Community Support for Breastfeeding in CT
“Breastfeeding is the most rewarding thing I have ever done, but I couldn’t do it without an incredible group of friends that have helped me along the way.
You don’t have to do it alone! Community support is available to you right here in Connecticut. This includes your healthcare providers, family, friends, workplace, school, and a variety of local support organizations and resources. Having good support can help you meet your breastfeeding goals.
Healthcare Providers
Many moms say that getting support from their healthcare providers helped them meet their breastfeeding goals. In addition to your OB/GYN and your baby’s pediatrician, there are many types of healthcare providers available. Understanding how they can work with you to make breastfeeding a success is key.
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. Many IBCLCs are also doctors, nurses, or dietitians. You can find an IBCLC on the International Lactation Consultant Association website.
In addition to IBCLCs, there are other breastfeeding specialists who can help. To learn more about available providers, see this Landscape of Breastfeeding Support Guide (PDF) from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
Many moms say that getting support from their healthcare providers helped them meet their breastfeeding goals. In addition to your OB/GYN and your baby’s pediatrician, there are many types of healthcare providers available. Understanding how they can work with you to make breastfeeding a success is key.
An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding. Many IBCLCs are also doctors, nurses, or dietitians. You can find an IBCLC on the International Lactation Consultant Association website.
In addition to IBCLCs, there are other breastfeeding specialists who can help. To learn more about available providers, see this Landscape of Breastfeeding Support Guide (PDF) from the Massachusetts Breastfeeding Coalition.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are moms in your community who are breastfeeding or have breastfed in the past. They have received breastfeeding training to support you in meeting your feeding goals.
The Connecticut Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding education and support to all moms that qualify for the WIC Program. The WIC Program also provides breastfeeding peer counselor services in many of its locations. Learn more and find your local CT WIC agency here.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselors are moms in your community who are breastfeeding or have breastfed in the past. They have received breastfeeding training to support you in meeting your feeding goals.
The Connecticut Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding education and support to all moms that qualify for the WIC Program. The WIC Program also provides breastfeeding peer counselor services in many of its locations. Learn more and find your local CT WIC agency here.
Family & Friends
Find your breastfeeding circle of support. Share your choice to breastfeed with family and friends and work together to come up with a plan. How will they help take care of you and your new baby? Be mindful of the first few days after you leave the hospital. Decide who will help with housework, meals, and caring for your other children while you focus on breastfeeding and getting to know your new baby. You can use the Make a Plan Checklist to assist you in making a good plan.
Find your breastfeeding circle of support. Share your choice to breastfeed with family and friends and work together to come up with a plan. How will they help take care of you and your new baby? Be mindful of the first few days after you leave the hospital. Decide who will help with housework, meals, and caring for your other children while you focus on breastfeeding and getting to know your new baby. You can use the Make a Plan Checklist to assist you in making a good plan.
Work & School
Before you give birth, talk to human resources, your supervisor, or student services to learn about any breastfeeding policies. You can use the Make it Work Checklist to help ensure that your employer or school are included in your support network.
Be aware of federal and state breastfeeding laws that protect you and your right to breastfeed or pump breast milk when at work. Find Connecticut’s Breastfeeding in the Workplace laws here.
Before you give birth, talk to human resources, your supervisor, or student services to learn about any breastfeeding policies. You can use the Make it Work Checklist to help ensure that your employer or school are included in your support network.
Be aware of federal and state breastfeeding laws that protect you and your right to breastfeed or pump breast milk when at work. Find Connecticut’s Breastfeeding in the Workplace laws here.
Breastfeeding in Public
Connecticut law protects your right to breastfeed in public. You do not need to go to a special area or a restroom, or cover the baby with a blanket or towel. Owners, managers, and employees of a public place cannot request that you stop breastfeeding, cover up, or move to another room. For more information about your rights, please visit http://www.breastfeedingct.org/laws.html.
Connecticut law protects your right to breastfeed in public. You do not need to go to a special area or a restroom, or cover the baby with a blanket or towel. Owners, managers, and employees of a public place cannot request that you stop breastfeeding, cover up, or move to another room. For more information about your rights, please visit http://www.breastfeedingct.org/laws.html.
Community Breastfeeding Resources
There are many additional resources available to help you. The following are just a few.
Your Local Hospital
Many local hospitals in CT offer their own resources for breastfeeding support groups, education and community provider referrals.
La Leche League
Monthly in-person group support meetings throughout the state, virtual monthly Facebook meetings, non-emergency phone helpline and online resources. Assistance available in Spanish.
www.lllct.org 860-563-662 or [email protected]
Breastfeeding USA
Breastfeeding counselors available through monthly in-person group meetings throughout the state, active Facebook chat, and phone or email. www.ctbreastfeedingusa.org
HUSKY Healthy Beginnings
Free program for HUSKY members. Helps make appointm ents and provides transportation. Services also include assistance with housing, WI C, breast pumps and baby supplies.
800-859-9889 ext. 2025
ZipMilk
Locate lactation help near you, search by your zip code.
www.zipmilk.org
Connecticut WIC Program
Qualified participants receive breastfeeding and nutrition education plus supplemental foods. https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/WIC/WIC
There are many additional resources available to help you. The following are just a few.
Your Local Hospital
Many local hospitals in CT offer their own resources for breastfeeding support groups, education and community provider referrals.
La Leche League
Monthly in-person group support meetings throughout the state, virtual monthly Facebook meetings, non-emergency phone helpline and online resources. Assistance available in Spanish.
www.lllct.org 860-563-662 or [email protected]
Breastfeeding USA
Breastfeeding counselors available through monthly in-person group meetings throughout the state, active Facebook chat, and phone or email. www.ctbreastfeedingusa.org
HUSKY Healthy Beginnings
Free program for HUSKY members. Helps make appointm ents and provides transportation. Services also include assistance with housing, WI C, breast pumps and baby supplies.
800-859-9889 ext. 2025
ZipMilk
Locate lactation help near you, search by your zip code.
www.zipmilk.org
Connecticut WIC Program
Qualified participants receive breastfeeding and nutrition education plus supplemental foods. https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/WIC/WIC