Rising Moon Midwifery

Breastfeeding

Please attend a series of La Leche League meetings before the birth of your baby. LLL is considered the foremost authority on Breastfeeding and is an International Non-profit Organization. Meetings are free and require no registration. Here you will meet other mothers whom have breastfed, make new friends and learn the most up-to-date information on breastfeeding. They have lending libraries full of books on breastfeeding, birth, and baby care. LLL leaders are volunteers that have been accredited by LLLI and have nursed their own children for at least one year. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least six months of exclusive breastfeeding, minimum of one year with complimentary foods and as long thereafter as mutually desired. The World Health Organization suggests at least two years of breastfeeding.

La Leche League – monthly meetings and phone help

Lactation Consultants/Breast Pumps

LCs are board certified lactation specialists that have passed an exam demonstrating in depth knowledge of breastfeeding. They should be contacted if you feel breastfeeding is not going well, your baby is not gaining weight, not latching correctly or any other in depth issue that would require a visit. Most LCs have office visits and may also do home visits. Fees vary, but are nominal when compared to the costs involved in bottle feeding a baby. Breastfeeding has too many emotional, environmental and health benefits to mention- so anything necessary to get it going well is worth the time and effort. Not every breastfeeding mom needs a breast pump, but if you are in need of one or are returning to work it is very important to have a good quality one. Not all breast pumps are equal. Getting one from an LC is the best way to get a top quality breast pump.