Three-month-old Ronan and mom Clare rededicated themselves to breastfeeding success after they started attending the Madison Hospital Breastfeeding Support Group. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – A new program at Madison Hospital is helping mother and child bond during a special time in the baby’s life.

The Madison Hospital Breastfeeding Support Group meets at the Madison Wellness Center’s classroom. The center’s address is 8391 U.S. Hwy 72 W. near the intersection with Balch Road.

The daytime group meets on Mondays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. “We are excited to have added an evening group as well on Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the same classroom” to better accommodate working mothers, Kristine Taff said.

Taff works as a registered nurse and lactation consultant at Madison Hospital. She is certified as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), specializing in the clinical management of breastfeeding.

“The group is administered by Board Certified Lactation Consultants — Stacy Ramirez, Anne Sheaves and myself,” Taff said. “The group is designed to assist with challenges, celebrate successes and provide encouragement for mothers to meet their breastfeeding goals.”

“Our support group is open to all breastfeeding mothers who want to attend,” Taff said. The hospital offers this service free to new mothers. No requirement exists about the baby being delivered at Madison Hospital. Registration is not required.

The lactation consultants’ goal is to support these mothers through this very important time in their life with a new baby.

Mothers themselves answer questions during discussion, with guidance as needed from the lactation consultants. “The meeting also provides fellowship for mothers who have similar goals,” Taff said.

Babies do attend the meetings and are welcome. The nurses provide scales for weighing infants and a lending library of books relevant to breastfeeding.

A typical meeting of the Madison Hospital Breastfeeding Support Group has about 10 to 16 mothers in attendance.

For more information, call 256-508-9009 or 256-457-0403 or visit madisonalhospital.org.