Noah Johnson | Daily Press Moms and their babies gather for the monthly Delta County Baby Café. The free informal group meets once a month to discuss, share tips and get resources. Organizer Kashmir LaMarch said the group is always looking to add new moms.

ESCANABA — A local group provides free support and a sense of community for new moms.

Delta County Baby Café is a volunteer-led group that meets monthly to share ideas, knowledge, and make connections.

The group was started in March 2024, spearheaded by Kashmir LaMarch, a registered nurse, lactation specialist volunteer at Pregnancy Services of Delta County, and head of Delta County Breastfeeding Coalition.

LaMarch said the group started as a resource for moms who are breastfeeding.

“We initially wanted to make it for moms that are breastfeeding so that they can come and get help with latching or feeding issues, anything that any type of feeding issues that a mom would have while breastfeeding,” LaMarch said.

After getting established, LaMarch, co-organizers, and registered nurses Lyndsey Rogers and Chris Davis decided to make the café a place for all moms.

“Whether they’re pregnant, breastfeeding, pumping, bottle feeding, anything. And moms with young kids even, just a place for ­community support to be with other women who are going through the same thing, same struggles, whether it be sleep issues, feeding issues, just to come together and be with other people that are going through the same thing as you,” LaMarch explained.

She said she saw the café in other communities, and realized the local area could use a resource like that.

“We need something that really emphasizes breastfeeding because so many moms are unaware of the challenges, because it doesn’t just come easily to most moms, and then they feel stuck and they give up. And they don’t want to do that. So this gives them the opportunity to come, ask questions, and then also find resources,” LaMarch explained.

She said the group is informal, as moms will gather in a circle with their babies and let them socialize and play.

LaMarch will ask the group if they have any questions, which leads to interesting and informative conversations.

Anywhere from seven to 16 moms and their children attend the meetings, and LaMarch would love to continue to grow and add more moms.

“We want to start also adding in, perhaps, some classes that are a little more formal at pregnancy services. Maybe like Q&As for breastfeeding, maybe some classes (for) getting ready for labor and delivery. Just things like that to prepare and educate people for free,” she said.

The group is not only a great resource, but it’s a place where friendships can start.

“I’ve seen a lot of moms make friends through here and have their babies get together. And I just like to create a safe space for moms to talk about these things because online is not always helpful. It’s nice to see people face-to-face and meet new people that way,” LaMarch said.

She said moms should consider the Baby Café because it offers knowledgeable resources from professionals.

“The three (LaMarch, Rogers, and Davis) of us that are typically here are nurses, have children, are lactation specialists, so we’re all very experienced in those things, and we’ve researched in the community all the places that moms can reach out and get resources. So, we’re able to direct them in those places if we can’t provide it ourselves,” LaMarch said.

LaMarch extended her gratitude to Delta County Pregnancy Services for allowing the group to utilize their space each month.

The group typically meets in the lobby of Pregnancy Services of Delta County, but the building is currently undergoing renovations, so the most recent meeting took place in the former I Heart Mac & Cheese sapce in the Delta Plaza Mall.

LaMarch also extended her gratitude to local business owner, Liza Plourde, who allowed the group to utilize the I Heart Mac & Cheese space for its most recent meeting.

For more information regarding the Baby Café, visit the group’s Facebook page at Delta County Baby Café.