Community Spotlight
Got Mom?

When deciding to nurse her first child, Debbie Chapdelaine figured the breastfeeding know-how would come naturally. It didn't.

Though she experienced no discomfort during her infant's feedings, her maternal instincts told her she wasn't doing it quite right. She called the La Leche League.

"I attended my first meeting and it was so reassuring to see and hear other women relate their experiences, and give their suggestions as to what worked for them and what didn't," says Chapdelaine, member of the Williamsburg LLL and accredited group Leader since 2001.   "I was, at the time, the only woman in my family to have breastfed, so I had no one else to turn to. LLL was a lifeline."  

The La Leche League is an international organization that provides critical support and assorted information on the advantages and challenges of breastfeeding. Seven area LLL groups meet across Hampton Roads and provide such resources as telephone support and a lending library in addition to the meetings.   Cindy Rohrer, a group Leader with the Suffolk LLL says this type of networking is especially beneficial for soon-to-be and new moms. "As a Leader and an experienced nursing mother, my goal is to help other mothers with their questions or concerns, one mother to another."

Says Rohrer, "With the mother-to-mother support, they gain the courage to follow their mothering instincts and their hearts. It also allows you to meet other mothers with common goals."

There's no cost to attend the meetings.

According to Peninsula League Leader Angela Burton, meetings offer nursing moms an abundance of helpful information that combines clinical research and over 50 years of La Leche insight--insight into such varied topics as breastfeeding multiples and relactation for adoptive mothers.

"Group meetings are usually held monthly and are organized around a repeating series of four themes; the benefits of breastfeeding, getting off to a good start, avoiding and overcoming difficulties, and babies' changing needs-nutrition as baby gets older and the weaning process" says Burton.

"Since breastfeeding is about more than just food, other aspects of mothering / parenting will be discussed at meetings if they affect or are affected by breastfeeding."

Spousal support, for instance. While fathers are not typically permitted at normal meetings (so mothers will feel more at ease talking about more delicate issues), La Leche insists they play a critical role in the success of breastfeeding baby.

Dihann Geier, a certified Lactation Consultant who offers personal and specialized support to nursing parents through Tidewater Lactation Consultants, agrees.

"Since all fathers want happy and healthy wives and babies, then yes, it is in his best interest to help the mom become a successful breastfeeder," says Geier.

"When the Dad comes to the consultation with the mom, he can learn how to help mom, how to be her cheerleader, and how he can help her by taking care of her and the house and the meals for several days, leaving the mother to take care of the baby."

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For more information about the La Leche League, visit www.lalecheleague.org.