What Happens at LLL Meetings?

An excerpt from LLLI's "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding," seventh revised edition, pages 34-36

"Doesn't breastfeeding just come naturally? My great-grandmother never went to a La Leche League meeting, and she nursed all her babies."

"Why should breastfeeding women need a worldwide organization for support?"

Many who are unfamiliar with La Leche League ask these questions. More and more mothers today are choosing to breastfeed their babies, but they may not understand just how much a support group like La Leche League can help them enjoy the experience.

When La Leche League began nearly fifty years ago, breastfeeding had become a lost art. Mothers had begun seeking advice from medical professionals about caring for their babies instead of learning from the wisdom of other mothers.

Today, La Leche League gatherings are held monthly in all parts of the world. The information is divided into topics for a four-meeting series. As no two series meetings are exactly alike, many mothers continue to attend for many months beyond the first series and even for many years.

LLL meetings are sometimes held in the home of a La Leche League member or in a convenient public meeting place. Mothers are encouraged to bring along their nursing babies. The meetings are conducted by an experienced breastfeeding mother who has been qualified to represent La Leche League. She presents a specific outline of information at each meeting, but these meetings are not classes; they are open, informative discussions. At the LLL Group meetings in your area, you will learn about much more than the basics of breastfeeding.

The first meeting of the series is usually about the advantages of breastfeeding. You will discover benefits of breastfeeding that may never have occurred to you -- results of research on the value of human milk and mothers' own stories of breastfeeding advantages. Many mothers have remarked after this meeting, "I knew that breastfeeding was good for my baby and good for me, but I didn't know how good it was. This information makes me more confident than ever in my decision to nurse, and it makes me feel proud to know that I am doing something so wonderful for my baby."

At the next meeting, the discussion usually centers on the family and the breastfed baby. Mothers share tips on how to get off to a good start in the hospital and at home with the new baby. Knowing what to expect in the way of procedures and routines at local area hospitals or birthing centers can be helpful to a pregnant mother. Easing the emotional adjustment of all family members, lightening the work load, establishing a good milk supply, and preventing problems from ever beginning are all topics of discussion.

Another meeting covers basic breastfeeding techniques and problem-solving. You can receive specific advice from the best breastfeeding experts in the world: experienced nursing mothers. The overall message is that no matter what problem may arise, there is almost always a solution that does not require weaning the baby.

At another meeting, the proper diet for lactating and pregnant women is discussed, as well as starting the baby on solid foods and when and how to wean the baby. Often discipline of toddlers is also explored at this meeting.

Almost all La Leche League Groups have an extensive lending library available to their members. Current titles on breastfeeding, childbirth, parenting, and nutrition that may not be widely available can be found at LLL meetings. Most Groups also have books, booklets, and breastfeeding-related products that LLL members can purchase.

All women who have an interest in breastfeeding are invited to attend La Leche League meetings. All mothers are accepted with open arms at La Leche League meetings: mothers of all races and religions, single mothers, working mothers, and mothers whose philosophy on various aspects of infant care and childrearing may differ from La Leche League's. Each mother is encouraged to take from La Leche League's philosophy what seems sensible and helpful to her. The ideal time to begin attending is during pregnancy, because the information received in advance may prove to be vital to a mother when her baby arrives.

Filled with time-tested parenting information, along with personal stories from mothers, and fully backed by health care professionals, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is the definitive guide to breastfeeding for new mothers who want to understand and satisfy their babies' needs. Newly revised and updated, this classic book contains the latest scientific research on the health benefits of breastfeeding and offers support, encouragement, and guidance to new parents.

The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding is modestly priced and available for purchase at most Group meetings, as well as through the La Leche League International Online Catalog. It's also a perfect gift for new mothers!