Vermont Breastfeeding Resources
Breastfeeding, the key to the good health of mothers and babies, also significantly benefits families, employers, and society. For these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be breastfed for the first full year of life.
- Breastfeeding Information for New Mothers
- Vermont Department of Health District Offices
- La Leche League
- Home Health Agencies
- Breastfeeding Friendly Employer Project
- Other Resources
Vermont Department of Health District Offices
District Office staff can help pregnant women and new mothers find breastfeeding resources. We offer education, encouragement and support for breastfeeding mothers and can arrange home visits during and after pregnancy.
We provide breast pumps for women enrolled in WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children), and for those who are returning to school or work.
WIC provides health and nutrition screening, nutrition information and healthy foods for breastfeeding women, available through the baby’s first year.
Locate the Vermont Department of Health District Office in your area. For more information, call 800-464-4343, ext. 7333; or 802-863-7333.
La Leche League
The La Leche League is an international organization dedicated to helping breastfeeding mothers. It has 3,000 local groups throughout the United States, including many in Vermont communities. La Leche League groups meet regularly to share breastfeeding information and mothering experience. There is no charge to attend La Leche League meetings, and Leaders are available to answer breastfeeding questions over the phone.
Contacts for many groups in and near Vermont are listed on the following websites. If you do not find a nearby group listed, contact your local District Office for more information or use the La Leche League Find a Leader tool on their website.
La Leche League websites:
- La Leche League of Vermont
- La Leche League of Central Vermont
- La Leche League of Franklin County, Vermont
- La Leche League of Jericho, Vermont
- Also see: La Leche League International
- Breastfeeding Information from La Leche League
- Find a La Leche League Leader near you
Home Health Agencies
Vermont’s private, not-for-profit home health agencies and visiting nurse associations work in collaboration with the Vermont Health Department through the Healthy Babies, Kids & Families Program to provide comprehensive education and support to new families.
Home health agencies typically offer home visiting by maternal and child health nurses, both before and after birth, and assistance with early and ongoing breastfeeding needs.
For more about home health agencies, you may visit the VNA Health Systems of Vermont website .
- Locate a home health agency nearest you
Other Resources
- Vermont Breastfeeding Coalition timeline (pdf)
- Healthy Babies, Kids & Families Program
- Breastfeedingpartners.org - Breastfeeding information from the New York WIC Program.
- 4Woman.org - Breastfeeding questions and answers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Kellymom.com - Breastfeeding information for mothers, with many links to other Internet sources of information.