We started a weekly mom's group/drop in clinic a few months ago.  We
also have a thriving LLL group that meets in the hospital.  I've
been a LLL Leader for over 30 years and I love the organization
dearly, but let's face it, not every mom feels comfortable in LLL
even with the most accepting of Leaders.  At the same time, some
moms aren't comfortable with a group lead by a "professional".  You
can't please all the people all the time.  There is a nitch for each
type of group to fill.
We find some of the moms come to the "clinic" every week and also
the monthly LLL meetings.  The clinic was originally intended for
moms and babes during the first 6 weeks.  Some just keep coming.
There are now over 20 moms and thier babies (and their strollers in
many cases) and we've outgrown the room!  (The LLL group has also
had attendance that stretches the capacity of the room.)  Not only
are we moving to a larger room, but need to consider breaking the
group into 2 circles at the meetings or offer it twice a week.  (I
suspect some of the moms would come both times).  The original plan
was to have a general area of discussion that rotated each month,
but this hasn't panned out.  The LC facilitating the group might
toss out a question, but often the group just takes off on its own.
What this all means to me is that new moms have a real hunger for
contact with their peers.  This new peer group (moms and babes)
differs widely from her primary peer group in her pre-mom days.  It
goes right back to the loss of the large extended family of past
generations where moms got this kind of support.
If we get a phone call that warrants an office visit and it's a day
or so before the group, we may suggest she come in then (unless it
is obvious she will need lots of 1 on 1 time).  Interestingly,
however, our numbers of outpatient visits (outside the group) have
not dropped.  If anything, they have increased.  Many of the moms
come to the group first (they get flyers about it as inpatients and
there are posters about it on the unit) and later call us with
additional concerns.  I think some like to "check us out" in a less
intimate group setting after which they feel more comfortable in
calling.
Winnie Mading IBCLC - in Wisconsin where it looks like we will have
a real White Christmas for the first time in several years.

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