Sonoma County Home | Site Map | Contact Us | Search

Breastfeeding Support

Did you know that breastfeeding has proven, significant health benefits over infant formula for both infants and mothers?

Breastfeeding is the best choice for infant feeding because:

• it is the perfect first food for babies' growth and brain development;
• it protects your baby against diarrhea, constipation, allergies, asthma, cancer, diabetes, ear infections, tooth decay, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDs);
• it is convenient and environmentally sound;
• it even provides health benefits for mom!

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months of baby's life, and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months, and thereafter for as long as mutually desired.

Sonoma County Breastfeeding Resource Guide (English ) (Spanish ) (pdf)
This guide, provided by the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition, contains contact information for a variety of breastfeeding support services and programs. These resources are for you if:

• You need advice or have questions about breastfeeding your baby.
• You are having problems breastfeeding your baby and would like someone to help you.
• You would like to rent or buy a breast pump or other nursing supplies.
• You would like information on classes about breastfeeding or support groups for breastfeeding mothers.

Breastfeeding Works for Working Mothers (English) (Spanish) (pdf)
Are you returning to work, and want to continue to breastfeed your baby? This brochure, provided by the Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition, contains advice for nursing mothers on the issues surrounding returning to the workplace while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding Works in the Workplace (pdf)
This brochure is the companion piece to "Breastfeeding Works for Working Mothers." It explains the benefits of having nursing mothers return to work while breastfeeding, and provides employers with guidelines for accommodating nursing mothers.

Workplace Breastfeeding Support (pdf)
Developed by the United States Breastfeeding Committee, this 6-page issue paper explains the benefits of breastfeeding support in the workplace, and outlines simple, effective strategies employers can use to develop a support program tailored to the company.

Free Home Visits
If you are a first-time mother and would like support with breastfeeding, you can receive three free home visits from the Families First program.

A Report on California Breastfeeding and Hospital Performance (pdf)
Hospital polices have an enormous impact on a mother's initation of breastfeeding. This report is from the California WIC Association. It compares local hospitals in terms of their numbers of new moms who exclusively breastfeed while in the hospital, which is an important indicator of future breastfeeding success.

---

Helpful Tips

• Call your insurance company to check for lactation support and, or pump reimbursement.



• Discuss with your medical provider if Medi-Cal will cover the services you need.



• Breastfeeding experts have different amounts of training. IBCLC's (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants) have the highest level of qualification. Most hospitals and clinics have staff who are experienced with breastfeeding, but it's a good idea to ask specifically to know the level of their training and expertise.

---

Online Resources

Breastfeeding Picture Guide
Source: March of Dimes.

Breastfeeding Information
Source: March of Dimes.

La Leche League

United States Breastfeeding Committee

The National Women's Health Information Center
Source: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services.

Breastfeeding Links and Resources
Source: San Diego County Breastfeeding Coalition

Some documents on this Web Site are saved in Adobe Acrobat format. If you do not own a copy of Acrobat Reader, you may download it for free.