Breast/chestfeeding
For optimal health of both baby and mom, infants should be fed only human milk for the first 6 months after birth whenever possible. Babies should continue to receive human milk along with solid food for two years or more, as long as mother and baby desire it. Learn more about breast/chestfeeding, get help when you need it, and know your breast/chestfeeding rights.
Learn More About Breast/chestfeeding
Find the answers to dozens of breast/chestfeeding questions at the American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting website.
Get Support to Feed Your Baby
Better Beginnings for Babies hosts "Breastfeeding Cafes" throughout Sonoma County where parents can receive professional support from lactation specialists and consultatants at no cost. Call 707-902-3031 for more information.
Breastfeed LA offers a free Black Breastfeeding Support Group weekly on Wednesdays from 2:30-4:30. This is a No-Cost breast/chest feeding support group open to Black, African-American, & African pregnant or postpartum parents and partners. Pre-registration is required for the Zoom link. La leche league international offers online support groups in English and Spanish, online breastfeeding meetings, links to local support groups and a free e-newsletter.
Breastfeeding with Sarah features videos from a local Registered Nurse, Public Health Nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Sarah provides information on what to expect, how to latch and more, including when to seek support from an IBCLC.
Nursing with Nurses is a free weekly support group open to all community members. The group is led by Sonoma County Home Visiting Nurses and meets at 625 5th Street in Santa Rosa every Thursday from 10:30-12. English and Spanish speaking nurses are available at every meeting. for questions call: 707-565-4440.
The Sonoma County Breastfeeding Coalition promotes and supports breastfeeding with information about local breastfeeding support resources and breastfeeding events.
Get Donor Human Milk or Donate Human Milk
Pasteurized Donor Human Milk is now covered by Medi-Cal with your medical provider's order- for many medical reasons, including low milk supply. Learn more: https://mothersmilk.org/get-milk/.
Contact the Mothers' Milk Bank at 408-638-2822, email recipient.coordinator@mothersmilk.org, or on their website: https://mothersmilk.org
Become a Human Milk Donor! Human milk donation fulfills an important role in keeping babies healthy and thriving. YOU can save a life by donating your milk to the Mothers' Milk Bank.
Learn more here.
Learn More about Your Right to Breast/chestfeed at work, at school, and in public places
Know your rights to breastfeed and pump breastmilk at work, at school, in public transit stations and airports, and in public.
Report issues at work, unlawful discrimination and learn more at the CDPH Breastfeeding Laws page.
Get a Lactation Pump!
Call Sonoma County Women, Infants & Children (WIC) at (707) 565-6590 for details on how to obtain a breast pump. For information about additional WIC services, visit the Sonoma County WIC website.
If you or your baby have Partnership Health Plan you can call for help in English or Spanish to get a breast pump: (800) 809-1350 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.