When I lived in St. Louis my co-Leader Debbi Heffern and I got permission from
LLLI to have a Fathers Welcome Group as opposed to a Couples Group (those dads
who wanted to come were welcome, but moms didn't need to feel they had to "drag"
dad there in order to be part of the group).  As there were plenty of other
groups nearby for moms to attend if they were uncomfortable with fathers'
presence, we were granted a one-series permission.  After each meeting we asked
everyone to answer questions related to their level of comfort, etc. related to
this "experiment".

We found that not even the first-breastfeeding moms or the pregnant moms felt
uncomfortable.  With this evidence in hand, we were granted permission from LLLI
to continue the "Fathers-Welcome" format.

We found that after the first series,   the fathers' interest dwindled, and they
attended one or two meetings then stayed home with the older children or doing
"whatever", but were very supportive of their wives' wish to continue attending.


Our group moms were mostly middle-class, educated and many were employed outside
the home.

So, I guess the question is for the LC - what do you feel comfortable with and
what is the goal of the class or group.  There are reasons for doing things
either way (with or without dads) and you're the best judge of what works best
for you.

Jeanette Panchula, BSW, LLLL, IBCLC, RN
[log in to unmask]
Puerto Rico - surviving Hortense on my bithday (49) with no water and no
electricity (we have a generator, so I can 'keep in touch".)