4 breastfeeding resources for new Birmingham moms

Let’s face it: breastfeeding (and being a new mom in general) can be really challenging. I would know, as I have a 10-month-old at home. If you make the decision to breastfeed–which is a personal decision–it’s nice to have some help. The good news is that there are several resources in Birmingham for moms to get advice and support, including a new app called pumpspotting that’s stopping by The Summit on July 27–more info is below. 

Here are some options if you need help with breastfeeding or just another mom to talk to!

St. Vincent’s Baby Café

St. Vincent’s Baby Café is a place where new moms can go with their babies to ask questions about nursing and connect with other moms. If you didn’t give birth at St. Vincent’s, no worries! You can still go to the Baby Café. Dates, times and locations are below:

• St. Vincent’s Birmingham: 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 810 St Vincents Dr, Birmingham, AL 35205 
• St. Vincent’s 119: Wednesdays from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m.; 7191 Cahaba Valley Rd., Birmingham, AL 35242
• St. Vincent’s East: Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 100 Pilot Medical Dr. #175, Birmingham, AL 35235

Brookwood Baptist Support Groups

Brookwood’s breastfeeding groups are held in a casual setting designed for moms to come and go as they please. Moms can bring their babies and a female support person. There are at least two lactation consultants at every meeting. You can also call their breastfeeding helpline at (205) 877-1978. Again, if you didn’t give birth at Brookwood it’s no problem–you can still go to these support groups!

• McCalla: Monday mornings 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church: 4809 Bell Hill Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022
• Downtown Birmingham: Monday afternoons 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., 6th Ave. Baptist Church (2nd floor): 1101 Martin Luther King Drive, Birmingham, AL 35211
• Trussville: Tuesday mornings 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Trussville First Baptist Church (Room 138): 128 North Chalkville Rd., Trussville, AL 35173
• Greystone: Tuesday afternoons 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Church of Brook Hills (Room 306): 3145 Brook Highland Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242
• Vestavia: Thursday mornings 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Redstone Church: 600 Montgomery Highway, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216
• Alabaster: Thursday afternoons 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., Shelby Baptist Medical Center (women’s entrance): 1000 1st Street North., Alabaster, AL

Chocolate Milk Mommies

Chocolate Milk Mommies is a group looking to bring breastfeeding resources to women who otherwise may not have access. 

According to their GoFundMe page, “Not only are breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates 3x lower for black women but we are also more likely to die during childbirth. We want to provide the proper resources and necessary education in order to reduce and possibly eliminate these health disparities.”

The group has a Facebook page @ChocMilkMoms where women can find support, and meeting times are below:

UNTIL SEPTEMBER 7, 2019:

• Bessemer: First Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m., University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical West: 995 9th Ave SW, Bessemer, AL 35022
• East Lake: Second Monday of each month at 5:00 p.m., East Lake United Methodist Church: 7753 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35206

AFTER SEPTEMBER 7, 2019:

• Bessemer: First Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m., University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical West: 995 9th Ave SW, Bessemer, AL 35022
• East Lake: Second Saturday of each month at 11:00 a.m., East Lake United Methodist Church: 7753 1st Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35206

pumpspotting

Pumpspotting is an app whose goal is to connect moms and make the postpartum period less isolating. Through the app, moms can talk with others, search for information and find a place to nurse or pump.

Pumpspotting’s “breast express,” the company’s “nursing suite on wheels,” is stopping by The Summit on July 27. The event will be held in partnership with Wyndy, a Birmingham-based babysitting app. More info can be found here. 

Where: 214 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, AL, 35243

When: July 27, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In addition to these resources, it’s nice to hear about more and more Birmingham companies providing private rooms for breastfeeding mothers to pump. There’s also a milk bank, Mother’s Milk Bank of Alabama, where mothers can donate excess milk to those who need it. What other resources have you heard about?

NOTE: Not all moms can or choose to breastfeed. Whether you’re breastfeeding, pumping, formula feeding or a combination, you’ve got this, mama!

What did we miss? Let us know @bhamnow.