The November Meeting

The November meeting for Alabama Lactation Support will be on November 17th  at 9am. We will be meeting again at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Helena. Please click here for address and directions. Our main topics will be newborn care and the breastfeeding relationship and "How do I know my baby is getting enough milk?" 

Our October meeting in Shelby County....

Come on out and support breastfeeding moms. Our October meeting will be held at Trinity Church of the Nazarene in Helena. We will be discussing how breastmilk meets the nutritional need of infants on individual levels. We will also be discussing how to balance pumping and bottle feeding with encouraging breastfeeding. Any other questions or concerns will be encouraged to be shared. Children of all ages will be welcome. The setting is family friendly and snacks will be offered. Come out and join us at anytime between 9am and noon!

Our first meeting....

We met a mom with her second child. He is 5 weeks old and nursing like a pro! Keep up the good work.

First Meeting!!!

We are going to squeeze our first breastfeeding support group sponsored by Alabama Lactation Support in the month of September! It will be on September 30th at 9am at Cahaba Lily Park in Helena (please click the link for directions and pictures of the park). There is a large playground and swing area away from busy roads. The big kids will be able to run and play as moms and professionals get to explore the challenges and rewards of breastfeeding and supporting nursing mothers. There are clean bathrooms located at the park and pavillions for the meeting. Of course we may all end up on a blanket in the grass with the kids.

The topic of this meeting will be mainly a meet and greet of those who attend. We will also be talking about the resources available in the community to nursing mothers. I will be forming a list here on this blog of those resources and encourage anyone to add new resources as they are discovered.

Breastfeeding Support Groups Starting in Shelby and Jefferson Counties

Starting soon, hopefully next month, breastfeeding support groups will be beginning in Shelby and Jefferson Counties. They will be led by a Certified Lactation Counselor and / or Postpartum Doula. Every mother, mother to be, and any others supportive of breastfeeding are welcome to attend. Topics will be chosen for each meeting but each meeting will also be guided by the individuals that attend. Birth professionals such as, labor and delivery nurses, postpartum nurses, doulas, certified lactation counselors, registered dietitians, nutritionists, herbalists, and international board certified lactation consultants  are welcome to attend. For a small fee certain meetings will be offered to professionals for continuing education hours or CEUs. As always mothers are invited to attend for free. Children of all ages are welcome to attend. If you have multiple children and need extra assistance in the form of childcare please contact Susan Betke to arrange mothers' helpers. I am a mother of 7 and I understand the need for new mothers to interact with others but also to keep their children near. Please contact Susan Betke (me) through this site for more information. We can also be found on Facebook for more information about meeting times.

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine

The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is a wonderful resource for mothers and especially professionals working with lactating mothers and their children. It is a rich evidence based resource for information on lactation. It is a wonderful easy way to access the research available to back up what we all want mothers and the public at large to know. Check it out and perhaps become a member.....

Doesn't every CLC need this?

I really want to order one of these or maybe two. They would have looked great on while I was teaching my breastfeeding class. They are simple and just plain cute. And, as my 12 year old daughter said, "Now, that is not an inverted nipple".

Click on this photo to go buy your own!

One of my new favorites....

This book is becoming one of my favorite breastfeeding books. It is such a nice way to transition into weaning at night with your toddler.....



click the picture to buy the book or just get more information from the author



My first breastfeeding class...

Well, I did it. I taught my first breastfeeding class yesterday to a wonderful group of doulas, doulas in training, and childbirth educators. I am so proud to be a small part in the community to help mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals.

Oh yeah!! And I have some official business cards.