FEATURE: "Baby cafes" helping mothers and infants combat isolation in Japan

WAKAYAMA, Japan - "Baby cafes" serving baby food are opening across Japan, giving new mothers a place to gather and combat postpartum isolation through shared meals and conversation.

In early April, Baby Cafe Arida, run by a midwife clinic, opened in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, that has a population of about 24,000. Ten parent-child pairs attended the first session. After finishing their meals, the infants played on the mats while the moms ate curry and chatted happily.