La Leche League USA (lllusa.org) is an important part of the international La Leche League, which helps mothers all over the world as they navigate the journey of successful breastfeeding for their newborns.
With several chapters in the North State, La Leche League offers free meetings and lots of important information for families to help them reach their nursing goals. Meetings are organized by “leaders” – trained parent volunteers who offer free information and support to anyone with breastfeeding, pumping and human milk feeding questions or concerns. The leaders are experienced with breastfeeding and accredited by La Leche League International.
With North State chapters in Redding, Red Bluff and Chico, as well as online and phone support for mothers in other local areas, La Leche League offers valuable support between meetings for breastfeeding challenges, such as positioning and latch, being sure your baby is getting enough milk, soreness, pumping and milk storage and so much more!
“When I brought my first baby home from the hospital, he struggled to latch on,” says Mount Shasta resident Stacey Leigh. “I didn’t know what was wrong. He would try to latch, fail, then cry. It was so scary and frustrating. A friend suggested I call La Leche League. I did and someone from the local league came right over and helped me immediately solve the problem. I am so grateful she was willing to show up immediately to help me with my hungry baby. I was about to give up and start him on a bottle, but thanks to the kind and knowledgeable La Leche League volunteer, I was able to successfully nurse by newborn.”
Leaders and members also help parents learn about the ages and stages of breastfeeding and work to create a community of support by bringing breastfeeding families together.
Breastfeeding support can look different from family to family and from child to child. Non-judgmental breastfeeding support is available in-person and via phone. Photo by Freepik
Find out more about La Leche League
For those who are interested in finding out more about La Leche League and its important work, it’s helpful to browse the lllusa.org website, which has a wealth of helpful articles that answer many questions about breastfeeding. According to the League, one of the most common questions is, “How do I support a new mother who is breastfeeding?”
Support for Breastfeeding Moms
Breastfeeding support can look different from family to family and from child to child. Ideally, breastfeeding support should go beyond just the family unit to wider family and friends and even the broader community and employers.
Tips for support persons
Often support people are unsure of what to do to help a nursing pair. While the mother’s role in the early days is to feed the baby, what about her partner’s role? These ideas can really make a difference:
- Keep food on hand, especially no-fix, easy-to-eat, one-handed food and foods high in fiber.
- Set up a sleeping arrangement that works for everyone. Don’t be afraid to try a few different ones to see what works best, which may involve separate sleeping spaces for a while. Be flexible!
- Monitor visitors and discourage guests from overstaying their welcome.
- Run errands including getting groceries.
- Adjust the positioning of the pillow or help with a latch.
- Adjust the lighting in the room.
- Refill a water bottle or grab a phone charger.
- Change the baby’s diaper.
- Clean and cook.
- Massage baby or the nursing parent
- Encourage with love. Often, words of encouragement can be the best help for a new parent full of self-doubt.
Tips for visiting new parents
Are you unsure of what to do when visiting parents with a newborn? How long should you stay? What is helpful and what isn’t? Here are some tips to help you navigate this exciting time:
- Don’t assume they are available. Being at home doesn’t mean that they are free. Call or text to make sure your visit isn’t a burden.
- Don’t come empty-handed. Food doesn’t have to be homemade but should be nutritious and easy to eat with one hand.
- Wash your hands immediately when you arrive.
- Don’t visit if you are sick, recovering or “coming down with something.”
- Instead of asking to hold the baby, help around the house including doing the dishes, switching the laundry, refilling a water bottle or bringing food to a couch-bound parent.
- Don’t stay too long. Take your cues from the parents who may be tired and ready for a nap themselves. Try not to stay longer than 15 minutes unless they request otherwise.
Postpartum mood disorders
Many parents experience a roller coaster of emotions after having a baby, from joy and elation to worry and sadness. Mix big feelings with limited sleep and meeting the needs of a new baby, and new parenthood can feel overwhelming at times.
Having a baby is a life-changing experience and around 85% of women experience some kind of mood disturbance postpartum. Despite being so common, postpartum mood disturbances are not always talked about, leaving some people to feel alone and wondering if they are good enough parents. Talking openly about your postpartum experiences with others going through the same thing can combat feelings of isolation and shame.
Find a local La Leche League meeting
Going to a La Leche League meeting is a great place to find other new parents to share experiences with.
NORTH STATE LA LECHE LEAGUE CHAPTERS
Greater Redding La Leche League
Meetings: Please check with a Group Leader as dates and times for virtual meetings may change.
Leaders: Nancy – (413)563-1424, nancydellamaria@gmail.com
facebook.com/reddingcalalecheleague
La Leche League of Red Bluff
No in-person meetings at this time. Contact a leader for support.
Leaders: D’Lorah – (530)526-6818, hurton@sbcglobal.net
Chico La Leche League
Meetings: See the Facebook page for meeting information.
Free weekly meetings for pregnant and new moms
Every Friday, 10-11:30am, 2341 Floral Avenue, Chico.
Call or text the help line (530)487-4109.Leave a message and one their La Leche League leaders will return your call. Or email lllofchico@gmail.com. They can help troubleshoot issues you’re having and provide resources if greater help is required.
Leaders: Shanna, Maureen, Rachel and Kate
(530)487-4109, lllnorcal.org/chico/
Join their Facebook group. facebook.com/groups/lllofchico
NORTH STATE LACTATION EDUCATORS AND CONSULTANTS
BUTTE, GLENN, TEHAMA COUNTIES
Sierra Negrete, CPM
Bilingual Lactation Support
(530) 709 8476
midwifesierra@gmail.com
BUTTE COUNTY
The Best Place for Moms
Serving Chico, Paradise, Magalia, Oroville, Durham and more
(530)287-8222
thebestplaceformoms.com
Chico
Butte County WIC Chico office
Megan Mitchell, IBCLC (530)552-3972
Wendy Cervantes, IBCLC (530)552-3967
Chico Pediatrics
Jennifer Clements, IBCLC (530)343-8522
Northern Valley Indian Health (NVIH) Better Babies
Keri Dowell, Rn, IBCLC & Molly Plummer, LVN, IBCLC (530)433-2500
Enloe Mother and Baby Education Center
Lyndsey Williams, RN, IBCLC & Cassidy Scherba, RN, IBCLC (530)332-3970
Gridley
Butte County WIC Gridley Office
Wendy Cervantes, IBCLC (530)552-3967
Paradise
The Best Place For Moms
Mikalia Dyer, IBCLC & Teresa Rein, RN, IBCLC (530)287-8222
Orland
Glenn County Public Health WIC
Jennifer Clements, IBCLC & Marcy Torres, CLE (530)865-8791
Oroville
Butte County WIC Oroville Office
Dr Megan Mitchell, IBCLC (530)552-3972
Wendy Cervantes, IBCLC (530)552-3967
Oroville Hospital
Della Corral, RN, IBCLC, Megan Wright, IBCLC & Megan Latta, IBCLC (530)532-8441
SHASTA COUNTY
Redding Midwifery
reddingmidwiferygroup.com/breastfeeding-support
Judy Cassidy, IBCLC (530)515-9332
Dignity Health
Certified Lactation (breastfeeding) consultants, who are registered nurses, offer a personal breastfeeding class and one-on-one breastfeeding support.
(530)225-7480
Milkin’ Mamas
(877)522-6262
Teaches women to hand pump instead of using a breast pump. There offer videos to watch and lots of education.
Shasta Community Health Center
Certified Lactation (breastfeeding) consultants, who are registered nurses, offer a personal breastfeeding class and one-on-one breastfeeding support.
(530)225-7480. shastahealth.org/maternity
WIC Breastfeeding support
(530) 245-6466
• Telephone assistance to answer brief questions and evaluate the need for a comprehensive consultation
• One-on-one breastfeeding counseling
• Referrals to the WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
• Referrals to various agencies within Shasta County to assist new mothers and their families with additional services
• Breast pump rentals
Call for an appointment
Anderson – (530)225-5168
Burney – (530)225-5168
Enterprise – (530)224-4200
Shasta Lake – (530)225-5168
SISKIYOU COUNTY
Andrea Vyenielo, IBCLC, RN
Certified Lactation Consultant
(760)709-1313
First5siskiyou.org
drey@first5siskiyou.org
Brenda Montaño, Sol y Luna Birth Work
Full-Spectrum Doula and Lactation Educator
zineswithsol.com, zineswithsol@gmail.com
“Se Habla Español”
Chelsy Marriott, BS, CD/PCD(DONA), SBD, CFFE
Lactation Education Counselor
nurturedguidance.com
chelsymarriott@gmail.com
facebook.com/nurturedguidance
TEHAMA COUNTY
Tehama County Health Services Agency
WIC Lactation Support (530)527-8791
Posted in: Birth and Toddlers, Family Life & Support
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