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"It's comforting to be with all of these women who are going through the exact same thing as me." Nelson, a lactation consultant with Swedish Medical Center, which also offers weigh-in/support groups. "Then after day three to five, when the milk supply comes in, baby should have at least six wet diapers and four dirty diapers a day. That's a clear sign they are getting enough," Nelson says. Moms should always feed on babies' cues, but at least once every three hours, Nelson says, a fact Grace had reinforced when she sought out the Rose group. "My friends said: Oh, you're so lucky if she's sleeping five hours at a stretch during the day without eating. But no, I wasn't," she says. Latching issues are also common and need resolved early for warding off supply issues, Nelson says. "What we say here is nipple plus an inch; that means an inch all the way around," Nelson says, explaining how baby's mouth should be positioned on the breast. Consultants also help new moms with proper holding positions and talk about diet, making sure they are bumping calories by about 500 a day and drinking water. "Some foods are associated with increased milk supply, such as oatmeal, avocado and nuts," Anderson says. "Then we add pumping to try to push that supply up if needed." Women also learn that breastfeeding struggles are not abnormal. "Oh, it's challenging," Decelles says. "The hardest part is that it all falls on you," she says, adding that there's not much dads can do. "It's comforting to be with all of these women who are going through the exact same thing as me." Decelles was celebrating at the end of the group, learning that little Jackson gained 3 ounces while nursing. "I am so much happier," she says. Although Winter didn't do quite as well, Grace was being reminded that supplying her with at least some breast milk was better than none and also cause for celebration. "You're doing everything right," a lactation consultant told her. Finding out they cannot breastfeed exclusively or at all can be highly emotional for moms, who benefit from seeking out support groups, says Anderson, who encourages women to keep things in focus. "Of course it's important to breastfeed if you can," she says, "but we have to remember it's important to enjoy our baby. It goes by so quickly. New mom Jasmine Decelles takes a cuddle break during a recent breastfeeding support group session. ? Did You Know Colorado ranks No. 1 in the nation for women who exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, lactation support and supplies, such as breast pumps, are now fully-covered benefits with most health plans. Women should check with their insurance companies for specifics. HealthONE hospitals offer a variety of breast-feeding support services to their patients, including classes on topics ranging from breastfeeding multiples to how to continue nursing when returning to work. Women should check with their hospitals for support opportunities. The La Leche League at www.llli.org can direct parents to resources. For more information: Rose Medical Center: 303-320-2072 Swedish Medical Center: Lactation consultant Carol Anderson shares a laugh with a new mother at a Rose Medical Center support/weigh-in group for breastfeeding moms. 303-788-6500 Health & Wellness Magazine • 33