Liz makes an excellent point. Also, (I am NOT speaking FOR LLL, so this is my 
own interpretation of LLL Philosophy) usually LLL does not step in unless 
ASKED to. 

In other words, from my understanding a mother from this situation would need 
to contact LLL's legal department, and request some assistance. LLL has 
learned from decades of such interactions, that it is not wise to tread where 
we (they) are not asked to be by the mothers. 

Also, from my understanding, LLL is NOT a religious nor political organization, 
so it would have to be handled with kid gloves in the first place. 

My guess is that the women involved in this situation would NOT call LLL for 
help. These women have been isolated by their cult, and I see it as extremely 
unlikely they would call an organization which supports ALL women from ALL 
religious and political standpoints, without taking their own religious or political 
stand. 

I don't know how many AAPLs Texas has, but my guess would be that would 
be the first point of contact.  (I am not, however, trying to put pressure on 
Texas AP department.)

I have been a LLL member for almost 22 years, and a LLL leader for nearly 19 
years, and also a former AAPL. LLL leaders do not step in, where they are not 
asked, and in a situation of this delicacy, I think it would need a great deal of 
careful consideration and maybe more than LLL can handle alone. (BUT again, I 
DO NOT speak for LLL, I am just speaking on my understanding of Philosophy 
AND understanding of the mechanics of legal advocacy.) 

For instance, if I knew, when I was an AAPL that a woman in my area was 
having problems with a divorce, custody or overnight visitation issue with a 
breastfed baby, I could not, as either a LLL Leader or an AAPL simply step in 
and start any balls rolling, without her asking for help. As leaders we NEED to 
be contacted and have moms agree to our help, and even then, we can't 
always change things. I have seen custody and visitation go very well with 
some help, and I have seen BF Advocates put in just as much effort and have 
no good come from the court decisions. As an IBCLC, I have been contacted 
by mothers to help with everything from Jury Duty (which is now been solved 
in our state, in mom and baby's favor) to overnight visitation with very young, 
breastfeeding babies as well as toddlers. As people from the LLL legal 
department used to tell us, "It is really up to the individual Judges' 
understanding and empathy to how these cases turn out." Two very similar 
cases could have completely different outcomes, simply depending on the 
Judge. 

Anyway, my guess is that not only would LLL need to be contacted by 
mothers directly, but I think LLL's resources would be terribly strained in this 
case. Perhaps hiring individual IBCLCs who have some legal understanding 
would be these mother's best choice, maybe along with the PL department 
helping out, IF asked, in most of these several hundred cases. (And either LLL 
or IBCLCs or both in tandem will not guarantee the same outcome for all these 
children and their mothers.) 

Also, laws were broken in this case in Texas, and in many courtrooms, that it 
the first and most important issue taken into account. 

I feel for these mothers and their children, but often one needs to take 
initiative in order to have advocacy. (I hope no one takes offense at this 
statement, but it is very true.) I don't know if initiative is something many of 
these women are willing to do, or even able. Sad. 

Mary Jozwiak IBCLC, RLC, LLLL
Private Practice 

All statements and opinions in this post are those of Mary Jozwiak alone. They 
are not to be construed as speaking for any group, person or organization. 

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