Resources

On-line Resources for Nursing Mothers

Breastfeeding Basics and More

  • Kellymom is a comprehensive website that is essentially a search engine for evidence-based breastfeeding practice and has helpful information, links and forums galore that both parents and healthcare providers will find useful.
  • Biological Nurturing View a video of a mom and baby using Laid Back or Biological Nurturing Techniques that allow latching on to occur using mom and baby’s instinctive behaviors.
  • Global Health Media Project, Attaching Your Baby at the Breast Good attachment will help a baby get more milk and make breastfeeding more comfortable. This video shows why good attachment is so important to breastfeeding success and what a mother can do to deeply attach her baby to her breast.This video is intended primarily for mothers in the developing world, but may be helpful to breastfeeding mothers worldwide.
  • The ‘Magic Number’ and Long-Term Milk Production discusses breast storage capacity and frequency of breast emptying needed for an individual mom to maintain her milk supply for her baby.
  • HealthyChildren.org Breastfeeding information and articles from the American Academy of Pediatrics website for parents.
  • Womenshealth.gov is filled with basic breastfeeding information. It includes downloadable “Easy Guides” to breastfeeding, a free helpline number, and is available in English and Spanish.
  • Infant RiskThomas Hale’s Infant Risk Center contains information for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers as well as for health professionals. Information about unusual situations, diseases and circumstances, medication use, post partum depression, alcohol use can be found here. There are also forums for health professionals and for mothers.
  • The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is a “worldwide organization of physicians dedicated to the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding and human lactation.” Clinical protocols, intended to serve as guidelines for the care of bf mothers and infants, are available for downloading from the website, mostly as pdf files. See what science considers the “gold standard” on topics such as hypoglycemia, co-sleeping, the baby-friendly pediatrician’s office, etc.
  • Find federal and state breastfeeding laws.Know your rights and what type of protection you have as a breastfeeding mother under the law. Laws pertaining to breastfeeding in public and workplace rights are addressed.
  • Best for Babes Beating the Booby Traps that prevent Moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals! Regardless of whether a mother breastfeeds for one week, one year, or not at all, her story has value in helping more mothers succeed and accomplish the breastfeeding goals they set for themselves.
  • Alcohol Use and Breastfeeding Kelly mom provides some guidelines and resources about drinking alcohol and breastfeeding.
  • Alcohol Use and Breastfeeding CDC 2018 Guidance on alcohol use and breastfeeding.
  • Proper Handling and Storage of Human Milk from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • When will my milk come in? from Kellymom.com
  • Newborn Weight Tool “Newt is the first tool that allows pediatric healthcare providers and parents to see how a newborn’s weight during the first days following childbirth compares with a large sample of newborns, which can help with early identification of weight loss issues.”
  • Reusing Breastmilk Here is what we know about re-using breastmilk when baby does not finish a bottle.
  • How To Keep Your Breast Pump Kit Clean from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • The Basics of Breast Massage and Hand Expression for breast engorgement.

New Mom Support

  • Breastfeeding USA, Inc. provides evidence-based information and support, and promotes breastfeeding as the biological and cultural norm. We accomplish this through a network of accredited breastfeeding counselors and comprehensive resources for the benefit of mothers and babies, families, and communities.”
  • LaLeche League International Join mother-to-mother forums; get answers to breastfeeding questions; read articles from LLL publications; find out how to contact a local Leader and the meeting time and location of your local LLL group; submit an online help form; subscribe to a podcast; purchase books, videos, and intimate apparel; and more. In addition to English, information on this site is available in Chinese, Spanish, Italian and Russian.
  • Breastfeed Chicago “is a network of breastfeeding moms, lactation professionals, and like-minded organizations dedicated to supporting breastfeeding in Chicago through mother-to-mother support, resource development, and breastfeeding advocacy.We envision a truly breastfeeding-friendly Chicago. We do this by connecting moms with the information and resources they need, by advocating for breastfeeding-friendly practices by businesses, employers, hospitals and health care providers, and by using our influence as breastfeeding mothers to normalize breastfeeding in our communities. Visit our Facebook page and our blog.”
  • MOBI stands for Mothers Overcoming Breastfeeding Issues. It was founded by and for mothers who grieved their unsuccessful breastfeeding relationships. They were surprised and comforted to find other mothers had similar experiences. Their mutual support enabled some mothers to find solutions or closure. MOBI Motherhood Intl. is a non-profit organization committed to research, advocacy, education, and support for mothers with extraordinary circumstances that hinder or prevent the breastfeeding relationship. Its goal is to promote the support of mothers with extreme breastfeeding issues, with our online support groups, and with education and research.”

Making More Milk

Bottle Feeding and Breastmilk Storage

Medications and Breastfeeding

  • Infant RiskThomas Hale’s Infant Risk Center provides information on safety of medications and breastfeeding. Dr. Hale’s MommyMeds app is available for download or you may call 806.352.2519 Monday through Friday, 8-5 pm Central Time.
  • Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) – A peer-reviewed and fully referenced database of drugs to which breastfeeding mothers may be exposed. Among the data included are maternal and infant levels of drugs, possible effects on breastfed infants and on lactation, and alternate drugs to consider.

Milk Banking and Donating Milk

Non-profit milk banks that adhere to the Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) guidelines provide pasteurized milk from carefully screened donors to fragile and sick infants, improving their potential to survive and thrive. Learn more about donating milk.
The Mother’s Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes operates two breastmilk collection depots in the Chicago area. If you have a surplus of breastmilk you would like to donate:

      • Advocate Lutheran General Milk Depot at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL. Call 847-723-7341 for information and instructions.
      • The Green Medical Practice in Oak Park, IL is accepting donations of breast milk.Call 708-851-2108.

Safe Sleep

There are many reasons why your new baby needs parenting during the night. Neurological immaturity, small stomach size, and rapid digestion of breast milk are just a few. These websites will connect you with what science has to say about the best sleeping arrangements for babies.

Tongue-tie and Lip-tie

Baby Wearing

      • Baby Wearing International Inc.is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote babywearing as a universally accepted practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver, through education and support. Find a chapter near you.

Working Moms

Getting Insurance Coverage for Breastpumps and Lactation Consultant Services

Resources for Post Partum Depression

New Parents’ Reading List

From Breastfeed Chicago:Before You Breastfeed: Ten Steps to a Great Start
Breastfeeding Made Simple: Seven Natural Laws for Nursing Mothers
Nancy Mohrbacher and Kathleen Kendall-Tackett, New Harbinger Publications 2010
Working and Breastfeeding Made Simple
Nancy Mohrbacher, Praeclarus Press 2014
Breastfeeding Solutions: Quick Tips for the Most Common Breastfeeding Challenges
Nancy Mohrbacher, New Harbinger Publications 2013
The Nursing Mother’s Companion
Kathleen Huggins, The Harvard Common Press 2005
Balancing Breast and Bottle: Reaching Your Breastfeeding Goals
Amy Peterson and Mindy Harmer, Breastfeeding Solutions, 2009
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding
8th Revised Edition, La Leche League International 2010
The Premature Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Premature Baby from Birth to Age One
William Sears, (Sears Parenting Library) 2004
Sweet Sleep: Nighttime and Naptime Strategies for the Breastfeeding Family
LaLeche League International, Diane Wiessinger, Diana West, Linda J. Smith and Teresa Pitman, Ballantine Books 2014
Colic Solved: The Essential Guide to Infant Reflux and the Care of Your Crying, Difficult-to-Soothe Baby
Bryan Vartabedian MD, Ballantine Books 2007
Your Amazing Newborn
Marshall H. Klaus, MD, Phyllis H. Klaus, Perseus Books 1998
Becoming a Father: How to Nurture and Enjoy Your Family
William Sears, La Leche League International 2003
The Happiest Baby on the Block, The New Way to Calm Crying and Help Your Baby
Harvey Karp, MD, Bantam Books 2015