Families
LVBC supports breastfeeding families by connecting them with resources they need and educating our community on the benefits of breastfeeding.
Explore links that provide breastfeeding information and support:
Breastfeeding is most successful when moms feel connected and supported by their community. The resources and information here can help you achieve the community support you need!
Covid-19 Vaccine Information
With the Covid vaccines, many breastfeeding moms want expert information about vaccine safety and lactation. The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is here to help you make your decision!
Your Breastfeeding Rights Around Town
Pennsylvania passed the Freedom to Breastfeed Act in 2007, protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be, regardless of whether the breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may not be considered a nuisance, obscenity or indecent exposure. Pa. Breastfeeding Awareness and Support Program 1-800-986-BABY (2229) www.health.state.pa.us/breastfeeding Breastfeeding: It’s Your Right in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania passed the Freedom to Breastfeed Act in 2007, protecting a mother’s right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where the mother and the child are otherwise authorized to be, regardless of whether the breast is covered during or incidental to the breastfeeding. Breastfeeding may not be considered a nuisance, obscenity or indecent exposure. Pa. Breastfeeding Awareness and Support Program 1-800-986-BABY (2229)
[Taken from www.health.pa.gov]
Local Hospital Network Visitation Policies
Check out the links here to learn about changes in visitation policies for our local hospital networks!
St Luke's University Health Network
Breastfeeding Helplines
Are you having specific challenges breastfeeding your child? Do you have specific questions that come up at various stages of your breastfeeding journey that you want addressed by a lactation expert? The following free and/or community resources can h19elp you to receive the support that you need.
Kim Stengele, CLC: 610-437-7632, Kim.Stengele@allentown-pa.gov
245 N. 6th Street Allentown, PA 18102
*FREE for residents of Allentown
Bethlehem Health Bureau Larisa Kuhn BSN RN IBCLC: 610-997-7909, lkuehn@bethlehem-pa.gov
10 E. Church Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018
*FREE for residents of Bethlehem
Click into the facebook page and send a message or contact Christy
610- 974-9095 christyhume@zoho.com
Lehigh Valley Hospital Breastfeeding Helpline (LVHN patients only)- 610-402-7264
National Breastfeeding Helpline- 1-800-994-9662 (Help available in English and Spanish)
PA Department of Health Healthy Baby Line- 1-800-986-2229
St. Luke’s University Health Network Breastfeeding Answer Line (Everyone welcome)- 484-526-BABY (2229)
WIC Breastfeeding Hotline (WIC participants only!)
855-4-ASK-MOM (855-427-5666)
Monday – Friday 8am – 8pm
Saturday & Sunday 9am – 1pm
Independent Lactation Support
Private lactation support available in the Lehigh Valley
Blossom Baby- Lehigh Valley Lactation Services
Amy Nansteel, MA, IBCLC
Phone: 610-737-9851
*Accepts Aetna insurance, offers breastfeeding classes
Lehigh Lactation Associates: Christine Roca, IBCLC
Christine Roca IBCLC
Phone: 484-602-5055
E-mail: ibclc@christineroca.com
*Home visits and virtual consults. Accepts some insurance plans (see website for details) and most HSA/FSA cards. Creative financing options available.
Jennifer Abdul-Rahman BSN RN IBCLC
E-mail: consultant@latchedeternallactation.com
Prenatal Consults, Pumping/Returning to Work Consults, Breastfeeding Consults, Verify your Insurance
*Experience with NICU infants, bottle feeding and alternative feeding methods. Holistic approach to infant sleep and feeding.
Weight checks, feeding assessment and comprehensive functional oral assessments included with all consults. **Specializes in comprehensive and holistic assessment and management of "Tongue/Lip Ties"
Ayesha Patterson IBCLC
Phone: 646-275-4982
*Home visits, virtual consults, baby weight checks
Ronee Welch, IBCLC
Phone: 484-951-0902
*Virtual consults and home visits. Specializes in increasing milk supply, holistic sleep solutions, infant massage, and postpartum nutrition
Tongue Tie & Sleep Wellness Center
Nadia Afzal, DMD, D. ABDSM
Phone: 484-767-7782 or 610-867-4461
*Dr. Afzal has received recognitions and education on tethered oral tissues through the Breathe Institute, Tongue Tied Academy, and American Laser Study Club. We are educated and trained to perform CO2 laser tongue and lip-tie releases with an emphasis on collaborative care. Follow and like us on Facebook, and Instagram!
Online Resources
Many of our moms want a place to learn all about lactation information from breastfeeding specifics to compatible medication to pumping. The information below covers it all!
Helpful Breastfeeding Videos and Podcasts :
Breastfeeding Podcasts from Dr. Anne Eglash, founder of The Milk Mob
DIY Breastfeeding on YouTube
Global Health Media Project (Free to download in multiple languages)
Resourceful Apps:
Text4Baby FREE text messages with healthy tips for you and baby, FREE app
MommyMeds Texas Tech/Infant Risk Center's database of medications and other chemicals
Coffective FREE app for pregnant moms and their "champions" educating about Baby-Friendly Hospital practices
Breastfeeding Solutions Troubleshooting for common breastfeeding problems from Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC
Outpatient Lactation Support
There is a lot of lactation support available through our medical practices in the Valley. They are often attached to your own pediatrician's office! This is a go-to list to find medical practices with in-house breastfeeding help.
Valley Health Partners Children's Clinic
610-969-4300
Erin Barber RN CLC
Shenea Wolle BSN CLC
Pond Road
610-395-4300
Leila Nassar, MA, IBCLC
Laurys Station
610-262-6641
Deborah Elsheakh, RN, CLC
Trexlertown
610-402-2600
Sarah Van Zandt, CMA, IBCLC
Lehigh Valley Family Health Center
610-969-3500
Judith Henriquez-Valerio, RN, lactation coach
VHP-Lehigh Valley Physicians Practice
610-969-4370
Ayesha Patterson, RN, IBCLC
Dawn Stang, BS, ICCE, CLC
Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Center at The Children's HealthCare Center
1517 Pond Road
Allentown, PA 18104
610-366-7676
Kenneth Toff, DO, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC
Laurie Cohen, DO, FAAP, FABM, IBCLC
Lydia Boateng, MD, FAAP, IBCLC
Ronee Welch, BS, IBCLC
**Office visits include weighted feeds, prenatal education, pumping advice, latching/positioning guidance, and more. Diagnosis and correction of tongue/lip ties. Hospital-grade rental pumps available. Depot for the Mid-Atlantic Milk Bank. Accepts most insurances. Families do NOT need to be patients of Children's Healthcare to receive these services**
1425 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18018
484-526-BABY (2229)
Rima Strassman, MD, FAAP, FABM
Heidi Koch, RN, CPN, IBCLC
The Maternal and Family Health Services WIC Nutrition Program
Allentown- (610) 432-3455
Bethlehem- (610) 691-6491
Easton- (610) 258-6938
Lehighton- (610)377-6097
Pump Suppliers
Are you returning to work and need a breast pump or need accessories for your pump? Do you want to feed your child breastmilk but would rather do that by feeding her pumped milk? Or do you just want to ability to occasionally pump milk so you can have a night out with your partner? If any or all of these apply, the following is a list of breast pump suppliers and experts in the world of pumping breastmilk.
Emmaus, Phone: (866) 255-6779
Bethlehem, Phone: 610-882-8880 or toll free 866-882-2300
Catasaqua,Phone: 610-264-5471
Allentown, Phone: 610-402-8444
Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Center
Allentown, Phone: 610-366-7676
Allentown, Phone: 610-776-4756
Baird Respiratory & Medical Equipment
Allentown, Phone: 610-395-7028
Phone: (844) 993 3740.
*If you are receiving WIC, they have pumps available for rent*
If you are not sure which pump would suit your needs best, refer to the Breast Pump Comparison Chart [courtesy of the Breastfeeding Shop, Emmaus PA] or Storkpump's Breast Pump Comparison chart. Both places help you to get a pump through your insurance.
Breast Pump Customer Service Numbers & Websites
Ameda 1-866-922-6332
Avent 1-800-542-8368
Bailey 1-800-413-3216
Hygeia 714-515-7571
Medela 1-800-435-8316
Spectra 1-855-446-6622
Support Groups
Research has shown that a successful breastfeeding experience is often made possible by having the support of women as well as families who are also breastfeeding. The Lehigh Valley has several support groups that allow you to feel connected in this way! Below is a list of wonderful groups that can embrace you throughout your breastfeeding journey.
Due to current recommendations to prevent the spread of Coronavirus many local organizations have cancelled support groups, classes and hospital tours through the end of March and will re-evaluate at that time if further cancellations are necessary. LVBC provides the schedule below for informational purposes only, LVBC does not run the listed support groups. Please contact the individual organizations if you have any further questions about meetings. Their contact information is listed below.
La Leche League leaders, WIC offices, outpatient lactation consultants, hospital warm lines, and private practice lactation consultants may still be available to answer questions by phone/text/email/Facebook or provide virtual consults.
Please check our Calendar for dates, times, and locations
La Leche League of Bethlehem - FREE, Drop In support group. Contact any leader in either group for help
St. Luke's Anderson Campus, Easton. Meetings currently being held on Zoom due to pandemic. Once things return to normal, Meeting Schedule can be found here.
Christy 610-974-9095 christyhume@zoho.com
Milk Bar Moms Group - FREE, registration required
Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Center at the Children's HealthCare Center, 1517 Pond Road, Allentown
In-person option: 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month from 10:30-11:30am
Virtual option: 2nd Thursday of every month from 7-8pm
Visit The Milk Bar - Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Center for more information and registration
LVPG Breastfeeding Support Group - 1611 Pond Road, Conference Center 4th floor, Allentown
In-person with virtual option available: 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, 6pm to 7pm
Call 610-402-CARE for more details, or go to LVHN Breastfeeding Support Group on Facebook and ask to join!
1425 Eighth Avenue
Bethlehem, PA 18018
484-526-BABY (2229)
WIC Breastfeeding Classes (WIC participants ONLY)
Allentown/Casa Guadalupe please call 610-435-5673 to schedule an appointment, FREE
Allentown/Lehigh Valley Center please call 610-432-3455 to schedule an appointment, FREE
Bethlehem please call 610-691-649 or 610-691-6022 to schedule an appointment, FREE
Easton please call 610-258-6938 to schedule an appointment, FREE
Celebrate Breastfeeding
You have worked hard to reach this point in your journey! We see you, we honor you, and we celebrate you every day of the year. Each year in August, in National Breastfeeding Month, we take it to the next level and party all month long!
Week 1: World Breastfeeding Week
Week 2: Native Breastfeeding Week
Week 3: Infant Feeding in Emergencies
Week 4: Black Breastfeeding Week
In regular years, we gather in person at the beginning of August for the Global Big Latch On and again at the end of the month to kick off Black Breastfeeding Week. We invite ALL breastfeeding families and supporters to our events. No matter what breastfeeding looks (or looked) like for you and your family, you belong.
Currently COVID 19 has pushed all of these celebrations online. You can participate or follow along on our social media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lvbreastfeeding/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LehighValleyBreastfeedingCoalition
You can also celebrate breastfeeding at the many family-friendly community events throughout the Lehigh Valley. Look for our table at the event! Here you can show off your beautiful baby, share your breastfeeding story, ask questions, and play a little boobie beanbag toss!
Stay tuned for our next appearance once we are able to have community gatherings again!
Become a member
By joining Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition, you show support for the cause of breastfeeding and help us continue and expand our work. Lehigh Valley Breastfeeding Coalition is a non-profit, volunteer-only organization. All money goes to support our activities.