Considering becoming a LLL leader...but my kids are older...

[Fillyjonk]

Now my kids are a bit older, I'd like to do something breastfeeding counsellor-y. I really like the look of the LLL and think it would be a good fit for me. I've done a small amount of peer support work with other organisations, but didn't like them so much, and actually have some reservations about peer support (really only because of the level of training supporters got in practice and so the myths that were being circulated to new mothers).

Here's the thing. I've only been to a few LLL meetings. Bascially, when my oldest was small, there was no LLL group locally and we had no car. By the time my second and third kids came along, I had a good network of breastfeeding friends and, tbh, never saw much need. I am realising now just how lucky I was having this experience.

I do actually know two of the local LLL leaders and could certainly get along to meetings, but I'm not sure how it woudl work to have me there, possibly without kids (mine are homeschooled but I can leave them with someone).

So how does it all work, is it even possible for me to volunteer if I don't have nurslings? If i haven't been to many meetings? Is it advisable? Daft as this might seem, I'm also a bit worried because I had an overwhelmingly positive breastfeeding experience. I never found it hard, I always expected I could do it, both my kids grandmothers breastfed sucessfully so the expectation was always there. In something like seven years of breastfeeding I think I had a couple of hits of mastitis and that was it. So I am a bit worried that I might underestimate how hard some women find it.

I know I'd have to go to meetings for a year or so first, and that's fine. My only frustration here is that I'd have to travel to the next city to go to these meetings-and we have nothing where I live. I'd really like to get something off the ground locally-like I say, the reason I didn't make it to LLL meetings when my oldest was small was simply that we didn't have a car.

Yours thoughts please :-)

[etsdtm99]

have you checked out this link - http://www.llli.org/lad/talll/talll.html ?

if i were in your situation i would call the leaders with the group near you and tell them you're interested in becoming a leader and talk with them, tell them your kids are older and you're now able to get involved, and you're planning to attend some meetings (they'll likely tell you to come to meetings as a first step) and then you can talk to them at the meeting about your interest and what you should be thinking about as you attend meetings .. read over LLL philosophy and think about how you relate to it..   

[crunchy_mommy]

I was asked to become a LLL leader & started the process but life has gotten in the way & it's basically on hold for now, though I'd still like to do it.

I would recommend going to the local meetings, even without kids. We do sometimes have no-longer-nursing moms at our meetings (usually supporting friends or grown children or whatever) and they tend to have a lot of valuable input. Because of the way meetings run, you do not need to be a leader to positively contribute to the group. You can offer support/ideas/suggestions/etc. freely (and the leaders should make sure to correct any misinformation & guide meetings appropriately). I actually didn't start going to meetings 'til DS was well over a year (boy do I wish I'd started going sooner!) so most of the time I go to the meetings to offer help/support rather than get support myself.

So I'd start going, get totally familiar with how the meetings are run, make sure it's a good fit for you & all... which will probably be fulfilling in & of itself... and then start the process of becoming a leader if you still want to. I think the 'becoming a leader' process can be sped up a bit if there is a real need locally (I know one woman who became a leader in just a few months) but I think you still need to attend a good number of meetings first, I was attending meetings for almost a year before I started the process.

I wouldn't worry about you not experiencing major difficulties with BF'ing, one of the best leaders I know nursed all her children basically problem-free. You will learn lots of suggestions to deal with routine problems (probably many you are already aware of) and other members can always chime in too so it's not up to you to have an answer to everything. Plus you can always take down a mom's number and call her once you've had time to research possible solutions if no one seems able to help at the meetings.

[Peony]

I think it is great that you want to pursue volunteering now! At my LLL meetings I have several women that regularly attend that are no longer nursing, sometimes I get a mom whose children are much older but finally now has the time to come to a meeting. I love having all of them and would gladly welcome more, they do offer experience that can be helpful to the entire group. 

[ameliabedelia]

You can definitely attend meetings, and should.  Even if you aren't a leader, you can offer valuable support.  I also think there is a way to become a LLL leader if you don't live close to any meetings (for those really, really rural), but not sure if that applies to you.  If you are able to attend meetings in the next town, that would be best.  Then just take it from there, talk to the leaders, and you can start the application process.  You would also need to join LLL and buy a few books (the Womanly Art, of Breastfeeding, The Leader's Handbook, etc.)

[Fillyjonk]

thank you so much for your replies. I do have some of those books kicking around somewhere, I think. When my oldest was born, a friend and I who both had babies around the same time bought a shared copy of the book. There was a local LLL group that allegedly met occasionally but neither of us could ever find it ;-) (but seriously, it was never on)

Hopefully will be meeting with an LLL leader in the next few days to decide if its worth going to some meetings...

[Heba]

I began training as a breastfeeding counsellor (not with LLL) after my second child had weaned, and like you never had any major problems with breastfeeding.  I haven't found the fact that I'm no longer breastfeeding to be an issue in any way (in fact your experience with weaning may be valuable), and it's in no way a pre-requisite in my organisation.  I totally understand when you talk about possible finding it difficult to empathise with mums who are facing challenges, but I think the fact that you are concerned about your ability to do so means that you will do just fine :).

I think it's brilliant that you're looking into this.  Mums really really need evidence-based information and support breastfeeding.

Good luck!

xx