Virginia Hospital Center Breastfeeding Support Group

Fantastic group! Led by a very knowledgeable RN/​lactation consultant. If it hadn’t been for this group, my son’s lip– and tongue-​ties would not have been identified /​treated (our pediatrician said the tongue tie was untreatable and didn’t identify the lip tie, both of which were preventing my son from latching /​eating /​gaining weight.) Between Susan and the other moms in the group, we found the resources (not to mention incredible support) we needed to establish a long-​term breastfeeding relationship.
This group is great for all nursing moms (whether 100% breastfeeding or supplementing with formula.) The atmosphere is very supportive, whatever your breastfeeding /​mothering goals may be, and the group’s knowledge base is amazing.

I found this group so helpful. If you attend once you can get on the lactation consultant’s list serve and post questions to other moms. I thought I knew everything about breastfeeding but I really had no clue until I started attending this group and reading the list serve emails.

From a Husband’s perspective:
If your wife needs a place to talk about how awesome her baby (or babies) is/​are or talk about maternity fashion trends then this is the place to go. If your wife + baby need some help with latching and breastfeeding advice this is not the place to go.
Verbatim from group leader: «Find a lactation consultant and buy a medical grade pump».
Their name needs to be changed to «New and Expectant Mothers Social Club» or something that doesn’t imply that useful Breastfeeding advice would be available.

Saved my sanity when I was breastfeeding my infant! Not only did I learn from the LC who leads the group (Susan), but I also learned so much from the other moms there. I made friendships that have lasted with a group of moms that have similar-​aged babies, and we meet up for continued parenting support (aka relaxing and complaining!).
This group is wonderful and I recommend it to all moms who are interested in breastfeeding, no matter how much or for how long!

This group is essential for the new mom and great for breastfeeding moms generally. The group is friendly, and Susan is wonderful. Everyone has some challenge or another with breastfeeding, which makes you feel so much less alone in the early and difficult weeks of breastfeeding. Plus, it’s a nice way to practice leaving the house with a newborn — you can openly nurse there (with or without a cover), change your baby’s diaper on a changing pad right on the floor, and no one bats an eye if you show up 30 minutes late. Some moms go to lunch together after the group, which is great for beating the isolation and baby blues of new motherhood.
Even though the hospital’s page says registration is required, you can still attend if you have not registered. Also, you need not be afraid if you are bottle-​feeding (I was worried that the breastfeeding moms would shun me since I supplemented with formula). Everyone is very welcoming.
I deducted one star because the group is often so big that it’s hard to get all of your questions answered. But if you have really specific questions, you should consult a lactation consultant for a one-​on-​one appointment (and Susan can refer you to one).
An excellent part of the group is the free listserv, which has proved invaluable for my breastfeeding (and general baby) questions and challenges. I’ve had questions answered late at night and on the weekends, by the other moms on the list and by Susan herself.
Also, one of the previous reviewers complained about the VHC staff, but I have had the opposite experience. When I’ve been lost, the staff has been happy to walk me to my destination or to give me directions in any case. Love this place, love the L&D staff, and the group is excellent.
Highly recommended.

The actual breast health center might be great, but the idiots who work at VHC negate ANY benefit. From giving me the wrong address to a hospital with two distinct wings so that I had to spend 30 minutes INSIDE trying to find the office. Asking people who wore uniforms and badges but spoke unintelligible gibberish that may have been Klingon for all that was useful to me…
I won’t be coming here for any reason of my own choosing. If the staff who works in a place can’t be bothered to be helpful you must wonder what kind of care you’ll get once they’re troubled to actually see you.

Susan Howard’s breastfeeding group is a wonderful group that I am happy to have found. My only regret is that I didn’t know about the group sooner because I think it’s been very helpful in breastfeeding advice and the overall transition to motherhood. Susan has wonderful «by the book» advice along with «real life mom» advice that she is able to pull from her years of experience as a nurse, a lactation consultant and a most importantly a mother of three. I was quite surprised at how welcoming Susan’s group of down to earth women is and enjoy real mom’s discussing their experiences in motherhood. Having been breastfed myself along with family members encouraging it from their experience, I knew from day one that it was what I wanted and what was best for our family– I just never knew how difficult it could be. Susan’s group has answered several breastfeeding questions and concerns and has helped me be a better mother to my daughter.

I’ve found this suport group to be instrumental in building a good breastfeeding relationship with my newborn son. As a new mother, I’ve found that I often question everything I do – whether it’s how I feed him, how often I’ve fed him, whether he’s gaining enough, etc. (the list could go on and on). But, when a new mom is surrounded by a group of supportive other new moms, along with a knowledgeable, helpful, and energetic leader, she feels immediately better and confident moving forward.
I can’t thank Susan enough for forming this group — it has helped me immensely in the first few months of my son’s life. And, I’m looking forward to attending the newly formed Working Mom’s group to help me with that transition as well. Thanks again Susan for forming the group and all of your help throughout this very important foundational time for a mom and her newborn baby!

Attending Susan Howard’s breastfeeding support group was the best thing I could do for my baby and me in the first few months after I gave birth. She sets the tone for an incredibly welcoming, supportive group where women feel comfortable sharing their struggles (and successes!) and bonding with each other. I can’t say enough about how much I appreciated this FREE group. Susan knows a LOT about what issues we women have when we’re new to breastfeeding. The advice I received in this class was very, very helpful.
She also provides a baby scale so you can check to see how your little one is growing.