La Leche League International (LLLI) is an international non-profit organization founded in 1956 to give support and information to women who choose to breastfeed their babies.

History

The founders of LLLI were seven mothers who had successfully breastfed their own children and were motivated to help mothers who, for a variety of different reasons (most of them related to social expectations, not physical inability) had had difficulties with and questions about breastfeeding.

Although the name comes from the two-syllable Spanish leche meaning milk, the name is sometimes pronounced as if it was one-syllable French.

Services

Today, La Leche League has grown to help women in over 40 countries. They have a bimonthly newsletter for mothers and hold international conferences every two years. In addition, there are local area conferences held in many parts of the world every year. La Leche League also publishes and sells books and other materials for mothers and professionals who support breastfeeding. There is a research center [1], as well, that collects data on scientific studies of breastfeeding.

However, the primary purpose of La Leche League is still to support mothers directly. This is accomplished largely via two means: monthly meetings and telephone help. Across the world, La Leche League leaders (women who have nursed their babies and been specially trained to help mothers with breastfeeding questions) hold meetings in the morning, afternoon, or evening once a month. In some places there are specialized meetings, such as intended for working mothers, teen mothers, or mothers of twins. While the leader represents La Leche League at these meetings, mothers are encouraged to share their own experiences to help other mothers, as well. Leaders are also available to answer mothers' questions via telephone. In some places, there is a centralized phone number (for an entire country or a US state, for instance) where mothers can either get help or can get a referral to a Leader in her area. In other areas, these leaders directly advertise their telephone numbers via web sites, telephone books and advertising.

External links

• La Leche League International