About La Leche League
La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization and our mission is to provide education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
La Leche League began with a wish - a dream really - that all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies would be able to do so. The seven LLL founders had overcome a variety of difficulties before they were able to breastfeed with ease and confidence, and they knew of too many mothers who were unable to breastfeed at all simply because they had no one to turn to for information. All women who have an interest in breastfeeding are invited to attend LLL meetings. Mothers of all ages, races and religions, single mothers, working mothers and mothers whose philosophy on various aspects of infant care and childrearing may differ from LLL's are welcome. Each mother is encouraged to take from the League's philosophy what seems sensible and helpful to her.
La Leche League began with a wish - a dream really - that all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies would be able to do so. The seven LLL founders had overcome a variety of difficulties before they were able to breastfeed with ease and confidence, and they knew of too many mothers who were unable to breastfeed at all simply because they had no one to turn to for information. All women who have an interest in breastfeeding are invited to attend LLL meetings. Mothers of all ages, races and religions, single mothers, working mothers and mothers whose philosophy on various aspects of infant care and childrearing may differ from LLL's are welcome. Each mother is encouraged to take from the League's philosophy what seems sensible and helpful to her.
The basic philosophy of La Leche League is summarized in the following statements:
- Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.
- Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying relationship and an adequate milk supply.
- In the early years the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.
- Breast milk is the superior infant food.
- For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until the baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth.
- Ideally the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby outgrows the need.
- Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
- Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship with his baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.
- Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible.
- From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings.
The ideals and principles of mothering which are the foundation of LLLI beliefs are further developed in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, the most comprehensive handbook on breastfeeding and parenting ever published. It has provided needed answers to three generations of nursing mothers on every aspect of breastfeeding.
