I needed to know: 1) that I wasn't the only woman who had
>ever had
>a hard time of it, and 2) that babies can be peculiar little
>creatures, no
>matter how well-read and well-intentioned the mama, and 3) there's
>more than
>one way to skin a cat, as we used to say, and 4) what are some of
>those
>other things I could try anyway?

As someone pointed out already, had you gone to an LLL meeting these
questions and more would have been answered.

>But, unfortunately, I also know that a lot of women have been turned
>off to
>LLL, at least partially by that book. Many of the women I worked with
>at
>WIC, for example, would tell me that they didn't want to call LLL with
>BF
>problems, because they "knew" that LLL "was against women working",
>and what
>they needed help with was  getting back to work or school while nsg.

If they have this impression it's only because others have given them
outdated versions of WAB or misinformation about LLL in general.
When a mother who is planning on returning to work calls our Group we
send out (free of chargeto them but at a cost to the Group) the reprint
of "Practical hints for working and Breastfeeding" which gives hints on
getting baby to take the bottle, pumping, taking time for herself, as
well as mentioning that she might be questioning her decision to continue
nursing while working.
There's also a chapter in the new edition of WAB that specifically deals
with this issue.

>Or
>that they were afraid the LLL person they called would "yell at them"
>because they weren't exclusively BFing, or the only wanted to nurse
>for a
>few weeks, or whatever. And this despite my strong assurances that the
>local
>LLL women weren't at all like that -

No LLLL should be like that.  Our purpose is to inform and support women
in their DECISION to BF.  I can't say what's right for any one but myself
and my family.  It's statements like this that give people the slanted
view of LLL that they have.

please understand
>- I
>am NOT bashing LLL!!!

Just by allowing that there are Leaders who'll pass judgement, whether
"local" or not, may not be bashing but it's certainly not helping.

>Just my opinion, based on my own experience!

Hopefully, the responses to your post will help broaden your outlook on
an organazation that's helped countless women when there was no other
help


Stacey Bentz, LLLL, Lawrenceville, NJ.

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