"The Milk" League

A couple of you in my class have asked about breastfeeding. While we cover the importance and touch on some of the practical aspects, it is not the main focus of our class time, while at La Leche Leauge - it is!!! 


They generally have a topic for discussion led by one of their trained leaders, but also have a significant amount of time for Q&A. You will hear answers both from the leader (La Leche's official view) as well as input from other moms about what is working for them. Topics from either the official discussion or from questions afterward may include: breast infections, nursing strikes, frequency/duration of feedings, oversupply, pumping/going back to work, night nursing, vaccines, first foods, local pediatricians, the wide range of "normal," and postpartum depression (ppd). They also have an array of library books available for checkout, including The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, written by La Leche League - I highly recommend this by the way!


So I want to encourage you to go check out a meeting while you are still pregnant! First of all, breastfeeding is wonderful and natural, but if you do have trouble and need a referral to a local lactation consultant, they have that info for you. Secondly, if you just need a question answered quickly over the phone, you can call one of the leaders directly at home and you will have already met her! Thirdly, it will make it that much easier to motivate yourself to get out of the house with your newborn and go to a meeting - because you will have already connected with the ladies there and will probably have started a list of questions that you'd like to discuss! Fourthly, it may expose you to other women breastfeeding for the first time. It is important to see first-hand that other moms are doing it - and to have fellowship in your/their joys and struggles. 


Think of it as "nesting" and preparing your support network for after the baby is born! You can also consider it a "continuation" from learning about natural childbirth to learning to naturally care for and feed your child breastmilk! You are all doing such a great job preparing for the birth of your baby... don't neglect to prepare for when the baby actually arrives in this important way!


Go to llli.org and find a meeting that is close to you and works for your schedule. Most groups only meet once a month, so find out when it is so you can plan ahead. 


Here's the info for one local group's upcoming meeting:

Title:		Arcadia/Monrovia La Leche League Series Meeting
Date:		Friday November 11, 2011
Time:		10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Repeats:		This event repeats every month on the second Friday.
Location:		Monrovia United Methodist Church *
Street:		140 E. Palm Ave.
City State Zip:		Monrovia, CA 91016
Phone:		Ivy (626)840-6515, Patty (626)403-0630

* I've actually been to this group, so I'll mention that the room is located off of the alley on west side of the building. If you park in front of the church on the street, look for the alley to the right. If you park in the parking lot behind the church, look for the alley to the left.