Breastfeeding Peer Support Groups

In September 2016 the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, in partnership with Sarasota Memorial Hospital, was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation to enhance breastfeeding support across Sarasota County.

With these funds, we created a 2-day Breastfeeding Peer Counselor training provided by Sarasota Memorial Hospital in English and Spanish. The curriculum was based on WIC's Loving Support Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Training but modified for use with non-WIC clients.

During the training thirteen moms learned essential skills for lactation management, methods for making referrals to local resources, and steps for leading breastfeeding support groups in their communities.

The peer counselors were invited to mentor with our community's more experienced breastfeeding support providers and to attend breastfeeding support groups to get hands-on experience.

Currently, Breastfeeding Peer Counselors staff the Breastfeeding Advocates of Sarasota County (BASC)'s support group which rotates between Selby Library (Downtown Sarasota), Sarasota Memorial Hospital's North Port ER and Health Clinic (South County), and Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County (North County) every Saturday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Groups are informal and fun and moms can stop by at any point between 10:00 and 12:00 and get help, or just chat with other moms. Refreshments and fun activities or special guests are invited to discuss helpful topics such as nutrition, baby wearing, and nursiversary celebrations to recognize milestones.

Visit a group today and meet our team!

  • Selby Library 1331 1st St. Sarasota, FL 34236 Children's Activity Room Every 1st and 3rd Saturday (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)
  • Sarasota Memorial ER and Health Care Center in North Port 2345 Bobcat Villiage Center Rd. North Port, FL 34288 2nd Floor Conference Room Every 2nd and 4th Saturday (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)
  • Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County 1750 17th St. Building A, Sarasota, FL 34234 Every 5th Saturday (10:00 am - 12:00 pm)

For more information, stop by one of the groups or contact Jame Thumm at  [email protected] or 941-373-7070 ext. 307 for more information.

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Sponsored by a Grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

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