La Leche League (LLL), an international, non-profit organization founded in the United States in 1956 to give information and encouragement to mothers wishing to breastfeed their babies, has started a new English-speaking group in Geneva.Organized by volunteer Leaders, LLL Breastfeeding and Mothering Support Group - Geneva English Group will hold its inaugural meeting in Vessy/Veyrier on 15 March 2011. Future meetings will be held at rotating venues, hosted by parents, on every third Tuesday of the month.
At the meetings, mothers and other relatives will be invited to share experiences, give suggestions and offer support and encouragement. LLL meetings are ideal for learning from and making friends with others. They also provide time for mother-to-mother sharing in a friendly and accepting atmosphere. The informal meetings are attended by expectant, new and experienced mothers and their babies. Whilst most Groups rotate through a series of breastfeeding topics, every meeting is different and the questions of the attendees are always given top priority.
Asked why LLL decided to set up a new group in Geneva, LLL Leader, Michelle, says, “When my son was born, I had a lot of issues and luckily had the support of not only my mother who had breastfed me, but also a breastfeeding clinic where I met other mothers, and a lactation consultant. But when my son was 2 months old, we moved to Jordan and had absolutely no support: my partner worked long hours and I knew no one: no mothers, no family, no La Leche League. When we moved to Switzerland, I thought the situation would be better, but it was just as difficult, even more so, for expats to find the information, encouragement and support they needed to successfully breastfeed their babies.”
She continues, “I don't want any mother to have to live through what we did in Jordan and what I saw and see mothers experiencing here in Switzerland. I wanted to help mothers breastfeed and become confident parents, so I started attending French LLL meetings in Geneva and then Rolle. But it was only when I read the 8th Edition of The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, that I knew I was on the right path and that this was the best way to provide support. Six months later I was accredited and started my first LLL group in Nyon. This new group in Geneva is another step in the process of building an essential support network (see chapter 2 of the book) for families of breastfeeding mothers in this region.”
In generations past, many mothers had plenty of support for breastfeeding their babies because their mothers, grandmothers and sisters had breastfed. In the Geneva area there is such a large expat community that many of mothers live far away from their families and don’t have this kind of support. Breastfeeding is natural, but it is a learned art. Attending an LLL meeting, and seeing other mothers breastfeed their babies, helps new and expectant mothers learn how to nurture their babies too.
Women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to attend LLL meetings. Women are encouraged to begin attending meetings as soon as they know they are pregnant or before, if they are interested! Attending early in a pregnancy gives mothers plenty of time to learn as much as possible about the "womanly art of breastfeeding".
In-depth information on breastfeeding will be presented during the meetings and are expected to cover the following topics:
* The advantages of breastfeeding. Mothers are amazed to hear about the many remarkable qualities of human milk, their bodies fantastic ability to produce milk as well as the positive impact breastfeeding has on families, the environment and society.
* Adjusting to life with a new baby. This meeting focuses on the first six weeks and offers tips to make the transition into being a family as smooth as possible.
* Overcoming difficulties. Leaders and mothers have excellent ideas to help mothers overcome roadblocks that may impede breastfeeding progress.
* Nutrition and weaning. Pregnant women enjoy this topic so they can optimize their unborn baby's health. Mothers learn how to start solids for their babies. Nutritious options for family meals are shared.
LLL is a non-profit, non-governmental, apolitical, non-denominational, international organization. For further information, please visit the website at http://suisse-romande.lalecheleague.ch/Geneva.html
La Leche League France features on Pages 517 and 519 of Know-it-all Passport 2011/2012
