Honest guidance, and nothing hidden.

What we believe

Most sites in this space either frighten you or sell to you. We think parents deserve a third option: a calm, well-sourced explanation of the real trade-offs, so you can decide what fits your body, your baby, and your values. There is rarely one "right" answer to these questions — only the right fit for your family. Our job is to lay out the honest shape of each choice, not to push you toward one.

How we source and fact-check

Every medical or statistical claim on this site is drawn from primary sources — professional bodies and peer-reviewed research — and listed in a Sources section at the bottom of the article. Where we can, we cite the original study rather than a summary. We favor bodies like ACOG, the AAP, NICE, Cochrane, and studies such as the Birthplace in England study and the National Birth Center Study.

Who's behind Cradle & Compass

This resource is produced in affiliation with a home newborn-care and circumcision practice. The practice's founder is an experienced mohel who has personally performed more than 3,000 newborn circumcisions over 20+ years. We think that hands-on experience with newborn families makes the guidance here more grounded — and we'd rather tell you about the connection directly than have you discover it in the footer.

When we mention that practice, or a birth center we admire like Tender Gifts in Fort Collins, we'll always make the relationship clear and keep the surrounding information neutral and accurate.

Our promises to you

• We'll show our work. Sources on every article, linked so you can check them yourself.
• We'll present the other side. Including the reasons a family might choose differently than our affiliated practice would.
• We won't fear-monger, and we won't hard-sell.
• We'll stay in our lane. This is education, not medical advice — see below.