Breastfeeding Help

Nursing your infant is as natural as it gets, but it does not happen without obstacles for many women.  My first time breastfeeding was, seemingly, as painful as it gets.  My nipples were sore, cracked and bleeding.  They scabbed over and my little boy was getting my blood all over his face while he nursed.  I winced in pain with each suck.  Turns out, he wasn't latched on properly.  I called the lactation consultant at the hospital, crying, because of my bloody-faced infant.  She gently reminded me that we shared the same blood supply for 40 weeks.  I stopped crying.  She explained things to me, suggested reading and websites and things got better.  Many moms feel that if they're doing it wrong it makes them a bad mother.  Bad, no.  Inexperienced, yes.  And there's nothing wrong with being inexperienced.  Hundreds of years ago when a woman had a baby the whole family and/or community gathered around.  Women knew how to birth and nurse from watching women all around them do it for years.  Now a days, for many women, the first birth they witness is that of their first child.

Breastfeeding Support Resources


•La Leche League International
800-LA-LECHE
La Leche League volunteers answer questions and refer callers to local La Leche League leaders. You can also call (847) 519-7730 or visit www.lalecheleague.org and enter your local zip code for automatic referral to a leader near you.

•International Lactation Consultant Association
Visit http://www.ilca.org/ to locate a board-certified lactation consultant near you.

•Nursing Mothers Council
617-244-5102
NMC provides telephone counseling, pump rentals and sales, consultations and referrals, and home visits (on a limited basis, small fee may apply).

•Massachusetts WIC Nutrition Program
800-WIC-1007
WIC provides nutrition and breastfeeding counseling, nutritious foods, and health and social service referrals to eligible women, infants, and children. Call to be directed to a local WIC program in your area.

•Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition
Visit www.massbfc.org for breastfeeding information, patient materials, clinical guidelines and an on-line Breastfeeding Resource Guide, including local breastfeeding support programs.

•The Center for Breastfeeding: Healthy Children Project
1-508-888-8044
Provides breastfeeding classes, support groups, and a breastfeeding warm line (1-888-890-2229) to mothers and professionals on Cape Cod and Islands.

•National Women’s Health Information Center
Visit www.4women.gov for excellent breastfeeding education materials and professional references.
Drug Information Services

•Lactation Studies Center University of Rochester
585-275-0088

•University of California at San Diego Drug Information Service
619-543-6971

Breastpump Rental Companies

•Ameda-Egnell/Hollister
800-323-8750

•Medela, Inc.
800-435-8316
Sources for Education Materials

•WIC Nutrition Program
800-WIC-1007

•Childbirth Graphics
800-299-3366

•Noodle Soup
800-795-9295

•Health Education Associates
508-888-8044

•Lactation Associates
781-893-3553

•La Leche League International
847-519-7730