Question about finding a LLL group?

[dharmama]

Hi!! So glad MDC is back so I can post this question...

I am expecting my first baby in June and I'm looking for a LLL group to join. When I went on the LLL Web site it appears that there are no groups close to me (there are some 40 minutes away but I was hoping for something 15-20 minutes from my house). Anyway....I started asking around and looking on the local library web sites and I found a couple of LLL groups that meet at libraries near my house.

My question is...why aren't these groups listed on the LLL web site?

Thanks!

~Erin

[liz-hippymom]

no answer for you Erin, but i have the same problem!!
i met this lady at the library who said she was a la leche league member here in san marcos, but on the LLL web sight, there is no san marcos branch .
also, do most LLL groups let you bring 2-4 year olds, i saw on all the pages, BABIES WELCOME, and it seemed a subtle hint to me- ie NOT TODDLERS. cause of course i cant go if i cant bring the boys!

[dharmama]

Hey Liz! Hope some eperienced LLL-mamas out there can help us!!

[Rachelsmom]

Of course you can bring your children!! My group isn't listed either but you can email them...just look at the bottom of your state's web page to find the email addresses.

hth

[phathui5]

I do know that LLL doesn't handle listing all the individual groups on its website. The group has to ask to be listed then handle its own regional site that LLL gives it. So if they're not listed, they haven't asked to be.

[beautyful]

My LLL group is fine with bringing children too.

One of the leaders has 5 children, who she homeschools, and she brings all of them. (Usually only the 2.5 and 4 year old are in the actual meeting room with us though)

[eilonwy]

Originally posted by liz-hippymom
no answer for you Erin, but i have the same problem!!
i met this lady at the library who said she was a la leche league member here in san marcos, but on the LLL web sight, there is no san marcos branch .
also, do most LLL groups let you bring 2-4 year olds, i saw on all the pages, BABIES WELCOME, and it seemed a subtle hint to me- ie NOT TODDLERS. cause of course i cant go if i cant bring the boys!

I think they're all your babies There are always lots of toddlers running around at LLL meetings.. many are still nursing at 2 and 3, even a few 4 year olds (though most of them have cut back considerably). You can bring your entire family, kids, parents, husbands, etc. Usually it's just women and small children (5 and under) but occasionally there will be a 6 or 8 year old. Once someone brought an 11 year old . Toddlers will definately be welcome.

[Viola]

Don't they usually ask that you ask in advance before bringing husbands? I vaguely remember hearing something about that, but maybe that was just my group. I think the idea was that in the new moms meeting, there might be some moms there coming to their first meeting who might be a little nervous and afraid to breastfeed in front of people, especially men. Hmmm, now I'm not sure what I'm thinking of. I know our group in CA held couple's meetings upon occasion.

[liz-hippymom]

ok, cool, thanks ladies! i am glad i can bring my boys, because i need some friends ITRW ! i am going to call the closest chapter today to ask if there is one in my town.
thanks!

[norasmom]

also try looking in your local paper. There are usually a lisiting of events somewhere. That's how I found my group.

[rachdoll]

Check your local phone book, too. Or your local WIC might know.

[DaryLLL]

Toddlers and preschoolers are expected at LLL mtgs. Of course, they can make for a noisy mtg. Quite often, LLL groups try to find a space that has a "toy room" right next to the mtg rm, so the toddlers can play and still come and check in with mom. The group will ask the moms to take do a good job watching their kids. If anybody has a meltdown it is expected you will take her out of the mtg rm til she feels better. Sometimes some group workers will take turns with childcare, or they might hire a homeschooled teenager to do it. It varies.

There are usually less toddlers at nighttime mtgs, as quite often, Dad/Partner can watch them.

Most of the time LLL mtgs are women only. Exceptions are made for special mtgs, such as couples mtgs or moms of multiples.

[Lil'M]

My take on saying "babies welcome" in a flier is that it means the meeting is not for adults only. I actually went to my first meeting without my 5 week old dd#1 because I didn't really know anything about LLL and I had this idea that meetings of any kind were not places where babies are welcome. They might not say toddlers or children welcome because they don't want to freak out new moms who have never even thought of the concept of nursing children/toddlers.

In terms of men coming to meetings, in the past, we've had fliers that say something like: all women interested in breastfeeding are welcome. We sometimes have couples' meetings, but for regular meetings where you might have new moms or anyone uncomfortable breastfeeding in front of men they don't know(sometimes with the whole breast exposed to help with latch, etc.), I think it makes some women more comfortable to know it is only other women. But we've had female nursing students, a female chiropractor, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, etc. come to our meetings.