UPDATE: You gals were not kidding. It was a wonderful meeting!!! I came out feeling even more empowered and confident that I can indeed do this and very VERY possibly achieve my goal of EBF without the SNS!!!
It was a small intimate group. 4 of us and 2 leaders. Everyone was wonderful and so supportive and made me feel so at ease!!
And the best part was that Aaron IS latching and sucking well!!! They even said he is one happy baby on the boob!:giggle:
The meetings happen once a month here and I told DH I HAVE to go because it is where I get the most support [aside from him and my mom]...
I felt like I was one cloud nine when I left!
Thank you for your input and encouragement to go!!!
ETA: I put this in the parenting forum for more exposure.
Through all of my nursing struggles, I've talked to the LC at the hospital where Aaron was born and a local LLL leader who helped me A LOT!
However I have never been to an official LLL meeting and plan on going to one tomorrow night for the first time. They are about 45 minutes from my house and with things very tight right now I really have to plan trips to when we have money for gas to go extra places.
Anyway, I've heard a few different things from LLL meetings are wonderful resources to "I hated it because I was made to feel like an idiot"...
I want to dispell any rumors or whatever.
As you can see I do use an SNS to supplement due to Aaron not gaining, but losing weight. Trying to get my supply up [if that IS the true issue...you never know!} [Posted about this about 1 1/2 months ago.]
Anyway, from some of the stuff I've heard, I'm half scared to go because I don't want to hear "you're a terrible mom for supplementing"...Not that I care what they think, but I'm going for further support on what to do [in loving and caring way] if that makes sense.
So what has been your experience with the meetings??? Tell me the good, the bad or the ugly!:giggle: Oh and do they have scales there to weigh the baby or the ones where you can weigh before/after they eat?
What goes on at a meeting, does it just vary on how things really are due to personalities??
SunflowerKids
09-14-2008, 04:35 PM
I've been going to LLL meetings for the past 6 yrs, in 3 different cities. I love it so much, I recently became an accredited leader!
The meetings are a series of 4 topics (new one each month, then the cycle repeats.) The leader/s will open the meeting, usually ask everyone attending to introduce themselves, then ask if anyone has pressing concerns that need to be addressed immediately (like new moms with latch issues.) They want to make sue to tackle those concerns first so that they have enough time. Then they will go into the meeting topic. Some have open q & a about the topic, others have games to cover the info and get everyone involved. It just depends on the leader that night.
I have never been to a meeting where people were made to feel "dumb" or isolated. LLL is about supporting breastfeeding, so other things that can come up (co-sleeping, cloth dipes,vaxing, babywearing) are not a part of the official LLL agenda.A leader will make this clear at the begining of the meeting, that she repreents league philosophy.
Nursing with an SNS is not going to get you frowned upon, it will give you a thumbs up for working to improve your breastfeeding experience. The leader and moms will probably ask about your situation and offer suggestions. No, there isn't a scale for weighing the babies (at least not at any I have heard of.) Some leaders do own their own scales and may offer to do a home visit to help you & weigh the baby, but it isn't a regular part of a meeting.
I'm sorry you have to travel to attend your meeting, but I really think it's a wonderful resource for support and information. I hope you have a wonderful time! Don't be shy, everyone there was once a new mom nursing for the first time and had their own concerns about breastfeeding to address!
Terra
09-14-2008, 04:43 PM
Excellent! Thank you mama :goodvibes: I can't wait to get some more in person professional advice!!!!!! Yeah, I hate that they are so far [well the far part doesn't bother me, but I hate being poor :giggle:]
I will be sure to voice my own BF concerns when they ask!!
iris0110
09-14-2008, 05:02 PM
They are usually really great. Most moms are nice and try to be as supportive and helpful as possible. I don't know about all of the LLL groups, but there are several mama's at ours who use SNS systems. In a couple of the cases the SNS systems were recomended by one of the LLL leaders, who helped the moms shop for the right system and learn to use it. I'm sure there are some groups out there that aren't so good, but I think most are just mom's getting together to help each other. Now I will admit I don't always like going to them, I have a bit of social anxiety disorder and it is hard for me to like meeting groups of people. And just like with anything else it can be Cliquey (is that even a word?) but I don't think it is a problem for most people. I've even gotten alot of great cding support at LLL.
titania
09-14-2008, 07:18 PM
at our meetings we ususally do some sort of game, or discussion on the topic. i have found it to be a fantastically supportive environment. i supplemented with bottles and was never frowned on for it. its all a learning experience really. i was finally able to get off the supplements, and seriously, i credit that to LLL. not anything really specific, just knowing and having that supportive, like-minded group as part of my life was apparently what i needed at the time. now i just enjoy meeting with other moms and just talking. you know, when the kids let us! :lostit: we actually have a very active and growing group, with playdates and enrichment meetings in addition to the monthly series meetings. 2 of our members are actually diaperswapper mamas. :thumbsup:
LLL isn't about judgement. at the opening of meetings participants are reminded to "take what works for you and leave the rest".
i was wondering how you were doing. i knew you were struggling, and had hoped things were easier. let us know how it you like the meeting.
Terra
09-15-2008, 07:37 AM
at our meetings we ususally do some sort of game, or discussion on the topic. i have found it to be a fantastically supportive environment. i supplemented with bottles and was never frowned on for it. its all a learning experience really. i was finally able to get off the supplements, and seriously, i credit that to LLL. not anything really specific, just knowing and having that supportive, like-minded group as part of my life was apparently what i needed at the time. now i just enjoy meeting with other moms and just talking. you know, when the kids let us! :lostit: we actually have a very active and growing group, with playdates and enrichment meetings in addition to the monthly series meetings. 2 of our members are actually diaperswapper mamas. :thumbsup:
LLL isn't about judgement. at the opening of meetings participants are reminded to "take what works for you and leave the rest".
i was wondering how you were doing. i knew you were struggling, and had hoped things were easier. let us know how it you like the meeting.
Thanks!! It will be nice to go and have some support!!!
Thanks for thinking of me too! It's still a struggle some. I'm using the SNS like crazy. Some days I think things look great and then others, not so much. But I'm hanging in there! I'm just glad he's still nursing period! No way was I giving up that easy!
Yesterday I even NIP successfully WITH the SNS!! Usually I don't use it in public. But we were at an amusement park and I would be gone long enough to supplement.
Terra
09-16-2008, 07:58 AM
bump
SunflowerKids
09-16-2008, 08:01 AM
Yay! So glad to hear you enjoyed it! It sounds like you are making wonderful progress with Aaron. :thumbsup
Our meeting is tonight, I am looking foward to it. It's my ladies night out. LOL
titania
09-16-2008, 09:52 AM
so glad you enjoyed the meeting! it really is nice to feel that level of support, isn't it? :goodvibes:
Thanks!! It will be nice to go and have some support!!!
Thanks for thinking of me too! It's still a struggle some. I'm using the SNS like crazy. Some days I think things look great and then others, not so much. But I'm hanging in there! I'm just glad he's still nursing period! No way was I giving up that easy!
Yesterday I even NIP successfully WITH the SNS!! Usually I don't use it in public. But we were at an amusement park and I would be gone long enough to supplement.
:bowdown: you are one bad mamajama!! i couldn't even use it IN my house, let alone out in public!! you go mama!! :lostit:
Terra
09-16-2008, 10:22 AM
so glad you enjoyed the meeting! it really is nice to feel that level of support, isn't it? :goodvibes:
:bowdown: you are one bad mamajama!! i couldn't even use it IN my house, let alone out in public!! you go mama!! :lostit:
Thanks mama!! That means A LOT!! It's not an easy task for sure! But gosh darn it, I kept thinking [about NIP w/ it]...I already have to nurse, so I really don't want to sit and do a bottle too, so I figured out how to do it!
