*Group Update and Facebook Page!
*New Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Memberships
*Series Meetings
*Featured article: Enjoying the Holidays with your Baby
Group Update and Facebook Page!
It's hard to keep track of everyone when the summers are as beautiful as they are in Laramie. Fortunately, despite the lure of the roads and mountains, series meetings have been held regularly and we've enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous moms and babes and all the lively conversations.
LLL of Albany County leaders met in September- it was so nice to have us all in the same room. One decision that was made was to create a Facebook page for our group. Please check it out and if you're on Facebook, "like" us! We'll be sending out series meetings reminders as well as interesting breastfeeding links and information.
The leaders also made some plans for upcoming fundraisers and goals for our group. Please stay tuned for some great things that will be happening in the coming months!
Additionally, many of us leaders have been participating in monthly Laramie Breastfeeding Coalition meetings. It has been wonderful to get to know other breastfeeding professionals and activists in the community. There are some innovative and inspiring projects happening right now, including the Laramie Breastfeeding Bag Project.
Also, keep a look out at businesses around town for stickers with the international symbol for breastfeeding in the window to signify that they are a breastfeeding friendly business. Be sure to thank these folks, when possible for supporting breastfeeding moms and babies in our community.
We are also still selling New Native Baby Slings. Wearing your baby is a wonderful way to enrich the bond you share and very breastfeeding friendly! Please contact leader Denise for more information and pricing.
As always, we LLL leaders are here for moms and babies through series meetings, helping calls and emails. If you have a question or just need breastfeeding support, please don't hesitate to contact a local leader! We love hearing from you.
New Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and Memberships
One decision that was made at the September Leader's Meeting is to begin offering a thank-you gift with new, paid memberships (at the suggested donation amount of $40)- the brand new edition of the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding!
This new edition is packed with helpful, accurate information not only about getting breastfeeding off to a good start, but also about nutrition for mom and baby, separation, nursing a toddler and weaning. It is a wonderful resource and we are so excited to begin offering it as part of an LLL of Albany County membership package.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please contact a leader!
Series Meetings
Series meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm in the meeting room of the Fire Station at 23rd and Reynolds AND the third Thursday of the month at 10:30 am in the meeting room at Second Story Books at 105 Ivinson. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and their children are welcome!
Fall/Winter 2010/11 Meeting Dates: PM Meetings: November 4, December 2, January 6, and February 3. AM Meetings: November 18, December 16 (Toddler meeting), January 20, and February 17.
We hope to see you there!
Enjoying the Holidays with your Baby
The holiday season can be a wonderful time to connect community, friends, and family. During this time, many of us enjoy baking, charitable giving, family gatherings, and local events.The holiday season can, however, present unique challenges when you have a nursling in tow. Stress, money worries and limits on time can affect milk supply and sanity!! Nursing strikes or what's known as "inadvertent weaning" can sometimes result if you are not mindful of your nursing relationship during this time. Young babies are especially vulnerable to this.
Here are some tips to keep in mind this holiday season:
*Agree beforehand with friends and family members to limit gift giving. This helps with shopping and saves money too!
*If you decorate your house, ask friends to help instead of doing it all yourself. You can direct operations from your rocking chair.
*Take shorter shopping trips and bring along your baby. If you are still feeling shy about nursing in public, feed your baby just before you leave home, in the car, or in dressing rooms.
*Take your baby to the party. Hosts are usually referring to older children who can get into trouble underfoot when they say "Adults only." Wearing your baby in a sling or wrap makes it easy to nurse discreetly.
*Baby-wearing is also useful when you have guests. It enables you to keep your baby from being passed from one person to the next and becoming over stimulated. If you keep a running list of chores on the refrigerator, you can point to it whenever somebody offers to help.
*Ask guests to bring food contributions instead of making all the meals yourself. Telling Aunt Jane that you have been looking forward to her special spinach dish all year should do the trick!
*Let friends and family members know that you cherish your breastfeeding relationship. Don’t present it as a problem. For example, when aunts or grandmothers want to help, give them a task—not the baby.
*When family members ask to feed the baby, tell them, “Thank you, but I’m breastfeeding,” and smile.
*Use a sling or other carrier to keep baby close to nurse.
*Work around nap times and other times when baby is sleeping.
*Avoid long car and plane trips if possible. If it’s unavoidable, make sure to take plenty of time for nursing breaks.
*Choose clothing that provides easy access to the breast for the little nursling.
*Shop for gifts online or from catalogs. Keep “real life” shopping trips short or take plenty of breaks to breastfeed.
With a little planning and mindfulness, you can help make this Holiday season (no matter which holidays you choose to celebrate!) enjoyable for your entire family, including your baby.
Happy Holidays, Mamas!
-Sources: How to Avert Nursing Strikes During Special Occasions and Holiday Weaning from LLLI.org
