Breastfeeding support groups

NON-HOSPITAL BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUPS:

  • La Leche League (various groups throughout the city and suburbs) – La Leche League (LLL) is the best known breastfeeding support group in the world. Started by a group of moms in Chicago, the organization certifies volunteer leaders to run local groups for pregnant and lactating moms. Meetings often include discussions about different parenting topics (sleep, food, relationships, discipline) and breastfeeding questions. If you’re looking for mom-to-mom support, La Leche League might be right for you. Find your local meeting: http://www.llli.org/web/illinois.html
  • Abiyamo Omo Society at UIC Medical Center (Chicago, IL) – We are here to listen to your concerns, needs and stories. Our focus is to support ALL breastfeeding mothers and promote natural parenting. We also provide optional knitting tutorials so you can create something for your baby while bonding with other mothers. We meet the 3rd Monday of every month at UIC Medical Center (1740 W Taylor) in the 1st floor conference room from 7pm-9pm. Bring your children. Call 773-600-8046 or 847-502-0053 for more information.
  • Be By Baby (Chicago, IL – Lincoln and Roscoe) – From their website: Join other breastfeeding moms for decaf coffee, tea and enjoyable conversation.  A lactation consultant is always present for questions and advice.  Babies and toddlers welcome. Meets last Tuesday of the month, 10:00-11:30am.
  • Breastfeeding USA Chapter, Lake County - Baby & Me – Get your questions answered, learn tricks for making breastfeeding easier, share what’s worked for you, enjoy the company of other parents Lending Library available / Free Information Sheets.  Spending time with those who have “been there” can make early parenthood easier.   Meets at Cygnus Lactation first Friday of the month, 6:30-8:30pm, 404 N Seymour Ave., Mundelein, IL 60060 website
  • Kicksprout at Family Grounds Cafe (Chicago, IL – near Lincoln and Addison) – From their website: 1st Tuesday of every month from 11:00 – 12:00pm. Meet with Lactation Consultant Kathleen Gale of Swedish Covenant Hospital. $10.
  • New Mother New Baby (Northbrook, IL) – From their website: Not sure if breastfeeding is going well? Are you wondering if you need a consultation or if things will just get better on their own? Are you wondering if you baby is getting enough to eat or if your sore nipples are normal? Are you going back to work or starting to wean? Our Breastfeeding Support Group will meet the fourth Friday of the month from 1-2:15. This is a great way to meet other breastfeeding moms, ask questions and get some support and help. No matter what stage of breastfeeding you are at, initiation to weaning, we can help you find the answers you need. 1:00-2:15PM This is a free class! Call 847-272-1500

HOSPITAL-BASED BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT GROUPS:

  • Adventist Hinsdale Hospital (Hinsdale, IL) – From their website: Every Tuesday, 12-1:30. Show up or call the Lactation Center at 630-856-4294 with questions.
  • Centegra’s Family Birth Centers (McHenry and Woodstock) – From their website: Centegra’s Family Birth Centers offer freeBreastfeeding Support Groups to help provide a friendly, supportive environment for moms and their babies to discuss the joys and challenges of breastfeeding with other moms. The group is staffed by Centegra’s Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultants and includes an infant weight check. Call the Family Birth Center for more information.
  • Little Company of Mary Hospital (Evergreen Park, IL – 95th and California) – From their website: “This support group offers new mothers the opportunity to meet and share experiences with other breast feeding women, and also provides guidance from an expert LCM Lactation Consultant. DAYTIME group meets every Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., except for holidays, at Little Company of Mary in the 7th floor solarium. EVENING group meets on the last Wednesday of the month, 7pm-8pm, 7th floor solarium. All mothers and babies are welcome. No registration is necessary. Our goal is to give every mom and baby the best start possible. For lactation information, please call 708.229.5418.”
  • Palos Community Hospital (Palos Heights, IL) – From their website: “Palos Community Hospital’s Nursing Mom’s Network offers continued support for those learning to breastfeed. In a nurturing environment, breastfeeding mothers share their experiences, and receive on going guidance and support from one of our lactation consultants. Babies are welcome.” Tuesdays, 11:00-12:30. Even if you haven’t given birth at Palos, you are welcome to go to the group.
  • Sherman Hospital (Elgin, IL) – From their website: “This is a free time to meet with other new moms and babies and have a dialogue with each other, a Mom-Baby Nurse and a Lactation Consultant. Held every Thursday from 12:30pm-2pm here at Sherman Hospital on Randall Road. Pre-registration encouraged. For more information, contact 224-783-8041 Stop at front desk for room assignment.”
  • St. Alexius Medical Center (Hoffman Estates, IL) – From a review of their group on the chicagotoddler.com website: “Are you itching to get out of the house, but worried about venturing out with your baby? B.E.S.T. may just be the perfect group for you. New mommies sit in a circle, as babies lie on their blankets or crawl around the room, playing with toys. The mommies socialize, vent, seek advice from other mothers, and ask plenty of questions of the lactation consultant running the group. Sometimes there’s laughing, sometimes there’s crying (and I’m not just talking about the babies), but whatever the noise at B.E.S.T., it’s welcoming to a frazzled new mother, who has few public places where she can feel relaxed.” Mondays, 10-12.

  • Saint Bernard Hospital (326 W. 64 street Chicago, IL) “Bosom Buddy Breastfeeding Moms Support Group”. This group is for nursing mother who are in their first to eight weeks of the breastfeeding journey. The intention of this group is provide fun, laughter, spiritual, and emotional support for the journey of mothering through breastfeeding. Group meets every Wednesday except  fifth Wednesday of month and holidays. Group is guided by Angelique Muhammad, mother of two successfully breastfed babies, lactation expert, and spiritual leader. RSVP is required call 773-962-4017 or email preciousjewels2012-momsministry@yahoo.com or text 773-798-3086.

There have *got* to be more breastfeeding support groups out there! Please email us if you know of one (or if we have made a mistake)! breastfeedchicago@yahoo.com

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 55 other followers