During First Year of Life

Infants whose families participated in a new parent home visit program were less likely to visit the emergency room and made fewer primary care doctor visits during their first year of life. The program benefited both families who were at risk for problems, and those who had no risk factors.

Dec 15, 2016
Journal Article

Lactation Support Services and Breastfeeding Initiation: Evidence from the Affordable Care Act

The likelihood that mothers with private health insurance would start breastfeeding increased by 2.5 percentage points after the Affordable Care Act mandated the coverage of lactation support services.

Nov 28, 2016
Report

Delaware Stars for Early Success: Final Report

Based on findings from an evaluation of Delaware's quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for early care and education programs, RAND provided recommendations for state decisionmakers, including considering further refinements to the rating structure, strengthening quality improvement supports, and enhancing administrative data systems.

Nov 7, 2016

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RAND Topic:
Infants

Topic Synonyms:
Babies;
Baby;
Infancy

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