La Leche League was founded by seven women in Illinois who were breastfeeding mothers who wanted to help other mothers breastfeed. It began with a conversation at a church picnic in August of 1956. first meeting of LLL was in October of 1956. The seven Founders held meetings in their homes. Today meetings occur all over the world. LLL Philosophy:
■Mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby.
■Mother and baby need to be together early and often to establish a satisfying relationship and an adequate milk supply.
■In the early years the baby has an intense need to be with his mother which is as basic as his need for food.
■Breast milk is the superior infant food.
■For the healthy, full-term baby, breast milk is the only food necessary until the baby shows signs of needing solids, about the middle of the first year after birth.
■Ideally the breastfeeding relationship will continue until the baby outgrows the need.
■Alert and active participation by the mother in childbirth is a help in getting breastfeeding off to a good start.
■Breastfeeding is enhanced and the nursing couple sustained by the loving support, help, and companionship of the baby’s father. A father’s unique relationship with his baby is an important element in the child’s development from early infancy.
■Good nutrition means eating a well-balanced and varied diet of foods in as close to their natural state as possible.
■From infancy on, children need loving guidance which reflects acceptance of their capabilities and sensitivity to their feelings.
