Essential Lactation
”My body, my life, became the landscape of my son’s life. I am no longer merely a thing living in the world; I am a world.” -Sarah Manguso
It can be hard to sift through all the online information available to find accurate, trustworthy sources for the many questions parents have. Here are some recommendations for websites and books that address common areas of concern and questions. Do you have a really good resource that is not listed here? Please feel free to share it by email.
Nursing Your Baby in the First Weeks and Months
Stanford University- has wonderful videos on latch, hand expression and pumping
La Leche League- A comprehensive website with current evidenced-based information.
Jack Newman MD- A Canadian physician with good videos and articles for basic breastfeeding questions
Colostrum Harvesting prenatally video
Postpartum Support and Mental Health
Baby Bistro with Essential Lactation and The Latchmaker- a drop-in infant feeding support group facilitated by IBCLCs
Whatcom Family Village- a well-being studio for families and children, including pre/postpartum support, groups, and movement classes
Whatcom County Breastfeeding Resources Guide- a consolidated list of resources here in Whatcom County
La Leche League / La Leche League of Bellingham
Perinatal Support Washington- Referral services, peer support, online therapy
CALMA-Spanish speaking support group in Lynden / The Village Circle - Postpartum group peer support
The Dad’s Space - Group peer support for self-identifying fathers
SEAS Whatcom - Local resource navigation program for families
Postpartum Support International - Postpartum support, helpline, provider directory, peer support, & more
Recommended Videos
Hand expression and breast massage - Breastfeeding Medicine of Northeast Ohio
Hands-on Pumping - Dr. Jane Morton, Stanford University
Latching your baby on more comfortably - Great video showing deep latch technique
Breast Gymnastics - Maya Bolman
Recommended Reading
The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding - Diane Wiessinger, Diana West, Teresa Pitman
Breastfeeding Without Birthing: A Breastfeeding Guide for Mothers through Adoption, Surrogacy, and Other Special Circumstances - Alyssa Schnell
Making More Milk: The Breastfeeding Guide to Increasing Your Milk Production, Second Edition - Lisa Marasco, Diana West
Parenting Resources
Prenatal Essentials: Sleep + Parenting Class with Onward Care Love Collective - This class is for pregnant people and their partners or primary support people. Open to first time, second time, and beyond parents-to-be. We are aiming to co-create a space for learning, conversation, and community building centered around Sleep + Early Parenthood, Evidence-Based Education, family autonomy, and community support!
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library Sign-up - Free, high-quality, age-appropriate books mailed to children from birth until age five
How Brains are Built - Check out how the infant brain develops and the importance of responsive parenting
BTC Community Parenting Classes - A variety of classes ranging from childbirth through parenting pre-schoolers and everything in between
Bellingham Library Storytime and Children’s Programs - free programs for you and your littles
Holistic Sleep Resources
Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Lab at Norte Dame - Comprehensive cosleeping information from Dr Jame McKenna
Safe Sleep Seven - Downloadable cosleeping guidelines from La Leche League
Lyndsey Hookway - Downloadable holistic sleep guides by age
Sweet Sleep - Diana Wiessinger and Diana West