A Baby Café is a free resource for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to get support from specifically-trained staff and to share experiences with other moms. No appointment is needed and Baby Café sites are generally open at least once a week and offer refreshments, comfortable seating, and open-forum discussion. Some Cafes offer play areas for accompanying toddlers. Locations vary from church halls, community rooms and soup kitchens to WIC clinics and hospitals. Some Cafés welcome male partners, and all Cafés welcome female supporters.
Benefits of Visiting a Baby Café
Currently, approximately 75% of all US women start breastfeeding, but of those moms, 60% do not reach their own goals. To improve these rates, Baby Cafés offer support on all aspects of breastfeeding and its impact on daily life – from prenatal to weaning, as well as assistance with pumping and maintaining supply if moms return to work outside the home.
Baby Café sites are run by a range of trained staff including health professionals such as board certified lactation consultants (IBCLCs), midwives and nurses, and other qualified and accredited breastfeeding counselors. All will have specific training and experience in helping breastfeeding families to provide a consistent, high standard of care.
Visit the Baby Café USA for more information and find out how to start a café in your area.
Locations in Alabama:
Anniston – First Christian Church, 1327 Leighton Avenue, Anniston – Meets Tuesday mornings from 10a-noon
Birmingham:
Avondale – East 59 Vintage Cafe, 7619 1st Avenue North, Birmingham – Thursday evenings at 5:30
6th Avenue Church – 1101 Martin Luther King Dr., Birmingham – Friday mornings from 11a-1p
St. Vincent’s 119 – 7191 Cahaba Valley Road, Birmingham – Wednesday mornings from 10a-12n
St. Vincent’s Birmingham – 810 St. Vincent’s Drive, Birmingham – Tuesdays from 1p-3p AND Wednesdays from 10a-1p
Alabama’s Breastfeeding Facebook Pages