La Leche League of South Bend

Hello Everyone! 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  Tuesday, May 28th at 10am Bittersweet Branch Library 602 N Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46544 https://goo.gl/maps/ vCCEi7z3jZ12 Some nice go-tos for handling unwanted advice:  http://elizabethpantley.com/ handling-unwanted-advice/ Traveling   tricks & tips from other LLL mamas: https://www.llli.org/ breastfeeding-info/ ...

Hello Mamas! 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, learning 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! We are looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday, May 21st at 10am. Sunnyside Presbyterian Church  115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 Here are two  favorite blogs on the subject of motherhood--ones to go back to when we need support: http://www.ncregister.com/ blog/simcha-fisher/to-the- mother-with-only-one-...

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!  Please join us Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Tutt Branch library, corner of Miami and Ewing, South Bend.  We will discuss becoming  a mother and taking care of ourselves. With little ones taking so much of our energy, how do we recharge our own battery?  Expectant mothers and babies welcome.  Please also consider submitting to the St. Joseph Breastfeeding Coalition's Beautiful Baby Photo Contest. Any baby 24 months and younger is eligible. Photo entries must be submitted by Friday, June 21, 2019 to: sjcbeautifulbaby@aol.com Please include baby's first name and age, Mother's name, phone and email.  Photos will be on display at the Lactation Station in the Hoosier Tire Commercial Building during the St. Joseph County 4H Fair, June 28- July 6, 2019.  Votes are $1 each or 6 for $5.  This is a fundraiser to fund the August 17 World Breastfeeding Month Picnic. Also consider signing up for a shift at th...

We are looking forward to our first outdoor  playgroup  of the year coming up next week at Parkovash Park - 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 a mama to benefit from a  playgroup ! (Even the ones still in utero!) Robin will be waiting to welcome you. (In case of rain or cold, we will move to the Main Library Children's Services!) See you on Tuesday, May 7, between 10am-noon Parkovash Park 277 Parkovash Avenue South Bend, Indiana 46617 http://sbpark.org/parks/ parkovash-park/

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? Tuesday'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 around 10am on Tuesday, April 23rd Bittersweet Branch Library 602 N Bittersweet Rd, Mishawaka, IN 46544 Some links about solids: Why it's best to wait until at least the middle of the first year to begin introducing solids, as seen in the LLL philosophy statement:  "For the healthy, full-term ...

Hello Mamas! 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. We're looking forward to seeing you at 10:00 am, Tuesday April 16th Sunnyside  Presbyterian Church  115 S. Frances St. South Bend, IN 46617 An important rundown on safe  babywearing :  http://www. schoolofbabywearing.com/ Images/TICKS.pdf Here is an article about the drawbacks of over-using strollers and carseats: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ women/mother-tongue/10693168/ L...

Please join us Tuesday, April 9, 7 p.m. at the Tutt Branch Library to discuss "Nursing Your Older Baby".  How has your nursing relationship changed as your baby has become more active?  How do you go about introducing solid foods?  What do you do with those feelings of loving your baby yet sometimes wishing they we not so needy?  How do you feel about nursing for comfort and not just for nutrition.  Expectant mothers and babies welcome!