La Leche League of South Bend

Believe it or not, February begins this weekend, so our monthly playgroup is coming up next week! Please join us on Tuesday at the Main Library in downtown South Bend--we have reserved the Humphrey's room in the basement where there is plenty of room for crawlers to crawl, big kids to play, and mamas and babies to cuddle, nurse, and chat. The lovely and friendly Dawn (mama to Eliana) has agreed to act as host so that you'll know you're in the right spot! Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys. And those of you with tiny babes or babes still in utero, please know that this playgroup is for you too! Support from other mothers is what we're all about:) Tuesday, February 3 between 10:15 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://www.sjcpl.org/main/ Humphrey's Multimedia Room:  http://www.sjcpl.org/meetingrooms/

                                          St Joseph County Breastfeeding Coalition presents: The Milky Way: Every Mother Has a Story Friday, January 30 7:00-10:00 pm Brainworks @ the Corner of Navarre and Michigan St                       Free will offerings accepted                           Dessert will be served                           Babes in arms welcome The Milky Way, a feature-length documentary about breastfeeding in the USA , shows how women can reclaim their birthright and restore the nursing mother archetype. A film by, for, and about women, it is about the knowledge that inherently resides in every woman and how to trust that knowledge .

At our next morning meeting we will be discussing that precious commodity for all parents--Sleep. There are as many sleep philosophies and set-ups as there are babies. Come share ideas of what has worked for your family, struggles you face, and an open heart for commiseration.  We have several books in the LLL library you may want to check out, including the brand new LLL book written by the women who brought you the most recent edition of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding": "Sweet Sleep:Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for Breastfeeding Families". We're really excited about this book--it is so helpful and truthful in a way that no other sleep book has been brave enough to be before. We also have other favorites: Dr. Sears's "Nighttime Parenting: How to Get Your Baby and Child to Sleep" and Dr. McKenna's "Sleeping with Your Baby: A Parent's Guide to Cosleeping, Whether you do it occasionally or every night, do it safely."

Are you thinking about starting solids?  Wondering about how best to care for your own nutritional needs as a nursing mother? Hoping to improve your own diet after all those holiday goodies? Dealing with a picky toddler or preschooler? This month's meeting will be all about introducing first foods and encouraging nutritious eating as our children grow. Come with questions or experiences to share. Join us at River Park Branch Library at 7 pm. Tuesday Evening Jan 13. As always we will answer any breastfeeding questions or concerns you have including how to return to work and maintain breastfeeding.   Weather policy for the evening group - if the St Joseph County Library system is closed due to inclement weather, we will not meet.  If the library is open, we will have a meeting.

Have you been up to your ears in family and holidays? Fortunately  Tuesdays are great opportunities to get out and socialize with other mamas! Our monthly playgroup is next week at 10:15 at the downtown library. It  opens at 10 if you'd like to to pop upstairs to borrow books and toys before heading down to the Humphrey's Room where LLL mamas and babes will be gathering. Our usual hosts, Sarah and Alice won't be able to make it this month, but Caroline and Amelia have graciously offered to fill in to welcome you!  Those of you with tiny babies or those still in utero, please know that this playgroup is for you too! Support from other mothers is what we're all about:) Tuesday, January 6 between 10:15 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://www.sjcpl.org/main/ Humphreys Multimedia Room:  http://www.sjcpl.org/meetingrooms/