Breastfeeding isn't always intuitive, yet many parents feel pressured to do it perfectly. Sometimes I meet a new parent who says, exasperated, “I didn’t think it would be this hard!” And it's not that she's lazy, that her body is broken, or that she's doing anything wrong - it's that the way we live today, the way we structure our lives and our society, means we've lost the community and shared knowledge that make this easier. Of course it feels hard. She's just done something enormous -...

Hand expression is a simple, hands-on skill that can make a big difference at every stage of breastfeeding. It helps you collect colostrum before birth, boost supply in the early days, and relieve fullness anytime—no pump needed. Learning it builds confidence and connection with your body. You already have everything you need: your hands, your body, and a little guidance.

With the right guidance, a Nipple Shield can be a helpful tool, especially in the early days of breastfeeding.