RP - Anyone ever go to a La Leche League meeting?

Shannon11/3

A pg friend and I were planning on calling to find out the location and the meeting topic and going.  The other girls at work were like, "Oh, just be prepared.  They're really scary.  They're psycho about breastfeeding, they'll yell at you if you aren't sure about it and tell you if you don't you'll be harming your baby, and there will be women whipping out the boob for 5 year olds in the meeting."  They gave me the impression they were very militant about BFing.

So, I just wondered if anyone had been to a meeting, and if so what it was like?  They gave me the impression LLL is like the gestapo of breast feeding...

aglenn

I had heard the same and was a little hesitant to go, but now I've been to two meetings and they were not at all scary.    The people were really helpful and it was just nice to be with other moms and hear that they're having similar issues, etc.  Of course, every group is a little different depending on who shows up, but in my area there are a bunch of different groups you can go to.  HTH!

MelodyMoonstone

I went to one on Tuesday.  I wasn't sure what to expect - there were toddlers running around and they were loud and one of the ladies sons (4ish years old...) was literally hanging over my shoulder as I tried to NIP for the first time...  Kind of awkward. Then he was touching my baby - fortunately, his mom told him not to, but I didn't know what to do at first.  

Anyhow, I'm not sure if I'l go back or not.  i mentioned supplementing (meaning I pump and supplement BM for my baby) and immediately, the leader asked if I knew how to wean off of the bottle.  I was sort of taken aback.   

MrsKaCy

I went to a meeting today and really liked it. They were not militant at all.  I had questions about pumping and they were really helpful and not against pumping at all. 

thehimwithher

it's obviously very group dependent as far as bfing nazi's go.

i went to one when dd was 10wks old.  i found it helpful and ment to go back but never did.  that being said, like all mommy advice, take it with a grain of salt.  i'm very pro bfing but i'm not a 'bfing nazi' and every mom has to find their balance. 

i say go, see if you meet some people you mesh with.  if not, nothing lost. 

 

cubits

I've been going and I find it very helpful.  I tried two different groups and then picked the one I liked better.  They have a general rule; take what you want and leave what you don't.  So take everything with a grain of salt.

I think they are a great resource and it is definitely worth going to a meeting while pregnant or at the start of your breastfeeding relationship.  It goes a long way knowing you're not the only one struggling or feeding your baby at 4 in the morning.  Its also great to get out with other moms. 

wnk1029

I went when I was pg and was glad I did... when my milk came in I had major engorgement and latch issues, and was so happy I was able to call up a leader to help me out.  In my group, we had a good range of casual BFers as well as some rather militant ones, so yes you do have to take everything with a grain of salt, but they all do mean well.

Shannon11/3

So here's a follow up question - my friend and I are both currently pg - so obviously not bfing yet.  She's 3rd tri, I'm 2nd, and we both hope to bf.  I'd heard the more informed you are ahead of time the more likely you are to be successful and stick with it...  Do you think it would be appropriate for us to go, or better to wait until after the babies are born?

julyjennifer

Shannon11/3:

So here's a follow up question - my friend and I are both currently pg - so obviously not bfing yet.  She's 3rd tri, I'm 2nd, and we both hope to bf.  I'd heard the more informed you are ahead of time the more likely you are to be successful and stick with it...  Do you think it would be appropriate for us to go, or better to wait until after the babies are born?

I'll answer both your original question and the follow-up.

Yes, it's a great idea to go now while you guys are pg!  I have been going to my local LLL chapter's meetings for over 2 years now, and I absolutely love it.  There are usually several pg moms at each meeting.  When I was pg, my childbirth ed class instructor gave us as "homework" to go to a LLL meeting while we were pg, and I was so glad I did. That way, once my daughter was born, I didn't have to try to find a new location with a fussing newborn in tow, and I already felt comfortable at the meeting and knew what to expect.

I totally agree with the notion that the more info you have, the more likely you are to stick with it.  Even more so, the more you know where your help resources are for when you encounter any questions or difficulties as you are getting things going, the better chances you have for getting things sorted out and having a better outcome with bfing.  LLL is such a great resource.  You can call your local leader(s) at any point to ask them questions, and if you've already met them, you'll be more likely to do this and get the help you need.

As far as the whole "what are moms who go to LLL meetings like" question, the reputation of LLL as you described has always surprised me, given my experience with them.  Granted, I only attend one group, but I'm also a member and so receive the "New Beginnings" magazines, which are great.  Great articles, lots of stories about a variety of different moms' situations and stories.  if you ask me, it's all very inclusive, supportive, and backed by quality information.  At the meetings, the leaders always stress that "every baby and every mom are different, take what works for you and leave the rest."  I have learned so much at the meetings, and I've developed a lot of friendships with other like-minded moms.

cubits

Shannon11/3:

So here's a follow up question - my friend and I are both currently pg - so obviously not bfing yet.  She's 3rd tri, I'm 2nd, and we both hope to bf.  I'd heard the more informed you are ahead of time the more likely you are to be successful and stick with it...  Do you think it would be appropriate for us to go, or better to wait until after the babies are born?

I wish I had gone pregnant! Instead I went with a two week old baby.  

But yes, there are pregnant women at most meetings I've been too. I'm taking my pregnant friend with me next week.

SapphyrEyes

I've been to a couple.  Yes, you will see nursing toddlers.  No, they are not militant about it.  It's all about support and trying to help moms that want to f/t bf as well as those that do as much bf as they can even if it's only p/t.  They are incredibly supportive and really a wonderful support system.  It's worth it to go to a meeting and meet the moms.  You can really form some great relationships there.

SapphyrEyes

Shannon11/3:

So here's a follow up question - my friend and I are both currently pg - so obviously not bfing yet.  She's 3rd tri, I'm 2nd, and we both hope to bf.  I'd heard the more informed you are ahead of time the more likely you are to be successful and stick with it...  Do you think it would be appropriate for us to go, or better to wait until after the babies are born?

Absolutely go!  Pg mamas are always welcome and if you start hearing about some of the topics ahead of time and also discreetly watching some of the latch positions it makes it a little easier when your baby is here.  When I went I could only do one hold comfortably.  After a couple meetings I was able to go home and try out a couple different holds that I saw and they worked.  Plus, they can give good advice on side-lying nursing which is invaluable to get some sleep.  Go with an open mind/heart.  Yes, there are hard core bfers but there are others that are doing it for many other reasons and also looking for the companionship that comes with the group itself.