What is La Leche League?

 

La Leche League is an international charity, founded to give information and encouragement, mainly through personal help to all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies. The organisation’s breastfeeding counsellors (known as Leaders) are accredited by La Leche League International, the world’s authority on breastfeeding. Leaders are mothers who have breastfed their own babies and enjoy helping other mothers to do so. We provide information and support by phone, email and lead support meetings for mothers.

 

Support meetings

 

During LLL meetings, the Leader shares her knowledge of breastfeeding and encourages mothers to talk about their experiences. Her material is validated by experts in medical, psychological, nutritional and child development fields. The atmosphere at meetings is informal, welcoming, friendly and supportive and encourages mothering through breastfeeding. The meetings provide time for mother-to-mother sharing in a friendly and accepting atmosphere fuelled by tea and biscuits. The informal meetings are attended by expectant, new and experienced mothers and their babies and small children. The group rotates through a series of breastfeeding topics, however every meeting is different and the questions and concerns of the attendees are always given top priority.

 

So whether you are pregnant, struggling to breastfeed, enjoying breastfeeding, wanting to wean or a mother interested in supporting other mothers to breastfeed why not join other breastfeeding mothers, their babies and children and be supported in your decision to breastfeed? We have a great library of books and leaflets on breastfeeding and parenting available for loan.

 

In 2005 we meet monthly in The Lower Hall at Christchurch on The Grove, Ilkley (see map) on the first Friday of each month 10am to 12 noon.

5 August 2 September 7 October 4 November 2 December Meetings and refreshments are free although donations are welcome.   Telephone and email help   Local Leaders: Barbara          (Ilkley)            01943 430622 barbara@olicana.org Ruth    (Otley)             01943 461051 ruth@auchterlounie.com   The National helpline 0845 120 2918 connects you directly to your nearest Leader

 

Resources for additional information

Common Breastfeeding Myths. Leaflet offers medical references for 24 breastfeeding myths concerning how often a mother needs to breastfeed, waking a sleeping baby and nipple confusion.

 

THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING. The definitive guide to breastfeeding from La Leche League now in its seventh edition.

 

Both publications (and many others) are available from LLL Books books@laleche.org.uk

Post: PO Box 29, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7NP

Phone: 0845 456 1866 or 0115 981 5599 Fax: 0845 456 1877 or 0115 981 5597

They are also available on loan at LLL group meetings, where there are other interesting books on breastfeeding and parenting available as well.