Are you a woman who:

• has enjoyed breastfeeding her baby?
• would like to help other mothers to share that enjoyment?
• knows first-hand about the advantages of this natural way of understanding and satisfying the needs of the baby?
• has the enthusiasm to volunteer with an organisation that helps women locally and throughout the world?

Sound interesting? Then La Leche League Leadership may be for you!

A La Leche League Leader knows from personal experience what it's like to get started nursing a new baby and why breastfeeding is important to the older baby. She is a vital part of an organisation that is recognised worldwide as a leading authority on breastfeeding. She is one of over 6,000 active Leaders who have access to La Leche League information in more than 30 languages.

Helping Others

A new mother benefits from encouragement and practical information. La Leche League Leaders offer this through a series of monthly meetings and by telephone.

Mother-to-Mother Support

Using her experience and LLL training, the Leader provides and facilitates mother-to-mother support. She encourages discussion and exploration of a variety of approaches to mothering through breastfeeding and a deeper understanding of a baby's needs and mother's unique role in meeting those needs.

Applying for Leadership

The prerequisites to applying are:

Personal Breastfeeding Experience The mother has breastfed her baby for at least nine months when she applies for leadership. Her baby was exclusively breastfed until there was a nutritional need for other foods (i.e., about the middle of the first year for the healthy, full-term baby). If baby has weaned, the baby was nursed for about a year and the transition from breastfeeding respected the baby's needs. Note: Special consideration may be given to a woman whose personal breastfeeding experience is outside the realm of a normal course of breastfeeding.

Mothering Experience The mother values nursing at the breast as the optimal way to nourish, nurture, and comfort her baby. She recognises, understands, and responds to baby's need for her presence as well as for her milk. She manages any separation from her baby with sensitivity and respect for the baby's needs.

Before applying to train as a La Leche League Leader we also ask that you have attended a full series of meetings, own a copy of 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' and are full member of La Leche League.

Responsibilities of a La Leche League Leader

• To help mothers by telephone or in person, keeping accurate records of all helping situations
• To plan and lead monthly Series Meetings
• To supervise the management of the local Group, including membership, finances, Group workers, Group Library, and materials for sale and to make monthly reports about her LLL activities
• To keep up to date on all advances in breastfeeding information, taking advantage of LLL's opportunities for continuing education through publications, meetings, correspondence, and the network of resource Leaders
• To take an active role in helping other mothers find out about leadership and help them prepare to become LLL Leaders

Where there is more than one Leader in a Group, the duties can be shared to suit the Leaders involved.

Interested in finding out more?

Your next steps towards becoming a Le Leche League Leader are to become a member of LLL(GB), to buy and read your copy of 'The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding' and to contact your local Leader.