Erin Heger

Erin is a freelance writer living in the Kansas City area where she also works as a health insurance navigator for a community health center. She writes primarily about reproductive justice and parenting. Her work has been featured in Rewire, DAME Magazine and Refinery29.

Life

Want to help new families? Start by supporting mothers’ mental health

Statistics say one thing about postpartum mood disorders, but social media can say another.

May 15, 2019

Mental health in motherhood, Postpartum anxiety, Postpartum depression, Postpartum mental health

Baby Sleep Tips

Want baby to sleep better at night? Try more tummy time, say researchers

Why play in the day can lead to restful nights.

Updated December 5, 2018

Newborn, Sleep

Life

Childcare costs more than college in some states—and that needs to change

Exorbitant childcare costs are a burden on a generation already struggling.

November 30, 2018

Childcare costs, Daycare, Play, Student loans

Baby Health

Why ‘cleaning’ a dropped pacifier with your own mouth might benefit baby

New research shows the bacteria in a mother's mouth may actually help prevent allergies in young children.

November 19, 2018

Baby Sleep Tips

Many babies don’t sleep through the night as soon as parents expect, study says

It’s one of the most common, and often frustrating questions moms of…

Updated July 5, 2022

3 month, Child development, Sleep

News

Fellow passenger—and our new hero—helps mom traveling alone with 2 kids

Any parent with young children knows how stressful traveling can be—especially on…

April 16, 2018

Postpartum

New moms aren’t getting enough sleep—but that can (and should!) change

Our partners and support circles can and *should* be part of planning to prioritize a new mother’s sleep.

April 2, 2018

Entertainment

Charlize Theron in ‘Tully’ provides an amazingly accurate look at real motherhood

This movie shows why it’s essential to nurture the nurturer.

January 12, 2018

News

Walmart is offering paid leave to all parents who are full-time employees

We also applaud Walmart for their new adoption benefits.

January 12, 2018

Walmart

News

9 million children could lose health insurance if Congress doesn’t save CHIP

CHIP historically has bipartisan support—so why is it in jeopardy now?

January 2, 2018

Parenting

Daycare isn’t just ‘the next best thing’ for our family

Daycare is often presented as a subpar alternative to a stay-at-home parent—but that really isn’t true.

May 16, 2017

Career, Child development, Daycare, Learn play, Parenting, Parenting advice, Parenting styles strategies, Play