La Leche League of South Bend

At our next meeting we'll share our ideas about dealing with summer as parents of littles. Do you have tips for fielding family questions/opinions about parenting and breastfeeding choices? Traveling with babies and children? Keeping ourselves and our kids healthy in the midst of sweets and germs?  Trying to maintain some semblance of routine amongst the craziness? Of course we will always have time for concerns you might have and insights you'd like to share, along with general chatting, support, and  library perusal. We're looking forward to seeing you at  10:15am Tuesday, May 23 Harris Branch Library 51446 Elm Road Granger, IN 46530 **Photo courtesy of NormalizeBreastfeeding.org** Here is some lovely language for extended family from  The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding : http://www.llli.org/docs/0000000000000001WAB/WAB_Tear_sheet_Toolkit/11_yourgrandchildisbreastfed.pdf Some nice go-to...

At our next meeting we'll share our ideas about dealing with the holidays as parents of littles. Do you have tips for fielding family questions/opinions about parenting and breastfeeding choices? Traveling with babies and children? Keeping ourselves and our kids healthy in the midst of cookies and germs?  Trying to maintain some semblance of routine amongst the craziness? Of course we will always have time for concerns you might have and insights you'd like to share, along with general chatting, support, and  library perusal. We're looking forward to seeing you at  10am Tuesday, November 15 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 ***And save the date for the following week's meeting at Harris Branch Library about Becoming a Mother and Early Days of Breastfeeding!*** Here is some lovely language for extended family from  The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding : http://www.llli.org/docs/...

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/

At next week's meeting, Tama's big kids are continuing their adorable holiday tradition of throwing a party for LLL mamas, babies, and children. They will have toddler-friendly games, snacks and art projects--there will even be a project for the tiniest babies among us. Partners, siblings, friends and relatives are also welcome! This is also a nice chance for former LLL families to reconnect with the group! If you find yourself needing breastfeeding support, there will be Leaders and other mothers aplenty to lend an ear. Come celebrate with us between  10-noon , Tuesday, December 23 Harris Branch Library 51446 Elm Road Granger, IN  46530 We will also have our ***NEW*** car decals available for a $5 donation. OR, you can get one free if you become a member of our South Bend LLL group!

At our next meeting we'll share our ideas about dealing with the holidays as parents of littles. Do you have tips for fielding family questions/opinions about parenting and breastfeeding choices? Traveling with babies and children? Keeping ourselves and our kids healthy in the midst of cookies and germs?  Trying to maintain some semblance of routine amongst the craziness? Of course we will always have time for concerns you might have and insights you'd like to share, along with general chatting, support, and  library perusal. We're looking forward to seeing you at  10am Tuesday, November 18 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 ***And save the date for the following week's meeting at Harris Branch Library about Starting Solids and Family Nutrition!*** A donation will be made to our group when you shop on Amazon if you click here:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-2310043 Chec...

What do you love about wearing your baby or toddler? What challenges have you faced with babywearing? How has babywearing helped with breastfeeding and bonding? What type of carrier have you always wanted to try? Is there a tricky back or side carry you need demonstrated? Need help figuring out how to nurse in your carrier? At the next La Leche League meeting some experienced babywearers in our group will be ready to demonstrate and assist with hands-on practice. Bring your carriers and try ours! We'll have ring slings, pouches, knit & woven wraps, soft structured carriers, and more. Of course we always have space for your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes. See you on 10am Tuesday, October 21 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617

Tomorrow is the day of the LLL of South Bend Family Picnic!  Pack a picnic lunch and join us at Potawatomi Park between 10-1 to visit and play with other LLL families! We are also doing a photo fundraiser for our local group--see the attached notice! The FB invitation is here--feel free to invite friends, and you are certainly welcome to come even if you don't RSVP! https://www.facebook.com/events/265456876992513/?ref=22 And on Tuesday we'll be at Parkovash Park for our monthly playgroup, where there is room for mamas to walk around with their wee ones snuggled in slings, toddlers to run, climb, and swing, and nice shady spots for babies and mamas to sit and visit. Come on out and join us--no baby is too young for a mama to benefit from a playgroup! (Even the ones still inutero!)  Our new playgroup hosts, Sarah and her little one Alice, will be there to greet friends, old and new! See you on Tuesday, July 1, between 10am-noon Parkovash Park ...

What do you love about wearing your baby or toddler? What has been challenging your babywearing plans? How has babywearing helped with breastfeeding and general bonding? What type of carrier have you always wanted to try? Is there a tricky back or side carry you need demonstrated? At the next La Leche League meeting some experienced babywearers in our group will be ready to demonstrate and assist with hands-on practice. Bring your carriers and try ours! We'll have ring slings, pouches, knit & woven wraps, soft structured carriers, and more. Of course we always have space for your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes. See you on 10am Tuesday, June 24 Women's Care Center 360 N. Notre Dame Ave. South Bend, Indiana 46617 And don't forget about our LLL Family Picnic coming up on Saturday, June 28!

Although each nursing couple is unique, one thing we know for certain is that all breastfeeding relationships change and progress as time goes on. At this week's morning meeting we'll chat about nursing our babies into toddlerhood, and all the amusing and at times frustrating things that go with it! These can be great opportunities to work on setting limits using gentle discipline. Respectful and gradual weaning is something we often think about at this stage, as well as dealing with questions of whether to continue nursing in public, and fielding questions and criticism from others. And we always make space for any other concerns or questions you may have! See you Tuesday, June 17 @10am Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 Also, plan to join us with the whole family at Potawatomi Park on Saturday, June 28 for a LLL of South Bend picnic! Enjoy visiting with other local families, and if you wish, support our group through...

Although it's hard to believe today, summer is almost upon us--does anyone have plans for a beach visit? Roadtrip? Airplane journey? Looking for summer activities right here in Michiana to enjoy with your babies and toddlers?  Summer adventures can bring new challenges when we're attempting them with our nurslings. Tuesday's meeting will be a chance for us to share tips and ideas about traveling and fun in the sun with wee ones.  Of course we will always have tim e for concerns you might have and insights you'd like to share, along with general chatting, support, and  library perusal. Looking forward to seeing you Tuesday, May 20 at 10am Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617

Have you ever felt like your baby might be colicky? fussy? high needs? Or do you dread the question from well-meaning grannies at the post office: 'Is s/he a Good Baby?' Many breastfeeding mothers are surprised by how "needy" our babies are...until we compare note with other families! At next week's meeting we'll talk about how our babies might not match our (or society's) expectations. We'll discuss what kind of myths and misconceptions are floating around about babies and breastfeeding, and how to remain confident in our parenting choices. We'll also share techniques we've found to help our babies and ourselves move through some of the tougher times. There will also be time to share breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes! See you at 10am Tuesday, April 15 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617

"The baby is so fussy, you're  probably not making enough milk." "Give the baby cereal before bed and she'll sleep all night."  "Why don't you take a break--I'll give the baby a bottle for you." I'm sure we've all seen breastfeeding used as the scapegoat for many issues in our babies and children--how do we stay strong in the face of doubts? Many breastfeeding mothers are surprised by how needy/fussy/colicky our babies are...until we compare notes with other families!  At next week's meeting we'll talk about how our babies might not match our (or society's) expectations. We'll discuss what kind of myths and misconceptions are floating around about babies and breastfeeding, and how to remain confident in our parenting choices. We'll also share techniques we've found to help our babies and ourselves move through some of the tougher times. There will also be time to share breastfeeding questio...

No matter what our lives looked like before kids, we all know our perspectives are vastly different after. And whether we go back to work after 6 weeks, 12 weeks, full-time, part-time, not at all, SAHM, WAHM, free-lancer, mompreneur, etc., we all struggle with balance and how to Make It Work.  At the next LLL morning meeting we'll share ideas of how we have done this and issues we haven't yet solved. How do you fit breastfeeding into your new lifestyle? (Or how do you adapt your lifestyle to breastfeeding?!) How do you fill those long hours with baby? How do you divvy up household chores? Child care? How do you make sure you get the help you need? When do you take on new duties? How do you structure your days in a way that works for you and your child(ren)? We'll delve into all of this and more.  And of course, we will have room for your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes. See you on: Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances...

Are you thinking about starting solids? Dealing with a picky toddler or preschooler? Concerned about addressing extended family ideas of what your baby should be eating over the holidays? Wondering about how best to care for your own nutritional needs as a nursing mother? At next week's meeting we'll share ideas for introducing first foods and encouraging nutritious eating for ourselves and our children.  We'll start with our 15 minute video about baby-led solids, and then move into our meeting. As always, we will have room for  your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes. 10am on Tuesday, November 26 Women's Care Center 360 N. Notre Dame Ave. (where it intersects with La Salle Ave.) South Bend, Indiana 46617 **There is still time to submit our name for the 1st Source Bank donation! http://lllofsouthbend.blogspot.com/2013/11/help-us-help-you.html

At our next meeting we'll share our ideas about dealing with the holidays as parents of young ones. Do you have tips for fielding family questions/opinions about parenting and breastfeeding choices? Traveling with babies and children? Keeping ourselves and our kids healthy in the midst of cookies and germs?  Trying to maintain some semblance of routine amongst the craziness? Of course we will always have time for concerns you might have and insights you'd like to share, along with general chatting, support, and  library perusal. We're looking forward to seeing you at  10am Tuesday, November 19 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 And save the date for the following week's meeting at Women's Care Center about Starting Solids and Family Nutrition!

Are you thinking about starting solids? Dealing with a picky toddler or preschooler? Wondering about how best to care for your own nutritional needs as a nursing mother? At next week's meeting we'll share ideas for introducing first foods and encouraging nutritious eating for ourselves and our children.  We'll start with our 15 minute video about baby-led solids, and then move into our meeting. As always, we will have room for  your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes. We're looking forward to seeing you at 10am on Tuesday, September 17th Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617

At our next meeting we're going to explore our feelings about the intense transition to becoming a Mother. This new role can surprise us, rock us to our cores, and bore us silly, all in the space of an hour. How do we reconcile the popular image of the Super Mom with our own daily realities? And how about caring for ourselves in ways that don't disregard the needs of our babies and toddlers? What are some successes you've found for safe ways to exercise, eat well, sleep enough, and bring baby along for the ride? Come ready to seek comfort in those who understand, and share ideas and strategies to share. (Even how to get that elusive shower!) How has this transition to motherhood been for you? What has helped you through it? How have you structured your time and home to fit your changing self and growing family? Join us on Tuesday to share these thoughts and others. And we always make space for any other breastfeeding concerns or questions you may have! ...

La Leche League of South Bend invites breastfeeding families to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week Where: Potawatomi Park  500 S. Greenlawn Avenue
 South Bend IN We reserved a picnic area between the playground and splash pad. Look for  balloons! When: Saturday August 3 rd *10:00am Participate in The BIG Latch On! Show your unity and support for breastfeeding with moms and babies around the world. Check out www.biglatchon.org for more information. *11:00am Picnic! Bring a picnic for your family and enjoy the super fun park with a splash pad and playground. La Leche League will provide cupcakes. *Families are welcome to come anytime during the celebration. *Invite your breastfeeding friends for more fun! Please share on Facebook! For more information: Mistel de Varona - Mistel_deVarona@yahoo.com and visit: www.lllofsouthbend.blogspot.com www.sbpark.org www.biglatchon.org ...