Western Mass Resources for New Parents
WMass Support Groups (link)
Nursing & Formula Support/Help Groups (link)
Donor Milk Resources (link)
Western Mass Playgroups (List of almost all the area playgroups, story times, and support groups for parents.
Playgroups/Storytimes (link, but check out local libraries, CFCEs, etc)
Macaroni Kids Springfield (Playgroups, Story Times, Kid-Centered Events)
Western New England Families (List of Area Activities for Kids, Seasonal Events)
Facebook Parent Groups
Greenfield, MA Moms, Parents, and Caregivers
It Takes A Village Parents Circle (Hilltowns, etc)
Crunchy Moms of Upper Pioneer Valley
Mostly Crunchy Moms of Sturbridge, Palmer, & Beyond
Almost Crunchy Moms of Southern Pioneer Valley and Beyond
Brattleboro Area Parents Network
Village Closet and Resources (Brattleboro)
Lactation Consultants
Lindsey & Megan from Dairy Fairy Lactation MA - does home visits - covering Western & Central MA - can give superbill so you can be reimbursed by insurance
Shelley Taft IBCLC - does home visits - charges (some) insurances directly or gives superbill so you can be reimbursed by insurance
Lex Beach IBCLC - Northampton, MA - Offers home visits or meet at Seven Sisters Midwifery - Cost can be covered by most insurances
Lisa Fortin IBCLC - Ashfield, MA - Offer home visits or Zoom visits, gives superbill so you can be reimbursed by insurance
Green River Doula Network (link - doulas, lactation consultants, and more)
FREE: Local Nursing Mother's Council - text, call, email options (in-person groups, text/call/in-person/zoom nursing help by volunteers)
Vital Milk 13 Montague Rd Amherst, MA 01301
Helps you compare and order pumps through your insurance, offers 1:1 help in-person and home delivery/set-up of pump.
Instagram/Internet Pumping/Nursing Resources
KellyMom.Com, the breastfeeding center OH
Instagram/Websites: Onewiththepump*, Legendairy milk, the leaky boob, karrie locker IG
*Amazing for back to work pumping resources!
Babywearing
Village Babywearing (Brattleboro, Keene, WMass Area Group for BST & Fit Checks)
Western Mass Babywearing BST (FB Group - BST & Fit Checks)
Western MA Babywearing (FB Group - BST & Fit Checks)
Babywearing On A Budget (FB BST Group)
Babywearing On A Budget America (FB BST Group)
Where to buy locally: Hens & Chicks Greenfield, Once Upon A Child West Springfield, Whippersnappers Brattleboro, Love It Twice Brattleboro
Diaper Resources
List of Diaper Banks (Free Disposable Diapers - list on our website, on United Way website - some have cloth diapers for free, too)
The Cloth Option (Free Cloth Diapers -- Holyoke, Nationwide - ships to you)
Local Cloth Diaper Laundry Services
Changing Habits: https://www.changinghabits.com/
Kind by Nature: http://kindbynatureliving.com/lets-get-started/
Cloth Diaper Learning, Troubleshooting, Washing Routines
WMass Loves Fluff (Local BST Facebook Group, Fit checks, Wash Routines, etc)
Cloth Diapering 101 by Green Mountain Diapers (All sorts of info on cloth diapers, with great photos!)
How much liquid do certain cloth diapers hold? Article (Good for overnight)
Troubleshooting by Fluff Love University
Nicki’s Diaper Facebook Chatter Group (help with fit check, wash, troubleshooting, etc)
Washing Cloth Diapers by Fluff Love University (note: Some argue that they use too much detergent)
Washing Cloth Diapers by Nicki’s Diapers
Green Mountain Diapers Friends Group (Facebook BST Group + Advice on Wash/Troubleshooting)
Local Places To Buy Cloth Diapers
Hens & Chicks Greenfield, MA
Whipper Snappers Brattleboro, VT
Love It Twice Brattleboro, VT
WMass Love Fluff Facebook Group
Childcare Resources
Care.com
sevenhills.org/programs/child-care-resources (huge list - can help w income eligible vouchers to help pay for childcare)
Families Needing Child Care/Babysitting in the Pioneer Valley
Contact local CFCE(s) since they usually have leads on home & center daycares, stay-at-home parents, nannies, or other with openings for childcare
(Don’t be shy - feel free to contact multiple!)
Example: Community Network for Children; Pioneer Valley CFCE; Mohawk CFCE; etc may know local licensed daycares, nannies, etc.
Back To Work Resources
Pumping Resources: Onewiththepump (instagram/web)
Article (link)
IG: jo.return.to.work.mum.mentor, investinginwomencareers
Tip: Start back on a Friday, so it’s a less intense transition
Tip: Block off times in calendar for pumping (if applicable). Do not allow meetings during this time. You have a legal right to pump.
Tip: Feed baby before you leave them, pump on way to or right when you get to work.
Tip: Part-time return initially, if possible, really does help with the transition back!
Tip: Negotiate some Work-From-Home/Remote days/half-days, if possible.
Sleep Resources
Safe Sleep 7 - Le Leche League (recommend read even if don’t plan on bedsharing bc many folx think sleeping on couch with baby is safe and this is how infant deaths often occur when “bedsharing”)
FB: Biologically Normal Infant & Toddler Sleep; The Beyond Sleep Training Project
IG: heysleepbaby, islagracesleep, taylorkulick
Feeding Resources
Solids Starts (great story about how she gave her firstborn purees for 18+ months, due to fear of choking, not realising it would result in picky eating & how she’s reversing it)
Kids Eat In Color (amazing resource!!)
nutrichicos (IG)
Playing & Parenting
Days With Grey (also have FB & IG)
Busy Toddler (also have FB & IG)