The
Ten LLL Concepts:
The basic philosophy of La Leche League is summarized
in the following statements:
- 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.
- 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.
The ideals and principles of mothering which are the foundation
of LLL's beliefs are further developed in THE WOMANLY ART
OF BREASTFEEDING, the most comprehensive handbook on breastfeeding
and parenting ever published. It has provided needed answers
to three generations of nursing mothers on every aspect of
breastfeeding.
LLL's Purpose:
La Leche League was founded to give information and encouragement,
mainly through personal help, to all mothers who want to breastfeed
their babies. While complementing the care of the physician
and other health care professionals, it recognizes the unique
importance of one mother helping another to perceive the needs
of her child and to learn the best means of fulfilling those
needs.
LLL believes that breastfeeding, with its many important physical
and psychological advantages, is best for baby and mother
and is the ideal way to initiate good parent-child relationships.
The loving help and support of the father enables the mother
to focus on mothering so that together the parents develop
close relationships which strengthen the family and thus the
whole fabric of society.
LLL further believes that mothering through breastfeeding
deepens a mother's understanding and acceptance of the responsibilities
and rewards of her special role in the family. As a woman
grows in mothering she grows as a human being, and every other
role she may fill in her lifetime is enriched by the insights
and humanity she brings to it from her experiences as a mother.
The League's purpose is distinct. This singleness of purpose
does not prevent interaction with other organizations with
compatible purposes, but La Leche League will carefully guard
against allying itself with another cause, however worthwhile
that cause may be. (from La Leche League's Purpose and Philosophy,
LLLI Publication No. 300-17)
[Home][Monthly
Meetings][Library][Membership][Events][Links][Concepts
& Philosophy]
|
