La Leche League

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/28/2011

April, bf while preggo might not be a walk in the park but it's so worth it! Just like learning to bf in the first place, there's hard times but so much pride in keeping going! I'll be sure to post soon as Fierna is born about how tandem bfing is going! I'm so excited to give it a try, a whole new adventure I'm sure. She will be born before my next lll meeting so all the ladies are excited for me to bring her then!

April - posted on 04/28/2011

I'm with you Sara...I have had multiple blocked ducts, milk blebs, several nursing strikes, cracked/bleeding nipples. a biting baby, horrible engorgements...you name it and I had it (except for masitisis and thrush!). The difference is I am not pregnant yet...i am scared to find out what nursing while pregnant is going to be like! I'm determined to make it work if that's what my son wants. I really hope it isn't going to be bad...I've had so many breastfeeding challenges, it would be nice not to have to add to my list, lol! I haven't yet made it to an LLL meeting but I am excited to attend my first meeting in May. Even if they turn out to be a bunch of un-helpful ladies, I hope I could still be an inspiration to other women in the group. I have faced so many challenges and still persevered, on top of it all, I have CP (cerebral palsy). I am deaf too but that's irrelevant. The CP makes it hard for me to find comfortable nursing positions, takes me longer to get used to new positions. It has been frustrating at times to have to work a little bit harder, but it's been worth it. I'd love to share what I've learned and hope the women will be receptive!

*Fluffy Bunnies - posted on 04/24/2011

I'm sure that everyone's experience is different because every leader will be different. I'm sure there are more militant groups, but that is not how LLL is supposed to be. If you had a bad experience then that is very unfortunate and I know that is not how LLL wants you to feel.



I joined when I got pregnant with my second. I really needed some help and support on nursing through this pregnancy. I've met some very wonderful and non-judgemental women. Our leaders are fantastic. Currently our group has a mom who's nursing a 2 1/2 and almost 5 year old. We have other tandem nursing moms, I'm the only one nursing through pregnancy right now, some moms nursing toddlers and lots of moms nursing babies and some who've weaned. When a new mom comes our leader always takes a moment to talk about the age of the nurslings. She always says that our group will support you in whatever your breastfeeding goals are. Some moms in our group co-sleep, some don't, some supplement through necessity or choice, some baby wear, some use strollers, etc, etc. There's a wide variety of moms and parenting styles and they're all supported there. I have enjoyed my experience so far and have definitely received the help and support I've needed to get through my struggles (nursing through a pregnancy has been the biggest BF challenge for me so far and I've had to wean off the shield, had 20+ clogged ducts and mastitis). I currently have to drive almost an hour away for this group. I do want to become a leader eventually and start a group closer to my area. I'm glad I'm learning from such a positive group.

Amy - posted on 04/24/2011

I've never dealt with LLL. I wish I would have way back with my first. I wish I could have nursed her and is one of hte largest regrets I have. But from some of the things I've heard, I may have ended up feeling even worse and like more of a failure. So...eh. I guess I don't really have an opinion on LLL.

Toni - posted on 04/23/2011

Although I knew about LLL while I was attempting to bf Ethan tbh I didn't consider contacting them as I felt I was getting everything I needed from the bf nurse, my midwife and my health visitor. Even if I had of wanted to contact them looking at their webpage it seems as though my closest LLL meeting is over an hour away which I wouldn't want to go to, especially not with a baby.

Most of what I have heard about the LLL hasn't been very favourable, there are very few people singing their praises but like Dana I realise that most people tend not to share positive stories - negative stories stick in our memories so much more than the postives.

Johnny - posted on 04/22/2011

I posted this in DM too...

My personal experience with LLL was terrible. None of them had experience nursing after breast surgery. They felt totally comfortable insulting me for having had the surgeries in the first place. Because clearly my ability to function was less important than my ability to nurse a potential child years down the line. And they couldn't help me worth shit. The fact that I was supplementing with formula was clearly the entire problem according to their uneducated worldview on the matter. My taking medication to increase my supply, nursing on demand and as frequently as possible and pumping at other times, while still getting limited supply did not seem to register with them. I would never recommend anyone approach them for help, because sanctimony is of little practical use. I ended up weaning my daughter off formula by 5 months and nursing her until she was 2. With the help of BFAR (Breastfeeding After Reduction), Dr. Jack Newman, my parents, my neighbor, my doctor (who was willing to prescribe what I needed as long as I wanted it), and my own drive & determination.

Sherri - posted on 04/22/2011

I feel they push bf'ing so much that when it doesn't work for you that they make you feel like a failure. They never even entertain the idea that there is any other alternative but bf'ing and won't allow you to switch to formula when you are at wits end without making you feel that you are jeopardizing your child and making you feel like you failed as a mother. Hence, why I will never deal with them every again and just do now what works best for me and my family without anyone's help or advice. I paid the price for asking for their help and won't make the same mistake twice.

Chatty - posted on 04/22/2011

I've never personally had any interactions with them but I have to admit that everything I've ever heard about them hasn't been good. I take everything with a grain of salt because people tend not to mention the good experiences. Our society is only focused on spreading the negative message.

You take the good with the bad!

Laura Zoey - posted on 04/22/2011

I have been going over a year now, I really enjoy going, obviously, but I feel like the leader is too laid back. She doesn't ever seem to give her opinion about anything except breastfeeding stuff. I feel she leans too far on the 'whatever works for you' side of advise. She is totally supportive of most parenting styles, even stuff like CIO, early solids, weaning at a year, etc. So I personally don't think any mom could feel judged for anything! But I do wish she would be a bit more opinionated on some stuff, but that's just my preference. I doubt any mom could leave one of my meetings feeling judged or harassed in any way, my leader is just so sweet and gentle and calm in her advise.
Sort of the opposite of what Jen experienced, but hey leader to leader is always going to be different.

Jen - posted on 04/22/2011

I think they have worthy goals and genuinely want to help people but they demonize formula. They also only seem to respect opinions that coincide with theirs to the exclusion of any other parenting philosophy. For example, I was not an attachment parent and other things which they tout as the ONLY way to properly rear a child, etc.