I'd like to clarify a few things. Any given LLL Group will have a different set of women. The Group, while part of the discussion, is not responsible for the information given, nor held accountable for their individual beliefs. They are welcome to express their concepts and the Leader's job during the discussions is to provide a wealth of options, usually beginning with a phrase like, "some women have found that..." We start meetings with a disclaimer which might begin, "You are the expert on your baby. Feel free to take what you hear that is helpful and leave the rest." Regarding Accreditation as a Leader: some of you who are curious might want to contact the Leader Accreditation Department for you Area. Order the Applicant packet and see what is involved in Accreditation. Most Leaders have the Breastfeeding Answer Book, Medications and Mother's Milk, The Womanly Art and other references by their phone and with them at meetings (and that does not include their probable extensive library of pamphlets, tear-off sheets and parenting books). They are required to stay up-to-date or retire as Leaders. We receive a magazine expressly for Leaders which included medically informative articles from the Professional Liason Department, another arm of LLL. Lastly, remember that most Leaders still have children underfoot at home! They are volunteers because this is a subject near to their heart. They chose to help women breastfeed. If one has less pumping information, they might refer to a co-Leader who has a supply of pumps. If they come across an issue which they can't answer, they have a Professional Liason in their own Area to contact for information. As a Leader, it is my distinct pleasure to be both a mother and informed about the latest breastfeeding research. I make it my business to attend Conferences, search Medline when needed, and READ continually. I also work to maintain friendly, open relationships with LCs at my local hospitals. We plan to work together next year to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week. *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html