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How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breastmilk
March 11, 2026WomenInfluencers

How to Know Your Baby Is Getting Enough Breastmilk

Many parents worry if their baby is getting enough breastmilk. The good news is your baby will give you signs. Here are some simple ways to tell: Steady Weight Gain Most babies lose a little weight in the first few days after birth. After the first few days, your baby should start gaining about 5-7 ounces of weight per week.

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Shopping With Kids: A Simple Way to Help Them Like More Foods
March 4, 2026Children

Shopping With Kids: A Simple Way to Help Them Like More Foods

A Simple Way to Help Kids Like More Foods Getting kids to try new foods can feel hard. One helpful place to start is the grocery store. When kids get to help shop for food, they are more likely to taste and accept those foods later. Shopping together helps kids feel curious, confident, and proud […]

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Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes
February 25, 2026Women

Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes

Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes Breastfeeding can feel confusing when your baby suddenly wants to eat more or wakes up more often. The good news is this is very normal. Babies grow fast, and their feeding and sleep patterns change often, especially in the first few months. Below are common reasons why your […]

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Heart-Healthy Recipe: Banana Berry Oatmeal Cups
February 18, 2026Recipes

Heart-Healthy Recipe: Banana Berry Oatmeal Cups

Banana Berry Oatmeal Cups February is all about showing your heart some love! One tasty way to do that is by eating foods that help your heart stay strong, like these Banana Berry Oatmeal Cups. These soft, lightly sweet oatmeal cups are perfect for busy mornings or as a wholesome snack. They’re also easy for […]

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Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy: Stress-Management for Parents
February 11, 2026General /Family

Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy: Stress-Management for Parents

Finding Calm When Life Gets Busy Parenting is full of love, joy, and often times, stress. Between caring for little ones, managing meals, grocery shopping, budgets, jobs, and everything else, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. The good news: small, simple steps can help you manage stress and care for yourself – which helps you better […]

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February Is National Heart Month: Simple Ways to Show Your Heart Some Love
February 4, 2026General /Family

February Is National Heart Month: Simple Ways to Show Your Heart Some Love

Simple Ways to Show Your Heart Some Love Your heart works hard for you every single day.February is National Heart Month – a great time to learn small, simple ways to care for your and your family’s heart health. You don’t have to make big changes. Even little steps can make a big difference. It’s […]

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10 Ways to Enjoy Avocados – And Helpful Tips to Feed with Confidence
January 28, 2026General /Family

10 Ways to Enjoy Avocados – And Helpful Tips to Feed with Confidence

10 Ways to Enjoy Avocados – And Helpful Tips to Feed with Confidence Ahh, the amazing avocado. So many varieties to enjoy, and so many ways to enjoy them! Avocados can vary in shape, size, color, and taste. Hass avocados are the most common type found in grocery stores, but there are thousands of varieties […]

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Food, Feelings, and Finding Balance: Understanding Disordered Eating
January 21, 2026General /Family

Food, Feelings, and Finding Balance: Understanding Disordered Eating

Food, Feelings, and Finding Balance: Understanding Disordered Eating Kelli almost spilled her morning coffee when she heard her 4-year-old say, “I’m getting fat. I need to lose weight.” Her heart sank. She knew those words sounded a lot like the things she said to herself every day.Kelli often skipped meals, tried every new diet she […]

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Liquid Calories – Time to Rethink Your Drink?
January 14, 2026General /Family

Liquid Calories – Time to Rethink Your Drink?

When Drinks Add Up Nilea loved starting her day with a big cup of coffee and flavored creamer. In the afternoon, she reached for a 20-ounce soda to stay awake. At home, she poured a large glass of juice to relax. When she felt stressed, she treated herself to a smoothie. She thought these choices […]

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Baby Blues… or Is It Something More?
January 7, 2026Women

Baby Blues… or Is It Something More?

Baby Blues… or Is It Something More? It’s very common to feel emotional after having a baby. Your body is healing, your hormones are changing, and life looks very different overnight. Many parents experience the “baby blues” during the first week after birth. What Are the Baby Blues? The baby blues usually start 2–3 days […]

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Is the Chia Seed Challenge Worth It?
December 31, 2025General /FamilyRecipes

Is the Chia Seed Challenge Worth It?

Is the Chia Seed Challenge Worth It? If you’ve spent time on TikTok or Instagram, you may have seen people trying the 30-day chia seed challenge. It’s gotten a lot of attention, but is it actually good for you? Let’s look at the facts before you give it a try. A Few Words of Caution […]

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Gut Health and Gestational Diabetes
December 24, 2025Women

Gut Health and Gestational Diabetes

Gut Health and Gestational Diabetes Ana Sofia was pregnant again, and this time she wanted things to go differently. During her last pregnancy, she had gestational diabetes – a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It wasn’t fun, and she was determined to avoid it this time. Because she had gestational diabetes before […]

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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 Hold Image

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 Hold Image

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
Clutch or “Football” Hold Image

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 Image

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 Hold Image

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