"Motherhood is a role where we expect perfection....And yet, often do it in isolation." --Ina May Gaskin

Support and resources for mothers are booming in Monmouth County.  Get out there and connect with other mothers!  You'll feel better and your baby will thank you!

Mother Support Groups in Monmouth County:

New Moms Network at Jersey Shore University Medical Center.  Call for info: 732.776-4281   Free Support Group For All New Mothers.  

Jersey Shore Dar a Luz Network.  Meets 3rd Weds. 6:30pm  in Manasquan.  Free Support Group for All Mothers/Pregnant Women.  www.jerseyshoredaraluz.blogspot.com

Accepting the Unexpected.  Meets 1st Saturday 9:30-11:30am in Manasquan.  Free Supportive Space to Share Birth Stories.  Contact Rebecca at 973-876-4283 prior to attending.  Natural Beginnings NJ. 

ICAN of Monmouth County.  Cesarean Awareness Network.  Meets monthly in Manalapan.  ICAN NJ

Mother to Mother Support Group.  Meets Mondays 11-12:30pm in Long Branch.  Free. To register, call 732. 923-6990.  Monmouth Medical 

Breastfeeding Support Groups in Monmouth County:

Bosom Buddies.  Free Group meeting Wednesdays 11-12:30 in Colts Neck.  Bosom Buddies

La Leche League.  Free Group meeting in Wall and Freehold.  La Leche League NJ

Milk Mama Cafe.  Free Group meeting in Spring Lake.  Thursdays 9:30-11am.  Natural Beginnings NJ.

If you know of a mother support group in Monmouth County that I missed, please comment and share!  There are many fitness and mommy & me classes available, too.  

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, many mamas face the additional stress of losing their stash of frozen breast milk.  If you have lost power, please don't dump your milk....At least not yet. 

Unfortunately, there is a lack of research on safety of previously frozen breast milk.  But, here's what HAS been studied so far:

*Breast milk that is still slushy or has crystals is still considered frozen.  Simply re-freeze it as soon as possible.

*Breast milk that has been thawed and un-refrigerated for up to 8 hours can be refrozen.
 
If your frozen milk thawed, but is still cold, consider refreezing.  A study in Breastfeeding Medicine (Rechtman, Lee & Berg 2006) measured bacteria levels, Vitamins A & C, as well as Fatty Acids in thawed breast milk in various conditions.  The study included milk that was thawed and refrozen repeatedly....And guess what?  That milk was still safe to use!
http://www.dors.it/latte/docum/Unpasteurized%20Donor%20Human%20Milk.pdf 

In determining the fate of thawed milk, use common sense.  Smell it.  Breast milk will separate (it's unpasteurized!) that's not an indication of whether the milk is still good to use.

To all the parents who are dealing with power outages and property damage in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, your family will be in my thoughts.