I think  it is unfortunate that a nurse teaching a class would only
recommend calling them at the hospital, but as an LC and an LLL Leader, I
have had mothers that have called a La Leche League Leader in their area and
have waited two weeks to receive a call back!  They subsequently called our
office and received help.  Some of these  babies have had some real
difficulty.  I'm scratching my head over that one because I highly promote
La Leche League meetings as a place for support and encouragement and pass
out fliers for all the different Groups in the area.  I also tell mothers
that they can call a Leader anytime for phone help--especially since we are
only in our office at the hospital every day from 8-4.

I am frustrated about this because it has happened several times.  I do
realize that some mothers aren't comfortable with some of the ideas shared
at Group meetings, however, a Leader *should* be able to assist a mother
with basic latch-on techniques and breastfeeding a newborn in the early
days.

I had to spend a lot of time explaining to some of these mothers that not
all Groups and LLL Leaders are so *flaky*.  I have given out my home phone
number even though  I am a half-hour away and there are Groups in the towns
of these mothers.  These mothers are happy to have my phone number for "just
in case".  I feel that many of these mothers would be  great potential Group
members, but have been turned off by La Leche League's lack of help.......

That could be how this nurse got her impression of La Leche League.....could
be she had been recommending LLL in the past and perhaps a patient/client
did not have a positive experience, or perhaps she personally didn't have a
good experience.

Unfortunately, it does happen.......

Connie Chiavario, LLL Leader, CLC, IBCLC

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