Do you struggle breastfeeding your baby? You're not alone. In fact, issues like mastitis, inadequate milk, pain and even oversupply can cause many women to have trouble breastfeeding.
According to Brown University, breastfeeding your baby and toddler offers your child many health and psychological benefits, including improved brain development.
The benefits babies receive from breastfeeding have long been touted. Two recent studies, however, show that breastfeeding has positive effects for mothers, too.
Breastfeeding can help reduce the risk of an aggressive type of breast cancer and can cut diabetes risk, according to those studies.
However, many women have trouble breastfeeding or experience a few roadblocks along the way. If this sounds like you, don't despair — get back in the flow by seeking help from breastfeeding specialists around the Atlanta area.
Fulton County
Atlanta Breastfeeding Consultants. 5252 Roswell Road, Suite 200, Sandy Springs, Ga. 30342. 404-590-6455. www.atlantabreastfeedingconsultants.com. Consultations, breastfeeding classes and support from board certified lactation consultants with a combined 20 years of experience.
Lactation Consultants of Atlanta. 2024 Powers Ferry Road, Suite 201, Atlanta, Ga. 30339. 770-644-0555. www.breastfeedingatlanta.com. Classes, home visits and consultations from board certified lactation consultants with a focus on building confidence and success in breastfeeding.
Breastfeed Atlanta, LLC. 575 Blvd., S.E., Suite 2A, Atlanta, Ga .30312. 404-454-9715. www.breastfeedatlantallc.com. Breastfeeding classes, in-home, hospital and office consultations, rental and sales of breast pumps and continuing education for health care professionals from board certified lactation consultants.
Cobb County
Loving Hands Lactation Care. 2090 Baker Road, Suite 304 #125, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144. 404-692-3655. www.gabreastfeeding.com. Offers individualized breastfeeding classes and in-home consultations to meet your needs.
La Leche League Kennesaw. First United Lutheran Church, 3481 Campus Loop Road, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144. 770-427-0325. www.lllofga.org. Round table discussions and encouragement from other breastfeeding mothers in a supportive and nurturing environment. Held the second Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m. at the First United Lutheran Church in Kennesaw.
Gwinnett County
La Leche League Gwinnett. Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church, 1450 Pine Road, Room 339, Dacula, Ga. 30019. 678-442-7731. www.lllofga.org. Mother-to-mother support, education and encouragement for breastfeeding women. Support group meetings are held 10 a.m. on the first Friday of every month at the Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church in Dacula.
Lactation Services at Gwinnett Medical Center. 1000 Medical Center Blvd., Lawrenceville, Ga. 30046. 678-312-1000. www.gwinnettmedicalcenter.org. Breastfeeding classes, breast pump rentals, consultations and breastfeeding support groups offered by board certified lactation consultants. Winner of the International Board of Lactation Consultants Care Award.
DeKalb County
Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere. 3035 Stone Mountain St., Suite 1076, Lithonia, Ga. 30058. 404-719-4297. www.breastfeedingrose.org. Offers advocacy, support and empowerment of breastfeeding African-American women. Hosts regular breastfeeding clubs and breastfeeding circles to help promote breastfeeding within the black community.
DeKalb Medical Baby Talk Support Group. The Women's and Surgery Center room 3040, 2701 North Decatur Road, Decatur, Ga. 30033. 404-501-WELL. www.dekalbmedical.org. Breastfeeding support group led by a certified lactation consultant in a mother-to-mother style. Also offers regular baby weigh-ins.
Forsyth County
North Georgia Breastfeeding Center and Wellness. 107 Colony Park Drive, Unit 700, Cumming, Ga. 30040. 678-965-0103. www.northgeorgiabreastfeedingcenter.com. Prenatal assessment, breastfeeding classes and consultation from board certified lactation specialists, breast pump rentals and breastfeeding support groups. Also offers wellness services that include prenatal yoga, infant massage and cranial sacral therapy.
Oasis Lactation Services 8600 Amsbury Way, Cumming, Ga. 30041. 404-788-8517. www.oasislactationservices.com. In-office consultations in a home-like environment. Services include lactation support, water therapy, Infant Self Attachment and Biological Nurturing.
Remember, just because you run into a little breastfeeding bump in the road does not mean that you have to end your nursing journey. Before throwing in the burp cloth, get help from a lactation specialist who can help you learn breastfeeding techniques, assess your condition, provide you with support and encourage you to build confidence in your ability to feed your baby.
Did you know that breastfeeding could save more than 800,000 children's lives per year?
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