Monadnock Perinatal

03/13/2026

Position for feeding at breast from an IBCLC and mom of including twins!

“The front” or better known as the Koala Hold - best for older littles that have better back support!

“The back” or better known as the Football or Clutch hold - best for mothers of cesareans or with larger breasts for less pressure on belly and better visual and breast control!

“The side” or better known as the cradle position. Often the most fed position with the infinite laying sideways draped over Mother’s belly supported by the same arm to same side breast.

“The top” or better known as you likely have a toddler nursing. Just ask me I have a picture floating around somewhere with one of my twins nursing from above!

“The bottom” or better known as laid-back or biological feeding. This is by far my most favorite feed as this allows the mother to relax and giving the baby better control.

Pro tip : and whatever position you and your baby feel most comfortable it’s important to make sure that they’re using great alignment. Using the rule of thumb that their ear shoulder and hip should be in the line and their belly should be rolled towards your belly!

In need of more in depth support reach out for IBCLC support today!!

03/13/2026

That feeling you get after supporting another local family!

03/09/2026

I’m incredibly honored and grateful to share that Monadnock Perinatal has been nominated for the 2026 Keene Sentinel Choice Awards in the category People & Places – Alternative/Holistic Provider.

Supporting families through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum season is truly the work of my heart. Every family who invites me into their journey — whether through childbirth education, doula support, breastfeeding guidance, or postpartum care — is the reason this work matters so deeply to me.

To be recognized alongside so many wonderful providers in our community is such a meaningful reminder of how strong and supportive the Monadnock region is for growing families.

Thank you for your nominations and your votes — I appreciate every single one of you! Your support, kind words, and referrals allow me to continue doing work that I care so deeply about.

If you’d like to support Monadnock Perinatal, you can cast your vote here:
https://www.keenesentinel.com/choice_awards/choice_awards_2026/ #/gallery/?group=534841

03/03/2026

Integrative Clinical Approaches in Perinatal Herbal Care, Lactation, and Infant Oral Function 🌿🤱

Join Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC and Ashley Norris, IBCLC for this in person one day event in the beautiful city of Keene, New Hampshire.

Event informaiton:
Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026
Time: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Location: Hannah Grimes Center, 25 Roxbury St, Keene, NH 03431
Max attendees: 75
Registration Fees (includes CERPs):
Early bird by 7/31/26: $300
After 7/31/26: $350
6.25 IBLCE L-CERPs applied for

Registration Information:
https://www.lunalactation.com/for-health-professionals/upcoming-events-and-workshops/integrative-clinical-approaches-new-hampshire/

02/28/2026

Girl…..

This is most beautiful cord keepsake 🫶

Placenta Stats
Gestational Age: 37.1 weeks
State: New Hampshire
Birth Place: Dartmouth Lebanon
Placenta Weight: N/A - print obtained in hospital
Package: Print/Keepsake only w/floral print
Capsule count: 0

This client had originally hoped for a full package but due to some medical concerns there was a change in plans - as her doula as placenta specialist I had everything on hand to obtain the prints in hospital and finish the print/keepsake in my processing station!

02/16/2026

Limited Seats Available For The Next Physiological Birth Class
March 15th, 2026

Ready to feel informed, prepared, and confident for birth? This comprehensive class is designed to help you understand how your body works in labor and how to navigate your options with clarity.

In this class, you’ll learn:
✔ Preparing your mind & body for birth — including stages of labor, breathing techniques, and building true birth confidence
✔ How to make informed choices & create your birth + postpartum plan
✔ What to expect postpartum — recovery, infant feeding, and newborn care
✔ You’ll receive a complete digital handbook plus additional handouts and resources at the end of class

This is not just a birth class — it’s education rooted in physiology, advocacy, and confidence-building so you walk into your birth feeling empowered.

Spots are intentionally limited to allow for connection and personalized discussion.

🔗 Reserve your seat here:
https://www.honeybook.com/widget/monadnock_perinatal_255426/cf_id/683b0b2d75713a0019b5861b

Tag a friend who’s expecting

Nurturing families in the Monadnock Region, NH and surrounding communities offering: Placenta Encapsulation, Breastfeeding Consultations, Childbirth Education, Birth/Postpartum/VBAC Doula, Cloth Diapering and Babywearing Support.

02/03/2026

Private and group classes for providers!

Did you know that I offer private classes for local providers? This could be both individual or in a group setting.

This past weekend, I joined and families in our bi-monthly Milky Way Lactation Class! normally this class is taught in person, but with a quick change of plans, we were able to switch it to a virtual class for our families to join in the comfort of their own home!

If you are interested in having a prenatal class surrounding all aspects of breastfeeding, either in a private or group setting reach out to Ashley Norris, IBCLC today!

01/28/2026

Today we honor World Breast Pumping Day

Breast pumping is feeding.
It’s love, commitment, logistics, science, and sacrifice—all wrapped into one routine that often goes unseen.

Whether you pump occasionally, exclusively, at work, overnight, or around the clock—your effort matters. Pumping supports babies, protects milk supply, and gives families flexibility while still providing human milk.

To everyone washing parts at midnight, setting alarms, advocating for pumping breaks, or figuring it out day by day: you are doing real, meaningful work.

🍼 Pumped milk is breast milk.
💧And every drop is valuable.

01/26/2026

Protein is essential during pregnancy.

Not only does it supports fetal growth (especially the brain and tissues), helps build the placenta, increases maternal blood volume, it also plays a key role in hormone and enzyme production. Adequate protein intake can also help stabilize blood sugar, support muscle preservation, and promote steady energy levels throughout pregnancy. Most pregnant people need more protein than they realize—spread consistently across the day, not just at meals.

My go to high protein snack ideas for pregnancy:
🤰 Greek yogurt + granola + berries
🤰 Cottage cheese mixed with salsa with some whole-grain crackers
🤰Cheese/meat sticks
🤰 Hummus with whole grain, crackers or veggies

01/24/2026

Yesterday was Maternal Mental Health Day, and as someone who has experienced a PPMD, following the surrogacy pregnancy loss this past October, I want to share this truth: YOUR mental health MATTERS.

✨ 1 in 5 mothers experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder (PPMD) in their pregnancy/postpartum journeys and that number rises with loss, trauma, and sleep disruption.
✨ Yet less than 50% receive treatment.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE...
I will forever be a safe person you can come to to help find the support you need.

01/23/2026

BIG news!!! 🎉✨

I’m incredibly honored (and still a little in awe) to share that I am officially New Hampshire’s FIRST licensed Birth Doula, licensed through the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC).

This is a huge step forward—not just for me, but for families across our state. Licensure brings us one step closer to accepting insurances like Medicaid; allowing us to make compassionate, continuous birth support more accessible and equitable for ALL families.

I’m so proud to be part of this progress and deeply grateful to every family, provider, and colleague who has supported this work along the way. New Hampshire birth support is evolving—and I’m honored to be walking at the front of this change.

More to come soon…

01/22/2026

Struggling with breastfeeding? 🤱

You are not failing—and you don’t have to figure this out alone.

If feeding feels painful, confusing, overwhelming, or just not how you imagined, support can make all the difference. As an board certified lactation consultant, I offer compassionate, evidence-based lactation support to help you understand your baby’s cues, improve latch and milk transfer, troubleshoot supply concerns, and build confidence in your feeding journey—without judgment.

✨ In-home and office visits available
✨ Prenatal + postpartum support
✨ Support for complex feeding situations, twins, and cesarean recovery

📅 Upcoming availability
🔗 Schedule directly through the link in my bio
📍 Serving the Monadnock Region of NH & surrounding areas including MA and VT.

You deserve feeding support that feels calm, empowering, and tailored to you.

MonadnockPerinatal