Breastfeeding Support and Encouragement
Are you an expectant mother who is trying to decide whether or not to breastfeed your baby? Or maybe you're a breastfeeding mother who is trying to remember why she even started breastfeeding in the first place? Either way, you have come to the right place for encouragement and support. Breastfeeding may at times seem like the hardest thing you will ever do. But in so many ways, it's also the best thing you can do for yourself and your baby. No doubt you have heard about the benefits of breastfeeding and that it will make your baby healthier. It’s true. The colostrum in the breast milk that you produce when your baby is first born has a laxative and protective effect on your infant's stomach and intestinal lining. The milk that comes in a few days later is specific to your baby, and is based on the infant’s gestational age and your ethnicity. It also changes constantly to accommodate his or her growing nutritional needs, whereas formula remains the same for 12 months.
As a benefit of breastfeeding, your baby will have better cholesterol control and increased visual acuity, as well as being developmentally ahead of formula fed babies the same age! Not only do breastfed babies fewer illnesses and ear infections than bottle fed infants, but you will be healthier too. Mothers who breastfeed have significantly lower incidence of breast cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity. Their uterus returns to its previous size and state quicker, and they have less bleeding than mothers who formula feed. In addition, breastfeeding mothers respond better to stress thanks to all the “feel good” hormones produced by lactation. And finally, breastfeeding can save your family as much as $1500 a year in formula costs, plus all the money you saved on healthcare expenses!
So give it a try, or keep going if you have already started! And if you have any problems or questions, give us a call at 401-884-8273 or 866-744-BABY. We are available for phone consultations, home lactation consultations, and even breastfeeding classes in the home or office. Get a group of pregnant friends together, and we will come to you! We can also refer you to outpatient hospital clinics and pediatricians that specialize in working with breastfeeding mothers and infants. There are also some great breastfeeding support groups in Rhode Island, which might be all that you need!
Our support group is held twice a month on Saturdays at 10am in our office in East Greenwich at 4512 Post Road. Our summer schedule of Friday afternoons will start in June. This is a great opportunity to come in and meet Kathy Moren and other new mothers, weigh your baby and get your questions answered for FREE! However, we cannot provide individual lactation consults during this time. Please call the office and schedule an appointment if you feel you need one on one consultation. Formula/bottle feeding mothers are of course welcome also! Here is the schedule for the next few months:
May 25th @ 10am
June 8th @ 10am
June 22nd @ 10am
July 13th @ 10am
July 27th @ 10am
August 10th @ 10am
August 24th @ 10am
Our other favorite Rhode Island Support Groups are listed below:
RI New Moms Connection - pregnancy, new mom, and second time around mom support groups in RI.
- Kent Memorial Hospital
Wednesdays from 10:30am to Noon. - Newport Hospital
Thursdays from 12:30-2:30pm. - South County Hospital
Every Tuesday from 9-11am. For both breastfeeding and formula feeding mothers. - La Leche League Meetings:
Multiple locations. See list below.
Providence: Meetings held the last Friday of every month from 12:15 – 2 p.m. at Rochambeau Library at 708 Hope St.
Leaders: Wendi 508-695-4835, Mimi 826-2669, Wendy 454-8712Cumberland/Lincoln: Meetings held the 2nd Tuesday from 10:30 – 12:30 at Cumberland Public Library on Diamond Hill Rd. (In Hayden Center, past the Senior Center)
Leaders: Patty 333-2275, Stefanie 597-5615, Jennifer (phone only) 765-3542Somerset, MA: Meetings held the 2nd Tues. at 10 a.m. at Somerset Public Library
Leaders: Jamelle 508-672-9272, Priscilla 508-455-2035, Polly 508-673-5975, Karin 508-822-2279Warwick: Meetings held 2nd Saturday from 1-2:30 at Bellani Maternity, on Rte. 2 in Staples Plaza.
Leaders: Mimi 826-2669, Crystal 667-7369North Kingstown: Meetings held 1st or 2nd Tuesday (call leader, library, or check website) from 10-12 at N. Kingstown Library on Boone Rd.
Leaders: Mimi 826-2669, Crystal 667-7369