Fellow lactnetters,
Happy world breastfeeding week to you all!  Since returning from the LLL
conference, which by the way was wonderful, I have been wrestling with some
uncomfortable feelings.  As LLL leaders we have always been warned about
being judgemental of the mothers that come to our meetings.  I have been a
leader  for 9 yrs.  We are always being careful so that we may not
inadvertently offend a new mother.  My meetings are often so toned down as to
be called diluted so that I may not be called radical or militant.  But the
feeling I came away from the conference with is the reverse.  Chele Marmet
expressed it clearly when she said she wears the "zealot" lable proudly on
her forehead.  She is not the only one by far from the conference that sort
of eluded to the fact that
if we don't stand up for what we believe in then our job won't get done.  As
LC's you all seem a little bit more able to express your true feelings
without watering them down.  My question is how do we promote ( read push :))
breastfeeding (without turning people off or offending those that choose
otherwise or should we even be concerned about them.)without making it seem
like just another option but the best choice for you and your baby.   If this
is not the appropriate forum for this message I apoligize ahead of time but I
thought it would be interesting to hear your comments.