Maternal Mental Health

MCAH believes all mothers, parents, babies, and families deserve to live their best lives. However, many pregnant people and new parents experience mental health challenges. Mental health support is an important part of dealing with life challenges and taking care of yourself. An emotionally healthy parent can have a stronger relationship with their baby, which supports healthy child development and family bonds.   

For self evaluation and resources: click here

Breastfeeding

Infant feeding is the feeding of a child from birth to one year of age. This guide promotes the "normal" infant feeding method, which is defined as exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life followed by breastfeeding and the introduction of iron-rich complementary foods around age six months. For this reason, breastfeeding recommendations are a focus of this Infant Feeding Guide. This guide is intended for health care and public health professionals and does not address high risk infants.

Appropriate infant nutrition including breastfeeding reduces the risk in children under the age of five of infections, iron deficiency anemia, excessive weight, and short stature. This risk reduction may continue beyond childhood.

For local breastfeeding support: click here

Healthy Pregnancy 

 Birthing parents who are overweight or obese before becoming pregnant and/or gain excessive weight during pregnancy have increased risk for numerous adverse health conditions such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery and hypertension. Gaining a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy is important to support a child's health and adult health in the next generation.

For more information: Click Here 

Additional Resources 

Dental Health During Pregnancy: Click Here

How can smoking during pregnancy affect you and baby: Click Here

Referral Services for Prenatal Care : Call  844-701-8883

Amador Women Infant & Children (WIC) Services: Click Here

CalFresh Healthy Living Resource: Click Here