some families, the shift to online spaces has actually opened doors to new ways of engaging with a community, regardless of their physical location. In Idaho, a local Le Leche League leader reports regular engagement with mothers from outside of the state who accidentally connected with a group. Although there is nothing quite like in-person support for pregnancy preparation, breastfeeding, and parental training or encouragement, organizations across the world are still finding ways to embrace going digital, even as things move, however temporarily, back to in-person support.
Advocacy Organizations
Where to Find Support
The Idaho Breastfeeding Coalition is a nonprofit 501c3 who strives to establish breastfeeding as a biological norm for a healthier Idaho by working in five focus areas (legislative, breastfeeding research, coalition support for breastfeeding as a norm, community outreach and education, and support of national initiatives). In support of breastfeeding families, we have developed a robust bank of resources, listed by Idaho Health Department District, on www.idahobreastfeeding.org/ community-resources. Please let us know if there’s something we can do to support you.
Peer Support Groups To address her self doubt and isolation, Southorn asked her husband for his support, but knew she’d need to seek out community too. She connected with other mothers in her circle via social media and texts, which gave her a sense of belonging. “I wasn’t the only one who had questions or struggled with every day aspects of breastfeeding or getting sleep,” she says. Southorn also found an app called “Peanut” that connects users with local moms, through which she formed friendships. For parents interested in more formal breastfeeding support, there are peer counselors through WIC, as well as groups like La Leche League and Breastfeeding USA, helping to build community and offer advice through peer support. These frequently happen in online spaces too.
Professional Service Providers For mental health support, there are a variety of counselors offering services online, including sites like Better Help and Talk Space, which offer many providers in one place and operate quickly. For breastfeeding issues, private practice lactation support professionals are excellent resources for families, and often meet clients online or in small, private settings. They maintain relationships with a variety of professionals who support breastfeeding through things like chiropractic care, craniosacral therapy, and even massage, and connect parents to resources that fit their needs. Local hospitals also offer a variety of services, including prenatal breastfeeding and childbirth education, in person outpatient location services, online free weekly parenting support groups, on and offline. To learn more, contact your local hospital.
Organizations like Postpartum Support International and Maternal Mental Health Now seek to connect users with local resources, host online support groups, and host a variety of online resources for struggling parents. A simple internet search for “postpartum support” can also help connect you to resources in your area. If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Additional Resources
Koleilat, M., Whaley, S. E., & Clapp, C. (2022). The Impact of COVID-19 on Breastfeeding Rates in a Low-Income Population. Breastfeeding medicine : the official journal of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, 17(1), 33–37. https://doi.org/10.1089/ bfm.2021.0238
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Heather Hamilton-Post is a passionate advocate for breastfeeding after embarking upon very different breastfeeding relationships with each of her children. She holds a degree in Agricultural Communications from University of Idaho and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from University of Arizona. A lifelong Idahoan, she now works as a writer and editor in Caldwell.
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