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Recipe for Success
March 29, 2023General /FamilyRecipes

Recipe for Success

Mariah was faced with cooking a meal for her family. Many thoughts entered her mind at one time. What can I make? Are they going to like it? What if…

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Survivor – New Mom Edition
March 22, 2023Women

Survivor – New Mom Edition

If you’re a brand new mom, you may feel like you’re on an episode of “Survivor”. Life with a new baby can be pretty rough. You’re sleep deprived, often unable…

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The 411 on Newborns
March 15, 2023Infant

The 411 on Newborns

A new baby brings so much more joy… and often a lot of questions for new parents. Here are some helpful answers to many of the common questions about life…

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How to Spring Clean Your Kitchen
March 8, 2023General /Family

How to Spring Clean Your Kitchen

When most people think of spring-cleaning, they think of going through closets and deep cleaning neglected areas in their home. But there’s another type of spring-cleaning that can help your…

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Whole Grain Goodness: Brown Rice Veggie Bowls
March 1, 2023General /FamilyRecipes

Whole Grain Goodness: Brown Rice Veggie Bowls

Eating whole grain foods—things like brown rice, corn tortillas, oatmeal, and 100% whole wheat breads and pasta—is good for the health of your family. Whole grains are more nutritious than…

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Whole Grain Goodness: Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bake
March 1, 2023General /FamilyRecipes

Whole Grain Goodness: Blueberry Banana Oatmeal Bake

Eating whole grain foods—things like brown rice, corn tortillas, oatmeal, and 100% whole wheat breads and pasta—is good for the health of your family. Whole grains are more nutritious than…

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Ten Tips for Teaching Nutrition to Preschoolers
February 22, 2023Children

Ten Tips for Teaching Nutrition to Preschoolers

Parents often ask — what’s the best way to teach nutrition to my kids? My answer is always “keep the focus on food and fun”. Children between the ages of…

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Nine Ways to Bond with Your Baby
February 15, 2023Infant

Nine Ways to Bond with Your Baby

The bond you form with your baby starts as soon as they are born. As one of the most important tasks of babyhood, creating a strong bond becomes a lasting…

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Feeding Your Toddler For Good Health Over Time
February 8, 2023Children

Feeding Your Toddler For Good Health Over Time

Toddler Portions Toddlers eat small amounts of food and take their time with eating. As a general rule, at each meal, serve one tablespoon of food from each food group…

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Best Breast/Chest-feeding Positions
February 1, 2023Women

Best Breast/Chest-feeding Positions

There is no right or wrong breast/chest-feeding position. However, there may be positions that are right or wrong for you and your baby. The best position is one that helps…

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Smart Snacking for Preschoolers
January 25, 2023Children

Smart Snacking for Preschoolers

Children snack more today than they did 25 years ago. Many kids now eat three snacks a day, which make up almost one third of daily calories. Children also eat…

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Early Childhood Intervention: Building Blocks For Success
January 18, 2023Children

Early Childhood Intervention: Building Blocks For Success

Birth to age three is a key time of growth. The base is being set for all other learning for the rest of a person’s life. For some children, this…

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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