<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Held Together]]></title><description><![CDATA[Held Together]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/my-blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 18 May 2026 21:16:30 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Should You Express Colostrum and What Even Is It?]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you've felt curious about what your breasts are doing in those final weeks of pregnancy, well, you're not imagining things. Your body has been secretly making breastmilk for months. And that first little bit of milk? It's remarkable. They call it liquid gold. Let's talk about liquid gold - or colostrum. Let's learn what it actually is, what it does for your baby, and why so many families are choosing to collect and store it before birth. First Things First: What Is Colostrum? Colostrum is...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/should-you-express-colostrum-and-what-even-is-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69ff3df357c1b4d98769e15c</guid><pubDate>Sat, 09 May 2026 15:26:45 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_6b8416ceeedf4e68bce8bd531896be1f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nipple Creams - Do's and Don'ts]]></title><description><![CDATA[Standing in the infant aisle, looking at all the products while you're over-tired trying to decide which nipple cream will help you... I've been there! And, it's one of the questions I get most often from new parents. Now, choosing the right product doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, the most effective option might already be at home with you. Read on for a clear breakdown of what's worth using, what to skip, and one widely prescribed treatment that deserves a closer look. Start Here:...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/nipple-creams-do-s-and-don-ts</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69f8046a6d919e5ce86bf8f2</guid><pubDate>Mon, 04 May 2026 03:26:09 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_cf3a41b0eba54834ab9f535f396f7b5d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_534,h_674,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Do You Keep Seeing: "Rely on your village" - Here's How to Actually Do It.]]></title><description><![CDATA[When we are newly postpartum, or pregnant and need extra support, we absolutely need other people to help us out - to keep us sane, to keep us fed and regulated. But, not all of us have a circle of women who will surround us with support in terms of food drop offs, cleaning help, babysitting help for older kids... Most people say to " use your village ", but how do people know how to be a villager for you if they didn't have one themselves? Here's how to actually have a village You have to be...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/do-you-keep-seeing-rely-on-your-village-here-s-how-to-actually-do-it</link><guid isPermaLink="false">698a08048883eba719aff46b</guid><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:55:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_9cd99cdf0ae547e3a0e172f83f0c51be~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_635,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pumping: What You Need To Know Before You Start]]></title><description><![CDATA[Pumping can be a useful tool, a necessary bridge, or a full-time feeding method - but it works best when expectations match physiology. Before you buy a pump, build a freezer stash, or start adding bottles, here are the non-negotiables you need to know - based on where you’re starting from. Are you a: Prenatal Parent Who is Planning to (Mostly) Breastfeed Combination Feeders (By Choice or By Need) Exclusive Pumper 1. Prenatal Parents Planning to (Mostly) Breastfeed I find that pumping is...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/pumping-what-you-need-to-know-before-you-start</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6984e8171e55646770037d3c</guid><pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:44:19 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_1f283dc375004e2bbab8afc71d3531c3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[10 Tips From A Lactation Consultant That You Need To Know In The First Week]]></title><description><![CDATA[The first week with a newborn is intense - physically, emotionally, hormonally. Feeding questions come up fast, and a lot of the advice parents receive is well-intentioned but incomplete. A lot of the families I see in practice didn't get a chance to speak to a lactation consultant in the hospital for more than 5 minutes - AND their next available appointments weren't until weeks later. So, don't assume you will learn it all at the hospital. Get prepared early. Here are ten things I wish...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/10-tips-from-a-lactation-consultant-that-you-need-to-know-in-the-first-week</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6980cb631dce0ff3f10669f0</guid><pubDate>Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:52:59 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/042988b3dcbd4b3e862607bff68ad36e.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How To Tell When Your Baby Is Tired]]></title><description><![CDATA[A common question parents ask is: “How do I know when my baby is tired?” And we often say something like: red eyebrows, eye rubbing, yawning, fussing. Classic tired signs. Those signs can be super helpful, but they’re only part of the story. Babies aren’t robots, and sleep doesn’t always follow "the routine". Understanding how sleep pressure builds, how feeding and closeness play a role, and how flexible rest fits into real life can make this so much easier. Let’s zoom out. Being Tired Isn’t...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/how-to-tell-when-your-baby-is-tired</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697fb14052cfe1bbd4167a4a</guid><pubDate>Sun, 01 Feb 2026 20:54:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/nsplsh_363108b6dd4a47309c138f4aeb2411df~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The nuances of safe milk handling]]></title><description><![CDATA[Most parents are familiar with the basic breastmilk storage guidelines, like how long milk can sit at room temperature, how many days it can stay in the refrigerator, and when it should be frozen. Organizations like La Leche League  and The Breastfeeding Network provide excellent foundational guidance on this and they are resources I personally rely on. Where families often need more support, however, is in the grey areas - the real life situations that don’t always fit neatly into a chart....]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/the-nuances-of-safe-milk-handling</link><guid isPermaLink="false">697cc439edc54b0f0ac94806</guid><pubDate>Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:52:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_f8f6554b305c4a899204495bb63c0bc3~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Positioning, Positioning, Positioning]]></title><description><![CDATA[The secret to more comfortable breastfeeding is positioning , positioning , positioning . This is what you should work on FIRST, before ever trying to latch a baby. Before I attempt to help latch a baby in my practice, I always make sure that mum is comfortable and supported - because if not, this is not going to last long. With my first baby, I did the whole leaning over, breastfeeding pillow, sitting upright, a billion pillows tucked in everywhere and it just always left me uncomfortable,...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/positioning-positioning-positioning</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69670121bbaf501a67d69470</guid><pubDate>Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:56:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/1fad1a486c04406fbce80b8fac4d37cd.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Does Research Actually Support Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes?]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you're preparing for the arrival of your baby, there's a good chance you're focused on the birth - and that’s important, don't get me...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/does-research-actually-support-prenatal-breastfeeding-classes</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bdfa8acb0467d4eabd9214</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:41:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_614e59f584b64dd693962dbdadd9f5d2~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finding Your Flow: A Gentle Guide to Hand Expressing Breast Milk]]></title><description><![CDATA[So, when it comes to hand expressing breast milk, there’s truly no one-size-fits-all method - and that’s okay. Every body is different,...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/finding-your-flow-a-gentle-guide-to-hand-expressing-breast-milk</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bdf058cb0467d4eabd72e0</guid><pubDate>Sun, 07 Sep 2025 21:06:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_11b3c7d2eebd45d9bd9c90be37b8ca9b~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Koala Hold: A Very Underrated Awkward Looking Breastfeeding Position]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’ve ever breastfed a baby who pops off the breast frequently, coughs mid-feed, or grunts like a tiny goat - allow me to introduce...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/the-koala-hold-a-very-underrated-awkward-looking-breastfeeding-position</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bb884fa18887303bf691d2</guid><pubDate>Sat, 06 Sep 2025 01:28:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_67b51f05de2f4676a4faeace1ae8b3f2~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[In Defence of Contact Naps: Why Lying Down with Your Baby Is Time Well Spent]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s talk about the contact nap. Also known as:    ✨ The laundry can wait    ✨ The dishes are not your priority    ✨ The reason you...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/in-defence-of-contact-naps-why-lying-down-with-your-baby-is-time-well-spent</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bb1ba89a55cde6192819a7</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 17:51:14 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_7db736d7348b43ac894ebf79256c2023~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Breastmilk, Backpacks, and Boogers: Flu Season Survival for New Moms]]></title><description><![CDATA[It’s officially that time of year - the leaves are turning, backpacks are packed, and bam , someone’s already sneezing at drop-off. If you're a brand new mom (especially to a newborn and  older kids), you're probably riding that wave of back-to-school chaos with a touch of panic and a bottle of hand sanitizer in every room. First: you are not alone. Second: it’s okay to be a little stressed about flu season. Especially when your precious little one is still in that squishy, sleepy, highly...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/breastmilk-backpacks-and-boogers-flu-season-survival-for-new-moms</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68bb0a55a18887303bf59057</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 16:11:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_fae2214b695b4952be70d8cb83b0ea83~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Products That Are NOT Worth Buying, From Someone Who Knows]]></title><description><![CDATA[Nothing says welcome to motherhood   quite like spending $50 on a tiny metal nipple cap or washing milk-soaked pads at 2 a.m. while your...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/products-that-are-not-worth-buying-from-someone-who-is-constantly-in-new-mom-s-homes-and-who-has-k</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ba495db8338a1ae194f3d0</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 02:22:24 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Tips for Surviving the First Week Postpartum]]></title><description><![CDATA[The first week after having a baby can feel like time is both standing still and speeding by in a blurry, leaky haze. If you’re freshly...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/5-tips-for-surviving-the-first-week-postpartum</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ba2df6a18887303bf3734f</guid><pubDate>Fri, 05 Sep 2025 00:39:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_8867a5c0967a49cda840154c91517ab4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Safe Sleep Seven: Or How to Co-Sleep Without Totally Losing Sleep (or Your Mind)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s face it, if you’re reading this in the middle of the night, while your baby is suctioned to your boob like a sleepy barnacle and...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/safe-sleep-seven-or-how-to-co-sleep-without-totally-losing-sleep-or-your-mind</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68ba13af98886589b9fc3a8a</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 22:49:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0f5a2b_da74fae4b7524e1381224dc2767ea6b3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Unexpectedly "Essential" Ways to Use Your Baby Carrier (Besides, You Know, Carrying a Baby) ]]></title><description><![CDATA[Because nothing screams calm cozy parenthood like RSV season, a toddler tantrum in a waiting room, and sweat pooling in places you haven't ever sweat before 1. As a Human Shield at the Pediatrician's Office Ah, yes. The pediatrician’s office. A delightful germ pool where everyone coughs directly into the air like it's an Olympic sport. You’re there with your older two kids who are hacking up lungs, and you’re 98% sure your baby will be next, despite your full-body attempts to create a barrier...]]></description><link>https://heldbynicole.wixsite.com/held-together/post/5-unexpectedly-essential-ways-to-use-your-baby-carrier-besides-you-know-carrying-a-baby</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b9dfea98886589b9fbbe1d</guid><pubDate>Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:05:19 GMT</pubDate><dc:creator>heldbynicole</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>