Rhode Island Breastfeeding Support Groups & Resources {Updated 2022}

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Rhode Island Moms
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We know that breastfeeding can be a huge physical and emotional journey for many women, but the chances of success are greatly increased with the right support beforehand, at the beginning, and along the way.

When and if you are in need of assistance in the art of breastfeeding your little one, here is a list of resources to get the help and community you need.

National Breastfeeding Websites

The following sites provide information about how to get started with breastfeeding and troubleshoot many common breastfeeding problems:

Local Breastfeeding Classes

If you are currently pregnant and have the desire to breastfeed, taking the time to educate and prepare yourself ahead of time will increase your chances of success. In addition to classes that may be offered by your provider or hospital, the following Rhode Island organizations offer in-person and/or remote class options:

It is worth noting that breastfeeding classes are often grouped on pages with childbirth and caring for infant classes but can be taken independently.

Breastfeeding Support Groups

Breastfeeding challenges can often be lessened by spending time with others on the same journey. As an added bonus these groups are also usually free and open to all. The following is a (non-exhaustive)  list of breastfeeding support groups located in Rhode Island:

  • Chocolate Milk Cafe RI is a breastfeeding support group offered through Our Journ3i whose meetings are intentionally purposed for black identifying breastfeeders and their families. The RI group is facilitated by Q. Osario, Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC). Meetings are currently offered virtually the first Thursday of every month from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm. You can follow Chocolate Milk on Facebook or call 401.307.1882 for more information.
  • La Leche League of Rhode Island (translated: The Milk League) currently offers support group meetings led by qualified lactation counselors on zoom and they are hoping to restart in-person meetings in Providence in summer 2022. They will work with you individually free of charge via calls and texts, and will help you find further support should you need more specialized help (For example tongue ties, etc…). For further information, or to receive a zoom link for future meetings, join their private Facebook group or call Katie at (401) 952-2956. For wider regional events, follow La Leche League of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont on Facebook.
  • South County Hospital offers a new parent support group, including breastfeeding support, every Tuesday from 10 am to 12 noon. It is held at The Neighborhood Guild, 325 Columbia St in South Kingstown, and is led by Amanda, IBCLC. This group is open to all new parents, including partners and babies being formula-fed. Pre-registration is not required, but siblings are currently not permitted due to hospital restrictions. They also offer weight checks on baby pre and post-feed. Masks are required. Questions call: 401.788.1226
  • Jacquelyn Aldrich RN, BSN, IBCLC (mysticalcavesmilkiways.com) offers a range of private services and is hosting a free baby weigh-in every Saturday (weather permitting) from 10-11:30 am in Wilcox Park in Westerly. Jacquelyn will also be available to answer any breastfeeding or parenting questions that you may have. In the event of inclement weather, other arrangements will be made. All are welcome. For further information, call 401.741-2372.
  • Healthy Babies, Happy Moms in East Greenwich holds regular free breastfeeding support group meetings on Fridays from 2-3:30 pm. Call 401-884-8273.
  • At the time of writing, Landmark Hospitals’ breastfeeding support group was on hold due to the pandemic, but they are able to recommend other service providers.
Lactation Consultants, Hotlines, and Other One-on-One Support

If you are needing some one-on-one advice and support, there are many certified lactation consultants and other individuals such as postpartum doulas that may be able to help. Ask around your local mom friends and online networks for recommendations. Some services may be able to accept insurance, and many will mention this on their website; it is always worth checking with your insurance provider.

  • Women and Infants have paused its in-person support group due to the pandemic, however, they do still offer a 1-hour clinical consultation at the hospital. Many insurances will cover this visit, and it is open to all regardless of whether you have delivered at Women and Infants or not. For more information and to schedule a visit, call 800.711.7011.
  • Women and Infants ‘Warm Line‘ is a free service you can call to ask questions about yourself or your baby. Leave your message, name, and phone number and an experienced nurse/lactation consultant will call you back within an hour. The Warm Line is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. Call 800.711.7011.
  • Kent Hospital has similarly paused its breastfeeding support group but is still providing individual consultations over the phone, zoom, or in-person at the hospital. The lactation consultant can be reached at 401.737.7000 ext. 33332.
  • Newport Hospital currently has a dedicated member of staff for lactation advice and support. For more information call 401. 845.1110 during regular hours and ask to speak to Victoria.
  • Informed Pregnancy and Birth Collective LLC offers a range of services for pregnancy and postpartum including experienced breastfeeding support focusing on safe latching, positioning, nutrition education, and bonding. If you are a refugee asylum seeker or a victim of domestic violence you may be able to access these services for free. Email [email protected] or call 401.525.0577.
  • AM Lactation Support serves Providence County and surrounding areas by offering in-person and virtual visits. They work directly with a local pediatric dentist to address issues such as tongue-tie and offer a baby-led weaning class for when you’re ready to start solids. For more information call 401.252.9332, contact on Facebook or book an appointment online via the website.
  • Search for other certified lactation consultants in your local area on the US Lactation Consultant Website here. You can find a list of postpartum doulas that serve RI here; many offer support with breastfeeding in addition to other postpartum services, and some are qualified CLCs. For example, check out Paulette Butler at Night Light Doula.

Finally, if you need more information and support on breastfeeding you can contact the Rhode Island Breastfeeding Coalition, your local WIC office, or Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast. If you’d like to read more about our experiences with breastfeeding check out this article on breastfeeding a toddler, Black Breastfeeding Week, and a grandmother’s memories of breastfeeding. It does take a village to nourish a child no matter how you choose to feed and we are here to support each other.

For more Pregnancy and Postpartum Resources check out our Pregnancy/Postpartum Support Guide.

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