Breastfeeding Resources Local & Beyond
by Doraine Bailey
Breastfeeding may be simple and natural, but every expecting or new family needs straight information and accurate help to get started.
With books, videos, baby clubs and Internet websites, blogs and listservs, families have more sources to turn to on breastfeeding. However, not all of that information is useful, appropriate or even accurate.
Staff from the Breastfeeding Support Services Program at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department has put together the following list of reliable breastfeeding resources.
International Board Certified Lactation Consultants
IBCLCs are the health professionals for breastfeeding. They can be found at hospitals, public health departments and in doctors’ offices.
Most hospitals that deliver babies in Central Kentucky have lactation consultants on staff. To find an IBCLC, contact your hospital, your local health department or the International
Lactation Consultant Association (www.ilca.org or 859-288-2348).
Prenatal Breastfeeding Classes
Area hospitals that deliver babies generally offer breastfeeding “how to” classes for pregnant families through their childbirth education programs. Contact your hospital to get a schedule.
Prenatal breastfeeding classes are also offered monthly in Lexington at Baby Moon (420-6262), Babies R Us (263-8598), and the Health Department (288-2395).
Breastfeeding Support Groups
Mother-to-mother support groups give expecting or new moms an opportunity to meet other mothers and chat about the challenges and rewards of breastfeeding and parenting.
Meetings are free and open to families throughout Central Kentucky
* La Leche League: Offers two different meetings each month at Baby Moon, 2891 Richmond Road, Lexington. Free. Info: Ruth at 559-8488 or www.baby-moon.org/breastfeeding.html
For other groups in Kentucky, visit www.llleus.org/state/Kentucky.html or phone (800) La-Leche.
* Berea Mother’s Forum: Meets weekly in Berea. Info: Betsy at (859) 779-0223.
The Internet
* www.breastfeedinglink.org
Lactation Improvement Network of Kentucky (LINK)
* www.lalecheleague.org
La Leche League International
* www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/default.aspx
American Academy of Pediatrics breastfeeding information
* http://mochamoms.org
Specifically for African-American moms
* www.secretsofbabybehavior.com
Blog all about how babies work
* www.mothernurtureky.com
Lexington boutique and blog
* www.breastfeeding.com
* www.kellymom.com
To Your Phone
www.text4baby.org
Free messages texted to you during pregnancy and motherhood
* The iTunes Store also offers a number of helpful apps on breastfeeding.
Doraine Bailey, MA, IBCLC, is the Breastfeeding Support Services Program Coordinator at the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. Contact her at 288-2348 or at dorainef.bailey@ky.gov.