Suncoast La Leche League

The “secret” to successfully breastfeeding is having many breastfeeding resources at hand and to surround yourself with lots of support. The following excerpts are from an article in New Beginnings titled “10 Tips to Breastfeeding for a Year.”

One of the easiest ways to find supportive people is to attend La Leche League meetings during your pregnancy. Experienced Leaders often note that mothers who are involved with LLL before birth tend to have an easier time because they are more educated about the normal course of breastfeeding. Plus, if there are unexpected issues, mothers who have already attended meetings are often more comfortable calling a Leader they already know.

So…someone who is seeking breastfeeding help needs to decide what kind of help she needs. Are you looking for help via phone or in person or maybe via email? Are

you willing to pay a professional a fee? (Some breastfeeding situations require the help of a medical professional.) Do you need a home visit? An LLL Leader can help you to find the information you need to solve your breastfeeding problems and questions. This article by Diane Wiessinger, IBCLC might be helpful with making your decision.

Local breastfeeding resources near Sarasota, FL are listed on this page:

If you DON’T live in Sarasota or Manatee or Charlotte Counties in Florida, check here to find the nearest US Leader.

Local Breastfeeding help by phone (free):

Your local La Leche League Leaders in Sarasota , Manatee and Charlotte Counties. These experienced mothers are accredited by La Leche League International to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding. La Leche League Leaders are available for phone calls whenever a mother has breastfeeding questions that cannot wait until the next series meeting. Call the Leader nearest you or call any Leader you can reach. We are happy to talk with you, so please don’t hesitate to call!  All breastfeeding help is completely confidential. Since we are mothers, as well as volunteers, working from our own homes, we do appreciate your efforts to time your calls accordingly. 

 

Other telephone help: 

• SARASOTA MEMORAL HOSPITAL — Breastfeeding Warm Line and Lactation Consultant for Labor and Delivery and Mother/Baby Unit: 917-7413
•  SARASOTA MEMORAL HOSPITAL – Lactation Consultant  Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensie Care Unit 917-2833
•  SARASOTA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: HEALTHY START: 861-2905
•  WIC and Nutrition Breastfeeding Coordinators: Collin Carpenter (Sarasota): 861-2929, June Vargas (Venice): 861-3336

Breastfeeding help in person:

Local LLL meetings (Series Meeting Information page) FREE.

Call your local hospital to make an appointment with the lactation consultant (there may be a fee) or consult the International Lactation Consultant Association at 919-861-5577 or

Breastfeeding help by email:

To obtain help from a La Leche League Leader via e-mail, please use the La Leche League International Help Forms (reply might be in a few days).  Our webmistress can answer your questions about this blogsite but we regret that we are unable to answer breastfeedng questions by e-mail via this site.  We are happy to answer your questions by telephone and find that it is much  more personal and more effective when we can have a conversation with you and get all of your questions answered.

Breastpump rental:

Walgreens, 3901 S. Tamiami Tr, Sarasota, 926-2522

(Hwy 41 at Bee Ridge Road)

Lactation Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care: 917-2833

Lactation Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care: 917-2833

SARASOTA MEMORAL HOSPITAL–Lactation Consultant, Pediatrics and Neonatal Intensive Care: 917-2833