What Mom's Say...

"Good place to meet other moms with similar problems"
"Somewhere to breastfeed with other moms to talk to"
"Can talk to people and still breastfeed baby without feeling embarrassed"
"Lovely relaxed atmosphere. Friendly volunteers who were very considerate to children and babies"
"Friendly, non-intimidating advice"
"Reassurance...Very, very reassuring and helpful"
"Very friendly, useful advice from very informed people"
"Thank you so much for your  help when I was struggling to feed my third child. The Baby Café is a quite extraordinary oasis of calm, patience and superb advice - not to mention refreshments, and help with positioning. I really didn't think I was going to be able to breastfeed successfully this time and it is now going fine."

Parents' Charter

When visiting a Baby Café you can expect...

Picture
  •  A relaxed, informal, safe, child-friendly, non-medical environment where your breastfeeding or chestfeeding relationship, at whatever stage, is valued, respected and protected. 
  • To meet other breastfeeding or chestfeeding parents. 
  • To receive up-to-date information about breastfeeding or chestfeeding from staff knowledgeable and skilled in helping women breastfeed. 
  • To be helped in a way that equips you to continue your breastfeeding or chestfeeding journey when you leave the Baby Café. 
  • That qualified staff may directly assist you with positioning and latch or may work with a ‘hands off’ approach as needed. Feel free to specify if you prefer a “hands-off” approach. 
  • That all information, suggestions, books, leaflets, posters, videos, and demonstration aids, will be balanced and informative and help you make informed decisions. 
  • That Baby Café staff will protect breastfeeding/chestfeeding and the relationship with your child(ren). 
  • To be supported in the decisions you make. 
  • That staff will maintain records and communicate, with your permission, in a confidential manner with other local health professionals and Baby Café USA if appropriate. 
  • To be responsible for your children at all times. 
  • That your feedback about the program will be welcomed and taken seriously. 
  • To see a License Certificate displayed, showing that the Baby Café is registered with the BCUSA non-profit organization. 

  •  A relaxed, informal, safe, child-friendly, non-medical environment where your breastfeeding or chestfeeding relationship, at whatever stage, is valued, respected and protected. ​

FAQs for Parents

Who can attend a Baby Café? 
​ Anyone who is: 
  • Breastfeeding or chestfeeding 
  • Pregnant and interested in breastfeeding 
  • Working and pumping 
  • Exclusively pumping and bottle-feeding 
  • Wanting to wean 
  • Students needing lactation counseling education 
  • Male partners are welcome at some Baby Cafés, or at specific meetings
​ Do I need to sign up? 
​ No, all Baby Cafés are drop-in, and open to the public. No appointment is necessary.
​ Is there a membership fee? 
​ No. Baby Cafés are all free to the public and do not market or sell anything.
​ Do I bring my baby? 
​ Yes! And you are welcome to breastfeed while you are there.
​ What does a Baby Café provide? 
  • Assessments and evidence-based group support from professionally-trained staff 
  • Digital scales for assessing weights and milk transfer 
  • Suggestions for solutions to lactation issues 
  • Opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and make friends 
  • Refreshments, comfortable seating, and open-forum discussions 
  • Some offer play areas for accompanying toddlers 
​ Where are Baby Cafés? 
In welcoming community-based donated spaces such as Hospital, Churches, Libraries, Milk Banks, YMCAs, Parent/child meeting areas, WIC Offices, Pediatrician/OB offices, and Chiropractor offices.
Do Baby Cafes promote or dictate certain beliefs? ​
No. Baby Cafés never promote a certain religious, political, or parenting belief. They are structured as an open-forum discussion, guided by evidence-based practice. Their purpose is to help parents reach their own breastfeeding and/or chestfeeding goals.
Who pays for the Baby Café? ​
They are funded by local sponsoring organizations such as Hospitals or WIC programs, and often use grant money for community health initiatives.
Are Baby Cafés associated with any other organization? ​
Individual Cafés may be sponsored by non-profit organizations. Baby Café USA is a free-standing organization and receives no funding or backing from any other organization, business, or political party.

​Learn what parents say about Baby Café