An Overview of Breastfeeding for New Parents

Thrive • August 18, 2021

Choosing whether to breastfeed your baby is a highly personal decision. Among other factors, new parents must consider how breastfeeding will affect their own mental and physical health, overall lifestyle, and relationship with their baby. 

Thrive’s Perinatal Program Clinical Lead and Therapist, Amanda Boe, MFT-Intern, advises breastfeeding parents to expect “both beautiful and difficult moments.” She says, “There are so many different pieces to breastfeeding that range from painful – both physically and emotionally – to really beautiful and convenient.”

BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING

If you’re considering breastfeeding your baby, there are many benefits to the approach. We’ve laid out a few for you below.

Breast milk helps your baby develop a strong immune system.  

Colostrum is the initial milk produced by birthing parents. A superfood for your newborn, the thick yellow milk is concentrated with nutrients and antibodies. As your milk changes to meet the needs of your baby’s development, it continues to contain antibodies that help prevent infection. The proteins, fats, sugars, and white blood cells in mature breast milk also work together to help your baby develop a healthy immune system and balanced inflammatory response. 

Breastfeeding allows babies to gain weight healthily.

Babies who breastfeed can easily self-regulate their milk intake. As a result, they become highly aware of their hunger and fullness cues, which can foster intuitive eating as they mature. Breast milk also promotes healthy gut bacteria and leptin which can affect fat storage. 

Breastfeeding releases feel-good hormones for new parents.

Breastfeeding parents experience prolactin and oxytocin hormones that help them relax and bond with their baby. These feel-good hormones can reduce the risk of developing perinatal mental health struggles .

FOUR TIPS FOR FIRST-TIME BREASTFEEDERS

Though breastfeeding is natural, there may be a learning curve for both new parents and their babies. Below are some tips to help you along your breastfeeding journey.

1 — Expect to experience different stages of breastfeeding.

Your breast milk will consist of colostrum exclusively for the first two to five days following birth. As your baby’s stomach develops, your body will begin producing transitional milk, which is thinner and contains less colostrum. At around day ten, your body will begin producing mature milk, which looks similar to watery skim milk and is packed with nourishing elements. Your baby’s feeding will also adapt to each stage as their stomach expands.

2 — Practice patience, perseverance, and exploring different positions.

Breastfeeding can be challenging and lead to self-doubt for some new parents. Getting your baby to latch on might not be seamless at first. Be patient with yourself and keep trying. Experiment with different breastfeeding positions to find what is most comfortable for you and your baby. Some options include:

  • Cradle hold: Cradle your baby’s head in the nook of your elbow on the same side you’ll nurse from. Place a pillow on your lap for extra support.
  • Crossover hold (also known as cross-cradle hold): Hold your baby in the crook of the arm opposite your nursing breast while supporting their head with your hand. (Right hand and arm for left breast or vice versa.) Support your nursing breast from the underside with your other hand.
  • Laid-back breastfeeding: Recline and allow gravity to take over while you cuddle your baby. 
  • Football hold (also known as clutch hold): Hold your baby like a football with their feet tucked under the arm on the same side of your nursing breast. Support their back with your forearm and their head with your palm.
  • Side-lying position: Lie on your side with your baby facing you. Use a pillow to support your own head and allow another pillow to support your baby’s back.

3 — Take care of yourself.

At Thrive, we like to say that new parents have to put their oxygen masks on first. In other words, new parents must take care of themselves so they can be physically and mentally healthy enough to care for their babies. Breastfeeding parents should stay hydrated, take postnatal vitamins, and eat a nutrient-rich diet, so they can nourish their babies.

4 — Consider taking advantage of breastfeeding resources.

Consider reaching out to a lactation consultant or new parent support group for breastfeeding support. Speaking of her own breastfeeding journey, Boe says, “I waited five months to see a lactation consultant and it completely shifted my breastfeeding journey. I wish I would have sought help sooner.” 

BREASTFEEDING AND MENTAL HEALTH

Boe says, “The experience of breastfeeding is different for everyone. Honor your own choices and experiences.” 

Thrive supports all new parents on their feeding journeys — whatever they may entail. We understand that breastfeeding is not for everyone, and there are resources for those who need to explore alternatives. Feel free to reach out to us for guidance as you navigate new parenthood and your options for nourishing your baby. Our perinatal specialists can help you joyfully and confidently embrace new parenthood. 

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December 2, 2025
Like the fir tree, a symbol of endurance rooted in hope, our Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR) approach reflects the strength that grows when families face challenges together. At our new residential center “The Greenhouse”, FIR is more than a treatment model, it’s a philosophy of healing that places families at the heart of recovery for adolescents and young adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). We believe lasting healing doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s built with the support of families through perseverance, hope, and compassionate care. What Is Family Inclusive Recovery (FIR)? Family Intensive Recovery (FIR) is a specialized and immersive approach that actively engages caregivers as central agents in their child’s healing process. Rather than seeing families as contributors to a problem, we view them as essential partners in recovery. Drawing from two evidence-based frameworks, Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions (SPACE) and Family-Based Treatment (FBT), FIR helps families cultivate resilience, confidence, and connection throughout the journey to recovery. Grounded in SPACE and FBT Through the SPACE model, parents learn how to recognize and reduce well-intentioned but unhelpful behaviors known as accommodations that can reinforce anxiety and OCD symptoms. By shifting from rescuing to supporting and challenging, parents develop the confidence to guide their child through discomfort, helping them build distress tolerance and self-trust. Simultaneously, Family-Based Treatment (FBT) empowers families to take an active, compassionate role in their child’s nutritional and emotional recovery. Parents learn how to support weight and nutritional restoration, disrupt the eating disorder’s patterns, and reestablish boundaries that promote health and growing autonomy. Together, these approaches strengthen both the individual and family system, allowing recovery to take root within an environment of empathy and optimism. From Blame to Collaboration A cornerstone of the FIR model is removing blame. At Thrive, parents are not viewed as the cause of their child’s struggles, but rather as key partners in recovery. Treatment focuses on joining forces to create a safe, supportive environment where: Families learn to sit with their child's discomfort alongside them without rushing to fix or control it. Parents practice compassionate firmness, setting boundaries grounded in care and safety. Teens and caregivers rebuild trust through open, honest communication. This collaborative framework helps families reestablish a sense of connection and confidence, fostering long-term resilience and open communication that extends beyond the treatment setting. Why Family Matters in Recovery Recovery from eating disorders, OCD, or anxiety isn’t a one-person job, it requires integrated care including the family. When families learn to navigate challenges together, they can model emotional regulation, reinforce healthy boundaries, and create conditions for sustained recovery. Through FIR, we aim to strengthen attachment bonds, reshape family interactions, and empower every member of the family to grow. The result is not only symptom reduction but also a deeper sense of unity, hope, and shared endurance, just like the steadfast fir tree that stands resilient through every season. Moving Toward Hope Family Inclusive Recovery invites caregivers and loved ones to become active participants in change. It’s a journey of learning, letting go, and leaning into love and acceptance. Together, families and clinicians can cultivate the courage in clients to face uncertainty, and in doing so, help them discover that recovery is not just possible, but enduring. If you’d like to learn more about Family Intensive Recovery at The Greenhouse or how we support families in eating disorder and OCD treatment, reach out to our team today.
November 14, 2025
The Greenhouse at Thrive Wellness A New Chapter of Hope and Healing in Nevada On Friday, November 14 , we gathered with our partners at Molina Healthcare to share an important moment for our community. Together, we celebrated Molina’s generous $50,000 grant , an investment that is helping bring The Greenhouse to life. Their support is not only a financial contribution—it’s a statement of belief in the young people and families of Nevada who deserve access to compassionate, evidence-based mental healthcare close to home. This gathering marked the beginning of something we’ve dreamed about for years: a place designed specifically for adolescents and emerging adults to receive the care, connection, and support they need during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Something New Is Growing In early 2026 , Thrive Wellness will open The Greenhouse , Nevada’s first residential treatment center devoted to adolescents and emerging adults navigating eating disorders, anxiety, and OCD . For too long, families have faced a heartbreaking dilemma—send their child far from home for treatment or go without the specialized care they need. The Greenhouse is our answer to that gap. It will be a place where young people can settle into an environment built for healing, where they are understood, supported, and surrounded by a team that believes in their capacity to recover. The Greenhouse represents a natural extension of our mission. It’s a living expression of our belief that recovery is possible—and that with the right support, families can find their footing again. 
November 11, 2025
Are you looking for a meaningful way to give back this holiday season? Thrive Wellness is excited to continue our 6th Annual Giving Tree Program in collaboration with Perenn Bakery this winter. This year, Thrive Wellness Reno and Perenn Bakery are proud to partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Northern Nevada. The organization supports families with children receiving treatment at area hospitals, providing comfort, hope, and a home-away-from-home during challenging times. Ronald McDonald House Charities offers essential services, removes barriers, strengthens families, and promotes healing when children need healthcare the most. How It Works Simply take one (or a few) tags from the Giving Tree, each listing an item you can purchase and donate for residents of the Ronald McDonald House. Then, drop off your item(s) at one of our designated donation locations by Friday, December 19. Items Needed: Restaurant gift cards Walmart or Target gift cards Games, puzzles, and coloring books Toys (Barbie, Hot Wheels, Lego sets, craft sets, magnet blocks, baby dolls, action figures, journals, infant toys, etc.) Children's books (picture, chapter, and graphic novels) Toiletry sets (for adults) Lotion/self-care gift sets (for adults) Sweatshirts/hoodies (adults, XS-XXL) Scarves, gloves, fuzzy socks, pajamas (all sizes) Infant diapers, onesies, and baby bottles Bulk individually wrapped snacks (granola bars, chips, etc.) Please ensure all donations are new, in original packaging, and unwrapped. Donation Drop-Off Locations Please deliver donations by Friday, December 19, to one of the following sites: Thrive Wellness 201 W Liberty St., Suite 201, Reno, NV 89501 Perenn Grocery 7600 Rancharrah Pkwy, Suite 130, Reno, NV 89511 The first 50 people to return their donations will receive a complimentary ornament gift!  Why We Give Back Through our Giving Tree program, we’re honoring one of our core values at Thrive Wellness: staying rooted in community. This annual tradition allows us to give back to those who need support most during the holiday season. We invite you to join us by taking a tag at any Thrive or Perenn location and helping spread kindness throughout our community. There’s no better way to embrace the holiday spirit than by supporting local families with thoughtful, heartfelt donations. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and continued support. Thank you for helping us make a difference!
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