FAIRMONT — Baby Cafes, established in 2006 as a national non-profit organization, provide vital breastfeeding and prenatal support across the country. Baby Cafe USA aims to enhance the health of both mothers and infants by promoting breastfeeding through professional care and support, ensuring every mother has access to lactation assistance.
At Baby Cafe, mothers find a strong support network of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and those caring for older babies and toddlers. Specially trained staff members offer guidance on various issues such as milk supply, pain management, weaning, nursing techniques, returning to work, and other concerns new mothers face.
This year, local prenatal Baby Cafes have launched, offering support to mothers navigating the journey of motherhood before and after birth. July’s prenatal sessions focus on essential baby products, helping mothers decide what to buy and what to skip.
Kylie Saari, a Public Health Nurse with Martin and Faribault counties Health and Human Services, highlighted the impact of Baby Cafes on local women.
“Baby Cafe staff, including those from public health and Mayo Clinic, provide education before birth, technical support in the early weeks, and ongoing assistance afterward. Many moms form lasting friendships while navigating early motherhood together,” Saari explained.
Initiated in 2018 through collaboration between Martin and Faribault County Human Services and Mayo Clinic, local Baby Cafes have been instrumental in providing consistent support and guidance.
“Early motherhood is challenging. Having support can mean the difference between achieving your breastfeeding goals or not,” Saari emphasized. “Private lactation support can be costly and isn’t always covered by insurance.”
Saari noted overwhelmingly positive feedback from both mothers and expectant women, attributing increased confidence and successful breastfeeding goals to support from trained staff and peers.
The Fairmont Baby Cafe meets every Wednesday from 9 am to 11 am at Fairmont Elementary School’s Early Childhood and Family Education (ECFE) room. Prenatal Baby Cafe sessions for expectant mothers are held on the second Monday of each month from 6 pm to 7:30 pm.
