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La Leche League's Purpose and Philosophy
La Leche League was founded to give
information and encouragement, mainly through one-to-one
helping, to all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies.
LLL recognizes the unique importance of one mother helping
another to understand the needs of her children and to explore
the most appropriate ways for her to fulfill those needs.
La Leche League is an international nonprofit,
nonsectarian organization. Regardless of race, religion,
economics, lifestyle or education, La Leche League Leaders are
united in their acceptance of our philosophy.
We believe:
•
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.
*From LLLI LEADER’S HANDBOOK, Shaumburg, IL:
LLLI, 2003; xvi-xvii |
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Last updated
Friday February 09, 2007 |
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