Breastfeeding Resources

August is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and I am celebrating by sharing some great resources.

First, I just want to acknowledge that breastfeeding is hard. It almost broke me. Motherhood is tough, but trust me, you are tough too. You have heard it before, but raising kids takes a village – that village is not just for the kids, it is for mom too. In this day and age (especially in a pandemic), our support is now virtual in addition to in-person. So here are some virtual breastfeeding resources.

Breastfeeding and COVID-19

If you are looking for resources on breastfeeding and COVID-19, Evidence Based Birth is doing a great job dismantling fear and replacing it with information. In their August 3rd, 2020 update, Evidence Based Birth reviews the support for breastfeeding with proper hygiene that is now supported by the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics).

Practical, Evidence Based Breastfeeding

If you are looking for a great all-around breastfeeding source, Kellymom is my go-to. There are so many topics covered here. One practical tip that helped from Kellymom was providing Vitamin D to my daughter through my breastmilk. Not only did this make my life easier, but it helped my mental health as vitamin D deficiencies can be associated with depression.

Virtual Support Groups

Personally, I lucked out and found an amazing, free breastfeeding support group at my local hospital. Unfortunately, many in-person support groups like Baby Cafe and La Leche League are postponed, but that doesn’t mean the support is postponed too! There are many local and national support groups that can be found online. If you are in the Cincinnati area, I have found SW Ohio Breastfeeding Moms to be a very supportive group.

One-on-one Lactation Support

General support can be so helpful, but sometimes you really need hands-on or virtual eyes-on support. There are varying levels of training for providers and my understanding is that the IBCLC is usually the most in-depth and hands-on training. If you are local to Cincinnati or Mason, Ohio and need help finding lactation support, contact me for local resources.

Optimizing Movement with Breastfeeding

See the video below for Alex’s favorite stretch or see our more recent post Guide to Neck, Shoulder and Back Pain with Breastfeeding for some tips on movement and positioning. Working with a physical therapist knowledgeable to women’s health can also help support you in your breastfeeding journey and keep you moving in ways that bring you joy and address your pain. If you are local to Cincinnati, contact us to start your journey to self care. If you want to stay up-to-date on services we offer in the community, sign up for our email list below.

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Happy breastfeeding! What are your go-to resources?

*Note: See our terms of use. The information above does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for working with a medical professional. You choose to use the content at your own risk and are responsible for obtaining medical clearance from your own qualified medical provider. Vibrant Physical Therapy and Wellness, LLC does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and claims no responsibility for losses or damages that may arise out of your use or misuse of the content provided. Personal concerns about medical conditions should be discussed and addressed immediately with your own licensed healthcare provider.