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Super Smoothies

September 11, 2024 Recipes

Looking for a sweet drink without the guilt? Give smoothies a try! Grab the blender and stock up on your favorite produce for super simple smoothies.

Fresh smoothies are a healthy choice for breakfast, snack, or dessert. When you blend produce into a smoothie you get a tasty variety of vitamins and minerals, all in one glass. More color means more nutrition, so add as many different fruits and vegetables as you can, into the mix!

Juicy Tips for Super Smoothies

  • Wash, chop, and remove any seeds from produce before blending.
  • Blend smoothies ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
  • Pour your favorite mixture into ice cube trays and freeze to make delicious, healthy popsicles.

Get your child involved; have them help choose a variety of fruits and vegetables to create fun flavor and color possibilities!

  • Include a few ounces of unsweetened 1% milk, skim milk, soy or almond milk, or yogurt for added creaminess and nutrition.
  • Beets are an easy way to give drinks a bright red or pink color, and they add a bit of sweetness. Chop them into cubes before blending. Beets are rich in folate (vitamin B9), which helps cells grow and function.
Delicious!
  • Frozen ripe bananas can also make smoothies creamier. Other fruits, like peaches, apricots, berries, pineapple, and mango, can also be frozen. Just peel the fruit and place it in a sealed plastic bag or container before freezing.
  • Leafy greens, like kale and spinach, are packed with vitamins A, C, K and folate, which are crucial for healthy vision, immunity, bone health, and cell growth. Blend them into a bright green drink to get your child excited about trying something new.

Simple Smoothie Recipes

Use a blender to combine all ingredients until smooth.

Hulk Smoothie

Hulk Smoothie

Add more or less of each ingredient to your liking!

  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 banana
  • 2 cups kale (or spinach)
  • 1 medium apple
  • 2 cups strawberries (fresh or frozen)

Tropical Treat

Add any other fruit you have, like oranges, peaches, or papaya.

  • 1-2 cups pineapple, chopped
  • 1 cup mango, peeled and chopped
  • 1 frozen banana
  • 1 tablespoon lemon or lime juice
  • 1 cup water
Watermelon Refresher

Watermelon Refresher

For a different flavor, substitute ginger for mint.

  • 2 cups watermelon
  • 1-2 frozen bananas
  • 1 cup cucumber
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint
hand-expierence

HAND EXPRESSION

How it works

Use your hand to gently massage and compress your breast to remove milk.

What’s Involved

  • Requires practice, skill, and coordination.
  • Gets easier with practice and can be as fast as pumping.
  • Good if you are not often away from your baby or you need an option that is always with you. All moms should know how to hand express, in case they need to do it unexpectedly.

Average Cost

Free

Side-Lying

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE hold

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position