Building Your Support Network

Before your baby is born, it is ideal to have your support network already in place. Once you enter the new world of parenthood you will only have small fragments of time to explore and research. Whereas just days or weeks before you could spend at least a half hour exploring the internet, you now have two minutes squeezed between grabbing a snack and changing your baby’s nappies. Childless friends you used to socialize with just don’t understand how much your life has changed. Theirs hasn’t. You may yearn for someone who understands. For many families, this is the time when the new parents grow closer to their own parents. They now share a common bond as nurturers.

But not all families have a built-in support network for all aspects of parenting. Some families, for example, do not have any breastfeeding role models. Others have challenges that are more involved than their family circle can resolve. Where can they turn?

Whether you are looking for a breastfeeding teacher to get you started, a peer to show you the ropes, or if you’re having breastfeeding challenges that require expert guidance, the following list will guide you to some of the key people to look to for help.