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Breastfeeding
BF'ing support groups
Can someone give me an idea of what meetings are typically like? Do people ask questions and discuss issues? Are older children (i.e. my 2 year old) generally welcome to attend as well if they're not disruptive? If you attend a support group do you feel it's beneficial?
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Re: BF'ing support groups
It depends on the group. I have been to LLL and a Mom & Baby group.
At LLL, a group leader gives a talk on a certain BFing topic and then people chat. Older children are welcome. I've been to one, and TBH I was frustrated with it because they couldn't help me with some issues I was having. But the reason I haven't been back is simply that the times are inconvenient for me - 7pm on Tuesday nights is not when I feel like going anywhere with my baby!
At our Mom & Baby group, it's for moms of babies up to 1 year. No older siblings allowed. It's not specifically geared toward BFing but it is led by a LC so it leans a little toward that topic. Usually it's just free form Q&A and chatting, but occasionally they have a guest speaker on various topics. I like that one a lot better because it's more informal and there are more times available (two days and a night each week).
I have been to two different ones. Both were at hospitals. One was very informal - as a group chatting, discussing issues, etc. The other was more formal - weigh your baby, feed your baby, weigh your baby again. Informal conversations were going on between people individually, not as a group. This group was facilitated by the LC's at the hospital and they went around and helped each person, answered any questions, etc. I found this one to be much more to my liking, as I went for help, not just to visit. My DD was welcomed at both, provided she was not disruptive. I brought her lunch and books and she was all set.
I have *definitely* found it to be beneficial (the 2nd group) and it's a big reason why, at 3 mos. I still BF my son and have not given up. We had a lot of issues the first couple months and it's just been the past few weeks it's gotten easier. :-)
I think it depends on the group.
The one I go to is at a hospital and led by an LC. They have a scale so you can weigh baby, and we go around and introduce ourselves and then see if anyone has any issues/ questions. The LC consultant with also work with individuals to check on latch issues or talk more individually while the rest of the group talks amonst ourselves. Sometimes it's the whole group talking, sometimes it's small groups - goes back and forth during the 1.5 hours. In the 4 months I've been going I've never seen an older child, but if they were well behaved and NOT disruptive I don't think they'd be banned (my guess).
I'm going to a LLL meeting tomorrow for the first time...so can't speak to that yet but I'm pretty sure kids are welcome as long as under control.
But in general what friends have told me is that the different groups change over time as the members are different. The overall structure might be the same but the feel of the group can be really different 6 months from now.
LLL meetings are very baby and child friendly... I wouldn't even use the disclaimer "as long as they are in control" ... at LLL meetings- being an attentive parent is #1- LLL meetings are the most child friendly game out there... you kid is allowed to have needs, they are allowed to be kids, they can cry or be bratty and not want to share a toy etc.... they are not expected to be child-sized silent automatons....they can need their diapers changed and you don't need to feel sheepish if your baby suddenly needs to nurse just before it's your turn to introduce yourself!! but what IS important- is that you are willing to tend to your child- that you pay attention to them and what's going on.... it's better for you to excuse yourself in order to help your kid through a tough spot- or take a moment to latch a rooting baby- than to let the adult "business at hand" take precidence. ... Your child isn't expected to be perfect- but you are expected to be an attentive (even if imperfect... tired... frazzled... worried... ) mother.
Our group always had a snack time after the meeting where moms shared healthy finger food snacks for the kids and nursing moms. You may want to ask the leader if they do that in this group (all groups have a different style)
The meeting has a theme and typically there is some sort of round robin situation (like each person get a index card with a question on it- not a quiz- but an open question) that gives each mother an opportunity to share her ideas or experience... if she doesn't have a comment- she can turn the question out to the group and others can fill in their stories. If a mother says something that is totally off the wall, like dangerous or not medically proven or contrary to LLL standard protocol advice- the leader may gently step in and state politely what she needs to be sure that the group understands is the most current advice... but for the most part (in my experience) the leader does not really lecture or teach- she just facilitates a group discussion and keeps it on track.
If a mom has a specific concern she is always encouraged to bring that up even if it is not in the topic of the specific series meeting... if the meeting is about nutrition and weaning and you have a week old infant and you have a question about jaundice... of course they don't expect you to wait till the newborn meeting to ask your question!