How to Find a Breastfeeding Support Group

While breastfeeding is a natural process, many women struggle for the first few weeks. But a breastfeeding support group, a place where women can go to be around other breastfeeding mother's sharing their wisdom, can help with any issues can that come up. A breastfeeding support group can be invaluable for many women as they deal with breastfeeding for the first time.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Call your birthing facility. Many birthing facilities now offer breastfeeding support groups that meet weekly or bi-monthly for free. If your hospital doesn't offer a breastfeeding support group, they may offer a newborn parenting group that may help you with any breastfeeding issues.

2. Go to La Leche League's website. La Leche League offers monthly or bimonthly meetings in every major city worldwide. La Leche League also has a great deal of information about breastfeeding. The people at the meetings are all breastfeeding moms or people who support breastfeeding. The meetings are lead by a La Leche League Leader trained in helping women to breastfeed successfully.

3. Speak to your pediatrician, obstetrician, gynecologist, general practitioner, doula or childbirth educator about finding a support group in your local area. Many breastfeeding proponents will start their own local support groups, and birthing professionals often know about these groups.

4. Get in touch with Nursing Mother's Alliance, Nursing Mother's Inc or Nursing Mother's Advisory Council about joining a breastfeeding support group if you live in the New England area.

5. Contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association for a support group if you live in Australia.

6. Talk to the Breastfeeding Network, National Birth Trust or the Association of Breastfeeding mothers if you live in the United Kingdom.

Tips & Warnings

• In the United States, La Leche League will probably be the easiest breastfeeding support group to find.

Resources

• Australian Breastfeeding Association
• The Breastfeeding Network in the United Kingdom offers Breastfeeding Support.
• Go to The National Birth Trust for a group in the United Kingdom.
• The Association of Breastfeeding offers breastfeeding support groups.
• The Nursing Mother's Alliance in New England offers groups.
• Go to Nursing Mothers Inc. for a breastfeeding support group.
• La Leche League offers breastfeeding support groups.

[srobbins]

on 3/11/2009 Good info. I think it's important to find people who can help. It's tough at first but its worth the effort.

[not4ureyes2c]

on 11/13/2008 I think finding and knowing where to go for breastfeeding support is very important. I was lucky enough to have the support from my husband and was able to chat in different groups online. The more you know the more successful you'll be. There are many lies and wrong information out there and you should be prepared to hear them all!
http://crazymommy.today.com

[janzeiger]

on 10/24/2007 Great info. Thanks!