La Leche League of South Bend

It's always a welcome breather to surround ourselves with other families with young children and babies after a holiday, don't you think? Conveniently, this month's LLL Playgroup falls the day after Labor Day!  Parkovash is a quiet little park with room for parents to walk around with their wee ones snuggled, toddlers to run, climb, and swing, and nice shady spots for babies and parents to sit and visit. Come on out and join us--no baby is too young for its mama to benefit from a playgroup, (even the ones still in utero!)  Robin and Emerson will be on hand to welcome you. (In case of rain or cold, we will move to the Main Library Children's Services!) See you on Tuesday, September 5, between 10am-noon Parkovash Park 277 Parkovash Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46617 http://sbpark.org/parks/parkovash-park/

Hello Friends! 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 fill those long hours with baby? How do you divvy up household chores? How do you fit breastfeeding and/or pumping into your new lifestyle? (Or how do you adapt your lifestyle to breastfeeding?!) 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: Tuesday, July 18 at 10a...

**Starting next month we will be sending out meeting notices via Google Groups. Please join us at  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/lalecheleagueofsb  ** Are you thinking about starting  solids ? Wondering about how best to care for your own nutritional needs as a nursing mother? Dealing with a picky toddler or preschooler? Next week's morning meeting will be all about introducing first foods and encouraging nutritious eating as our children grow. Come with questions or experiences to share. We are thrilled to be able to show a short video on the subject that we made in collaboration with a video production class at Saint Mary's College--you'll see some familiar faces!! As always, we will have time for any breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes you'd like to share. Looking forward to seeing you at 10:15 am on Tuesday, April 25 Harris Branch Library 51446 Elm Road  Granger, IN 46530

**Starting in April we will be sending out meeting notices via Google Groups. Please join us at  https://groups.google.com/foru m/#!forum/lalecheleagueofsb ** How is your nursing relationship changing as your baby moves towards (or through) toddlerhood? 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!  -Do you have thoughts about how setting limits with gentle discipline fit in to your current (and future!) nursing relationship? -Are you curious about the weaning process--how to be gentle, respectful and gradual? -Are you thinking about getting pregnant again but aren't sure whether you should wean first?  -Wondering about nursing through pregnancy and continuing to tandem nurse once the new baby is here?  If you are thinking about any of these issues, or have experiences to share, please join us at the next LLL morning meeting!...

It's time again for the monthly LLL playgroup! On Tuesday we'll be in the Humphrey's room in the lower level  of  the Main Library in downtown South Bend, where there is plenty of room for crawlers to crawl, big kids to play, and mamas and babies to cuddle, nurse, and chat. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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:)  Jessica, (mama to Juniper and Georgia) will be waiting to greet you so that you'll know you're in the right spot! Tuesday, March 7 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://sjcpl.org/locations

It's time again for the monthly LLL playgroup! On Tuesday we'll be in the Humphrey's room in the lower level  of  the Main Library in downtown South Bend, where there is plenty of room for crawlers to crawl, big kids to play, and mamas and babies to cuddle, nurse, and chat. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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:)  Jessica, (mama to Juniper and Georgia) will be waiting to greet you so that you'll know you're in the right spot! Tuesday, February 7 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://sjcpl.org/locations photo courtesy of @NormalizeBreastfeeding.org

Are you craving some supportive mama/baby time once we come out of the crazy holidays? Happily, on Tuesday we'll be in the Humphrey's room in the lower level  of  the Main Library in downtown South Bend, where there is plenty of room for crawlers to crawl, big kids to play, and mamas and babies to cuddle, nurse, and chat. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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:)  Jessica, (mama to Juniper and Georgia) will be waiting to greet you so that you'll know you're in the right spot! Tuesday, January 3 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://sjcpl.org/locations

How is your nursing relationship changing as your baby moves towards (or through) toddlerhood? At next 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! -Do you have thoughts about how setting limits with gentle discipline fit in to your current (and future!) nursing relationship? -Are you curious about the weaning process--how to be gentle, respectful and gradual? -Are you thinking about getting pregnant again but aren't sure whether you should wean first?  -Wondering about nursing through pregnancy and continuing to tandem nurse once the new baby is here?  If you are thinking about any of these issues, or have experiences to share, please join us at the next LLL morning meeting! And even if these topics aren't relevant to you right now, come enjoy the camaraderie, commiseration and support of other nursing mamas.  And we always make ...

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/...

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 and/or pumping 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: Tuesday, July 19 at 10am Sunnys...

At the next morning meeting we're going to explore our feelings about the transition to becoming a Mother, and managing those early days and months with baby. This new role can surprise us, rock us to our cores, and bore us silly, all in the space of an hour.  It's  intense, le arning your baby's signals, needs, and routines, not to mention trying to maintain relationships and at least some basic hygiene ;) How have you found this transition? What has helped you through it? 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! See you  Tuesday, May 17 @10am Sunnyside Presbyterian Church  **We will now be meeting in the Junior High room, to the right at the bottom of the stairs** 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617

What do you love about wearing your baby or toddler? 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 of the more 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 around  10am Tuesday, April 19 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St.South Bend, IN 46617

On Tuesday we'll be in the Humphrey's room in the lower level  of  the Main Library in downtown South Bend, where there is plenty of room for crawlers to crawl, big kids to play, and mamas and babies to cuddle, nurse, and chat. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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:)  Jessica, (mama to Juniper and Georgia) will be waiting to greet you so that you'll know you're in the right spot! Tuesday, April 5 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://sjcpl.org/locations

Believe it or not, February begins next week, so our monthly playgroup is coming up! Please join us on Tuesday at the Main Library in downtown South Bend--our usual room is unavailable this week, so we'll be meeting on the 3rd floor in the Children's Section. The lovely and friendly Dawn (mama to Eliana) will be our host so that you'll know you're in the right spot! 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 2 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://sjcpl.org/locations

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 new LLL book written by the women who brought you "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 have other favorites as well: 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." We're looking forwa...

Did you make a New Year's Resolution to spend more time with supportive Mamas? Then you're in luck--the La Leche League playgroup is this week! Dawn and little Elli will be ready to greet you 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. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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, January 5 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street South Bend, Indiana 46601 http://www.sjcpl.org/main/ Humphreys Multimedia Room:  http://www.sjcpl.org/meetingrooms/ --  La Leche League of South Bend http://lllofsouthbend.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/lllofsouthbend A donation will be made t...

At next week's morning meeting we are going to talk about Birth. How did your birth experience(s) affect breastfeeding? What would you change if you could? What would you recommend to other mothers? Bring ideas of local resources, supportive ears, and open minds as we come together to share our perspectives on this powerful topic. As always, we will have room for  your breastfeeding questions, concerns, and successes! We're looking forward to seeing you at  10am Tuesday, December 15 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 And don't forget to support your local LLL group at no charge to you whenever you shop Amazon!  A donation will be made to our group when you shop on Amazon if you click here:  http://smile.amazon.com/ch/52-2310043 Check out our wishlist to donate a book to our group libraries! http://www.amazon.com/gp/registry/wishlist/?ie=UTF8&cid=A2AYAXC308PVL7

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 17 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 The Importance of Breastfeeding!*** Here are some traveling tricks & tips: http://www.llli.org/faq/travel.html In case you find yourself fielding questions about bene...

The wind feels pretty brisk out there, I think it's time to move our monthly 1st Tuesday playgroup inside until spring! Please join Dawn and little Elli on Tuesday at the Main Library in downtown South Bend--we have again 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. Feel free to bring toys to share or pop upstairs to borrow books and toys for the morning! 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, November 3 between 10 and noon 304 South Main Street  South Bend, Indiana 46601  http://www.sjcpl.org/main/ Humphreys Multimedia Room:  http://www.sjcpl.org/meetingrooms/

What do you love about wearing your baby or toddler? 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 of the more 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 20 Sunnyside Presbyterian Church 115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 Take a look at this important rundown on safe babywearing: ttp://www.schoolofbabywearing.com/Images/TICKS.pdf