The Milk Bank launches monthly Baby Cafe meetings for nursing moms
We've talked a lot this month about breastfeeding across theCityMoms channels - and why not? The first week of August is recognized as World Breastfeeding Week; the balance month is National Breastfeeding Awareness Month and not to overlook... we're moms {holla!}. We're always attuned to all-things feeding our babies/kids/families. So upon learning The Milk Bank will launch new Baby Café meetings for nursing moms, we also knew it was something you, fave reader, would want to know. Here's the full scoop:
Breastfeeding can be a touchy subject. For some mommas it works; for others it doesn’t. For me personally, I lasted one week on the breast, one month pumping and then I was done. While that’s my story and my daughter is thriving, I can’t help but wonder if I’d had more support or a community of other moms struggling too... would I have had a more pleasant breastfeeding experience?
Enter The Milk Bank Baby Café.
In September 2019, The Milk Bank of Indianapolis launched a regular monthly Baby Café program, an affiliate to the national Baby Café program. The Milk Bank - known for supporting and facilitating milk donations to families in need - has long championed local moms, breastfeeding and the benefits of supporting community, so the launch of Baby Café feels like a natural extension. What is it? A Baby Café is a gathering of other nursing moms in a safe setting for questions and community, offering:
Support from a range of trained staff including health professionals such as board-certified lactation consultants, midwives and nurses, and other accredited counselors
Opportunities to share experiences: From breastfeeding to starting solids, from postpartum mental health to managing new pregnancies while you are nursing a toddler
Refreshments, comfortable seating, and open-forum discussions
All offered free of charge to attendees
Sarah Lang, the Director of Clinical Operations at The Milk Bank and a lactation consultant herself, knows the struggle personally and professionally. She's excited to be opening the doors of a Baby Café right here in Indianapolis. “I was part of a Baby Café myself when I had my children. You can read every book under the sun but until you sit and talk with another mom struggling in the same way you may be, it’s hard to feel truly supported. Normalizing breastfeeding and making real friendships makes a huge impact.”
MORE DETAILS: The Milk Bank Baby Cafe meetings are held at The Haverstick {located at Church at the Crossing, 9111 Haverstick Rd, Indianapolis}. This location's meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month from 10am-12pm. 1st and 3rd Mondays are hosted at DayStar Childcare at Englewood Christian Church, 57 N Rural St, Indianapolis, from 1-3pm. Grand opening parties will be celebrated on 12/9/19 at The Haverstick and Englewood Christian Church on 12/16/19. Visit their website for more details.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Well, Amanda Clark is amazing. And had we realized we didn’t have her bio sooner, we would have totes checked in to grab it! But for now, here’s a smashing photo of her and sweet daughter Mira. And you should probably read up more on her work in the community here, where we spotlight her and her incredible foundation, Cocktails and Chemo.
