Skip to contentWhat if there were something families could do to improve everyone’s health? To reduce risky behavior in their teenagers? To be more mentally healthy overall? There is something. I’m referring to the family meal, a time when people gather to eat together. Shared family meals have many health benefits, both physical and emotional.In recent years, holiday gatherings may have felt different for many of us. Instead of extended family and friends joining around a table, some holidays felt more like an ordinary meal with just household members present. It took me a...…Skip to contentWhat if there were something families could do to improve everyone’s health? To reduce risky behavior in their teenagers? To be more mentally healthy overall? There is something. I’m referring to the family meal, a time when people gather to eat together. Shared family meals have many health benefits, both physical and emotional.In recent years, holiday gatherings may have felt different for many of us. Instead of extended family and friends joining around a table, some holidays felt more like an ordinary meal with just household members present. It took me a...WW…

Skip to contentFeeding babies can feel complicated. However, there are a few recommendations to make things a little simpler. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants for at least six months and continued breastfeeding (along with nutritious complementary foods) up through 2 years, or as long as both a mom and a baby desire. That being said, many families ask if there are benefits to any amount of breastfeeding past that first 6 months. Yes!Health professionals agree that there are numerous benefits to both...…Skip to contentFeeding babies can feel complicated. However, there are a few recommendations to make things a little simpler. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the World Health Organization recommend exclusive breastfeeding of infants for at least six months and continued breastfeeding (along with nutritious complementary foods) up through 2 years, or as long as both a mom and a baby desire. That being said, many families ask if there are benefits to any amount of breastfeeding past that first 6 months. Yes!Health professionals agree that there are numerous benefits to both...WW…

Skip to contentYes, parts of breast milk come from blood! Just how is breast milk made? Today’s post covers the basics.Let’s review some anatomy first, then go over how someone’s blood will influence their breast milk. Lastly, I’ll go over why this matters.(It’s possible for someone to produce milk without being pregnant, but this is usually done under the care of a health care professional and includes prescription medications. For this article, I’ll focus on pregnancy and delivery prompting the hormone changes, as that is far more common. And, for clarity, I’m also going to use the term...…Skip to contentYes, parts of breast milk come from blood! Just how is breast milk made? Today’s post covers the basics.Let’s review some anatomy first, then go over how someone’s blood will influence their breast milk. Lastly, I’ll go over why this matters.(It’s possible for someone to produce milk without being pregnant, but this is usually done under the care of a health care professional and includes prescription medications. For this article, I’ll focus on pregnancy and delivery prompting the hormone changes, as that is far more common. And, for clarity, I’m also going to use the term...WW…