I dont know how we got from Walmart, to LLLI Catalog, to LLL Leaders and
group meetings.  Yes, Ive read all the postings and have found no
relationship whatsoever, plus I have found some of the comments very
offending not only to LLLI but to LLLL, who I feel are the most valuable
resources in the BF community.
Here are my two cents:

First, I agree with others who posted...there can be excellent LLLL, IBCLC,
CLC, MD, RN, support groups etc...as well as we have seen the other way
around.  This doesnt mean that if one of them acts a certain way, all of the
others are the same.  The same goes with LLLI support groups.  At the
beginning of a LLL meeting mothers are reminded to take the information they
feel it is of value to them and leave out the information that is not.
Sometimes mothers participating in these support groups might say things
that are wrong, or that are offending to some (hey, havent we seen this
going on right now???)...and it is up to the LLLL to get involved and give
the right information.  Sometimes the LLLL  might choose to discuss
something with the mother after the meeting ends; sometimes it is because
the LLLL fears it could get out of hand if it is discussed  right in the
support group and the mother might get the wrong information; or if the
leader feels uncomfortable discussing some topic in public or doent know the
answer, she will refer her to another person.

Second, LLLL are constantly reminded that we "work" with mothers using "low
tech" advantages...this means LLLL try to help mothers without "pushing"
breastpumps, nipple shields and the other things.  We try to resolve any
problem first without using any of these "gadgets".  If we feel something is
needed, then we inform the mother where she can get the proper
support/guidance.

Concerning the topic about Walmart and LLLI Catalog (plus other catalogs and
stores who do sell BF equipment) that was the original topic, I think that
we shoud be happy that the word is going around (BF I mean) and they
(companies) are looking at BF mothers as a growing market...plus pregnant
and new mothers are going to get some information about BF.   Lots of
mothers dont even know about LLL or IBCLC or CLC, this is specially so for
"low income mothers".  So,  isnt that what we all wanted after all, to get
the information around???  My personal opinion is that if  we look at this
as if we are going to loose sales ($$$), probably so, but if we do this only
for the money/sales and not because we want to help mothers breastfeed and
increase the percentages of BF among the women in our different communities,
then we are in the wrong bussiness.

Third, there are a lot of mothers who feel comfortable getting their
equipment this way (catalogs, stores, internet) instead of coming to us for
different reasons; some have express they do so  because they feel
threatened that we are going to push them to buy things they dont need
(there are a lot of these stories going around).  If a mother needs extra
help, she will surely get in touch with us.

Last, I want to leave reminding all of us that without the existence of LLLI
most probably BF would have gone to extinction in our country.  There
wouldnt be any IBCLC or CLC, etc...  Plus, there are many mothers who do not
have direct access to LLLI, IBCLC or CLC for that matter, and the LLLI
Catalog is one of the means that these mothers have to get the right
information.

LLLove,
Carmen Cabrer, LLLL, IBCLC
San Juan, Puerto Rico

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