In case you aren’t fully abreast, the first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week. This annual celebration of all-things motherhood encourages people across 170 nations to host local events that aim to get people buzzing about nursing—from discussing the benefits to shopping for post-birth supplies to answering new mama queries.
In honor of World Breastfeeding Week, we’ve compiled some top resources to make sure your
breastfeeding experiences only suck the way they’re supposed to!
LACTATION LOCATIONS
BOING BOING
The country’s first dedicated breastfeeding and babywearing boutique, BOING BOING stocks only parent-tested and store-approved products for new parents. This Park Slope boutique has been an invaluable resources for New York parents for the past 16 years. The sister store, boing! frequently hosts new moms groups and breastfeeding classes to answer any and all questions that a new mother may have on her challenging and rewearding journey. boingboingmaternity.com
Caribou Baby
Caribou Baby in Brooklyn sells baby supplies and toys focused on simple and healthy living, in addition to hosting events and expert-led classes like breastfeeding support, prenatal yoga, prenatal and post-pregnancy Pilates and postpartum support groups. Check out the store’s very full calendar online! cariboubaby.com
La Leche League
The League is an international organization that supports and educates nursing women around the globe. They host informal meetings throughout the year to offer dialogue, advice and support to breastfeeding or wannabe-nursing moms at locations throughout the boroughs. Moms are welcome to bring their children, and special sessions are offered for mothers of toddlers, twins and working mothers. Sessions focus on the advantages of breastfeeding, birth and the baby’s first weeks, the art of breastfeeding and troubleshooting, and weaning your child off of breast milk. Check the website or call the NYC information hotline for specific dates. 212-569-6036, lllusa.org
Metro Minis
Metro Minis on the Upper East Side will educate parents in everything from babywearing and wrapping to having a fearless childbirth and elimination communication. In addition to hosting workshops, the store sells everything from cloth diapers to toys and books. metrominis.com
Mom Prep
Envisioned by the maternity maven Rosie Pope, Mom Prep provides comprehensive education for expectant and new moms and addresses prenatal, postpartum and general wellness concerns. Prenatal breastfeeding classes can be taken by individuals or couples and will prep participants for the adventure of breastfeeding— teaching them how to get off to a good start, pump at work, and the mechanics of milk production, weaning and more. Is a private session more your thing? You can arrange one at a convenient time and location as well. 1316 Madison Avenue at 93rd Street, 212-4232-5815, rosiepopmaternity.com/momprep
Tribeca Parenting
Solve the boob blues before they even start with Tribeca’s Breastfeeding Preparation class. All 3-hour classes are taught by International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Counselors and cover topics from proper latch and positioning, to common problems and how to avoid them, plus diet and nutrition concerns while breastfeeding. If you can’t make it to a preparation class but start breastfeeding (and find yourself with questions or wanting to commiserate), Tribeca offers Breastfeeding Support Clinics, where moms can meet in a group setting to dialogue and discuss plans for managing their specific problems with an IBCLC. Various locations throughout NYC, 646-863-4500, tribecaparenting.com
The Upper Breast Side
Swing by The Upper Breast Side for a quick stop at the bar—The Milk Bar, that is! The Milk Bar eases the quest for the perfect pump, giving moms a chance to test breast pumps before they purchase or rent them. Staff members are always on hand to provide consultation and instruction on pump use. The store also sells nursing wear, nursing bras (with personal fittings), pump accessories, nursing pillows, breastfeeding books, and gifts for moms and their babies. If you’re on-the-go and forget to bring your pump, you can always give the store a ring and someone will deliver your pump anywhere in Manhattan below 99th135 West 70th
Street, 212-873-2653, upperbreastside.com
Yummy Mummy
Much more than a store, Yummy Mummy has a ton of resources for milky moms. They sell everything from special nursing bras to breast soothers to nursing pillows to breast pumps (for sale and for rent). Its salespeople pay close attention to you as you shop to help you meet all your needs, however robust. Yummy Mummy’s website also includes a shopping guide to help moms figure out what they need and where they can get it, and if that’s not enough, they can sign up for weekly newsletters from International Board Certified Lactation Consultant-approved Melissa Nagin. Yummy Mummy also hosts support groups for breastfeeding moms as well as prenatal yoga classes, stroller workouts and weekly brown-bag lunches for led by lactation counselor Sara Newman. 1201 Lexington Avenue, 212-87-YUMMY, yummymummystore.com
ASK THE EXPERTS
Beverly Solow
Beverly provides home consultations and works with mothers to make the breastfeeding process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. She reviews breastfeeding techniques and helps refine yours, teaching you how to read your baby’s cues while feeding. She weighs babies before and after a feeding to ensure they are getting adequate milk and discusses how to increase milk production, if that is an issue. After the appointment, she provides you with a summary of the consultation and a written plan to help you meet your goals. You can also attend one of Beverly’s support group meetings. 212-567-1112, bevsolow.com
Maire Clements
Maire developed the Conscious Breastfeeding Approach, which gives mothers a comprehensive understanding of their bodies so they can optimize their nursing experiences. Three ideas form the foundation of the approach: each mother/baby pair is unique, emphasis should be on breastfeeding and not on gadgets and the foundation for all breastfeeding is a pain-free latch. Maire teaches a breastfeeding class at Roosevelt Hospital and does private and semi-private consultations for mothers who feel sore, tired or overwhelmed by breastfeeding. 212-595-4797, thebreastfeedingsalon.com
Kathy Lilleskov
Kathy provides home consultations and approaches each mother’s needs individually. She will offer advice on the phone before appointments and takes follow-up emails and phone calls after the consultation if you still have questions or concerns. She has a reassuring manner that helps patients relax and allows them to solve feeding fiascos together. 718-768-1767
TIP: Breast pump companies like Medela (800-835-5698) and Hollister (800-323-8750) can help you find local lactation consultants, and you can search for consultants in your area on the International Lactation Consultant Association’s website.
TRICKS OF THE TRADE
1. Start right away.
You can begin to breastfeed within an hour after you give birth. Although your breasts won’t contain milk yet, they will have colostrum, which contains disease antibodies.
2. Air them out.
Air-dry your nipples after your baby is done nursing to prevent painful cracking.
3. Positioning is key.
Your baby’s mouth should be wide open while he nurses and the nipple should be as far back into his mouth as possible.
4. Engorgement is okay.
If your breasts become bigger, harder, and painful after you first start nursing, don’t worry. Your body needs time to figure out how much milk your baby needs. You can take over-the-counter pain relievers, apply warm, wet compresses to your breasts, or soak in warm baths until your body adjusts.
5. Don’t practice addition.
Your baby won’t need formula or sugar water if he’s getting breast milk. Supplements reduce a baby’s appetite for nursing, which reduces the amount of milk the mother produces.
6. Stay well.
Eat 500 EXTRA calories a day, eat a balanced diet and drink six to eight glasses of fluid to stay on a healthy milk production cycle. Be sure to get enough rest to help prevent breast infections.
–Compiled from yummymummystore.com
