Start/Search | Browse by Day | Author Index

Breastfeeding is a Group Activity: In 2000, we proposed a new group, which would be focused on supporting new mothers in their endeavor to breastfeed their babies. We wanted the group to be supportive, safe and educational and help mothers to increase the duration of their breastfeeding experience. After a review of the literature and visiting similar groups in surrounding communities, we wrote the proposal to our hospital. The format would be a group lead by an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and RN and a social worker. The hospital accepted the proposal, and nine years later this group is still going strong. We decided that the group would encourage interaction by the mothers, and the focus would be breastfeeding challenges. We provided a scale for the mother's to weigh their infants, however decided to allow this to happen independent of the group. We also agreed that the format of the group would not be one where individual consults were held; if a complicated problem was encountered, a consult would be recommended. Presently, nine years later we average between 15-25 mothers per week. In 2007 we started an evening group, which was requested by popular demand of mothers returning to work. We now have mothers attending with their fourth baby. Often mothers will come until they return to work, wean their baby, and some mothers quit coming when their toddler becomes very active. The lactation consultant handles breastfeeding and baby related questions, the mother's love to offer modeling and practical advice, and the social worker jumps in when a mom becomes tearful or is struggling with postpartum blues. There have been many rich stories woven through the threads of this group; lot's of laughter and some tears along the way. There has been the “pound a week club,” groups of mom's breaking off into toddler play groups, group pictures, and many a one year birthday celebration. We have shared in the successes and challenges of many mothers who often return to tell us how much this group meant to them. There are several keys to longevity, and one is the consistency of the leaders. Mother's come back each week and develop an ongoing relationship with the two leaders who have consistently led this group for nine years. Another key is the safety of the group. The group is a place where we encourage mothers to be open and honest with their feelings and sometimes tears erupt. The mother's themselves are also a strong part of the success of the group. They become the “experts” so to speak on how to survive the first six weeks. They model how to nurse in public or how to handle a nursing toddler. Recommendations for replicating the success of this group would be consistent leadership, offering a safe environment, strong knowledge base regarding breastfeeding by the group leaders and and an understanding of group dynamics. This has been as rewarding an experience for the leaders as it has been for the mothers.