BAY MINETTE — In observance and celebration of National Breastfeeding Month in August, North Baldwin Infirmary will host a free Baby Bistro Breastfeeding Support Group session for mothers.

On Thursday, Aug. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Java J’s Café on US 31 South in Bay Minette, attendees can have a photography session with their child, partake in refreshments, enter to win door prizes and receive self-care education from Infirmary Therapy Services and Fitness Centers.

McKenzie Benton, LPN, prenatal education liaison at Infirmary Health, said the center is a Baby Friendly hospital and started hosting Baby Bistro prior to COVID-19.

“One of the requirements of Baby Friendy is that we offer community support for breastfeeding," she said.

After COVID-19 shut down the support group sessions, they were able to start back up in 2022.

“We have seen these relationships between these moms really build since starting it back up because what one mom may be experiencing, she can help another mom who is currently going through it,” she said.

Christa Rudat, RN, MSN, IBCLC and childbirth educator at Infirmary Health, said the reason many mothers quit breastfeeding is because of a lack of support and lack of education. “By providing this service, which is held once a month at Java J’s, we are able to give them education and support throughout their journey, answer their questions and give them reassurance,” Rudat said.
Benton echoed her statements, saying many posts about breastfeeding on social media are opinion-based and do not provide the most accurate information to these moms.

“We take kind of the opinions and biasness out of all of it," she said, "and really just give them actual facts along with that support.”