Starting LLL in your area.

Luv2bemommy · 10-22-2006, 07:30 PM

A friend of mine over on another board is going to try and start a LLL here in our county.. I WISH I could, but I havent breastfed long enough.

Anyways, any advice for her? I told her I would do everything in my power to help her get this off the ground but not sure what to do! She wants to have the meetings at her house, but I don't think that is such a great idea since women who doesnt know her might not feel that comfortable being a newborn to her house and all. I suggested a place like a library or local church would be better. I plan on calling around tomorrow and seeing what I can do as far as that. Anyone know if LLL has fliers you can print from their website to post around town? I couldnt find any and so far she hasnt made any. I suck at making stuff like that or I would myself. She said this is a trial run but I'm scared it won't do anything and she will give up!! I REALLY need a LLL here in my area, I NEED the support myself once the baby is born!!

What can I do?

Abbydoula · 10-22-2006, 07:48 PM

The LLL Leader working with her on her accreditation process will also help her IMMENSELY in this regard. LLL has a HUGE network of folks that she can contact via email re. all of these subjects.

LLL started out in women's homes. But I agree, if it is a conservative area, women may not feel comfortable. But some women aren't comfortable going to LLL no matter what.

Abby

Stacie · 10-22-2006, 08:00 PM

motherstouchdoula · 10-22-2006, 08:39 PM

I am starting a New LLL group here in La. I contacted the local hospital to have meeting in there conference rooms. They were more than willing to have LLL there at the hospital.

MothertheMother · 10-22-2006, 09:01 PM

our local LLL leader held the meetings at a chiropractors office for a while (until too many women started showing up to be comfortable in the space). Now they meet at one of the hospitals classrooms. It is not in the hospital but it is where all of the cbe and breastfeeding classes are taught.

Luv2bemommy · 10-22-2006, 09:14 PM

Thanks! I'm so afraid this won't go anywhere since it's at her home. I dunno, maybe I am overreacting! She doesn't really seem to want to do it more my way (even though we are both in the same county), she wants to stay in her city. So in that case, I know our hospital would be out since she doesn't want to drive that far.

Who knows. If I ever get to the 9 month breastfeeding mark (aiming for that this time!) I am becoming a LLL leader and doing this myself!!!!!

motherstouchdoula · 10-22-2006, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2bemommy

Who knows. If I ever get to the 9 month breastfeeding mark (aiming for that this time!) I am becoming a LLL leader and doing this myself!!!!!

What a wonderful goal you have set for yourself and your baby. But, I just wanted to let you know it is 9 months at the time of application and 12 months for Leadership.
But, we all know you can hit the 12 month mark without any problem!! then who knows 14 months starting looking easier and easier.

Luv2bemommy · 10-22-2006, 10:21 PM

Heck, I really wanna do TWO YEARS!! At first though, as long as I can get the support and get past those first few weeks I have such a hard time with, then I'm good to go!

heathenmamaof5 · 10-23-2006, 12:35 AM

Candice, with all of your Doula Sister's here I'm sure you will get over the hump of those first few weeks. When I started the Antelope/N. Highlands Group we met in my home. I led 8 series here until my dh put his foot down because closet doors, lamps, and toys were getting broken. Then we moved to a church. I've done meetings at the library, the grocery store's breakroom, the hospital, an apartment complex meeting hall, etc. The main thing is to get the space donated. I'm curious, is your freind in the application process? Or are you thinking of doing the peer counselor thing? Oh, and please ask bf questions here on this forum. Stacie is sooooo wonderful about giving correct information and just because we're not near you physically doesn't mean we can't help you. It's amazing how much a calm voice, with correct info, can help a frazzled mom!

DoulaYvonne · 10-23-2006, 08:20 PM

For years and years (honestly) my Group met in homes. We would ask a Group mom to commit to a series (Four) of meetings to be held at her home and we would rotate as new members came aboard. About 5 years ago we moved to the Community Room of a grocery store. It has, for the most part, been a great relationship. The parking lot is always plowed in the winter, there is always air conditioning in the summer, and everyone knows where it is. I personally liked meeting in homes though because it is warm and personal. Kuddos to your friend (and you

) for her determination!

Matrescence · 10-25-2006, 06:05 PM

Regi and I just started working with a leader on the process. I had no idea how involved it was. We're hoping to begin a LLL group in our county by next spring. Most libraries will let you use a room, maybe a ped office or a chiro office?

Stacie · 10-25-2006, 11:49 PM

Many don't realize how invloved it is. I often get calls from women who would like to get the 500 hours a year towards becoming an IBCLC, and once they realize what the process is for leadership, they step back and either figure out something else, or quit/delay their dream for a while.

motherstouchdoula · 10-26-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stacie

Many don't realize how invloved it is. I often get calls from women who would like to get the 500 hours a year towards becoming an IBCLC, and once they realize what the process is for leadership, they step back and either figure out something else, or quit/delay their dream for a while.

It is a very long process, some LLL Leaders I know took over a year to finish. It took me 7 months.

Stacie · 10-26-2006, 02:06 PM

It took me under three months, but I basically had everything done but the correspondance part, as I had started the process (unofficially) before my second was born, and then stopped, until after he was a little older.

DoulaYvonne · 10-27-2006, 07:37 PM

A co-Leader of mine took a year and a half. She was an English major in college. She basically made all of the dialoguing into a thesis!

About a year ago we had to have a serious discussion with an applicant who had been "working" toward Leadership for over two years. It was kind of getting ridiculous. She finally admitted that at this time in her life, Leadership was not for her. It's interesting, too, the number of mothers who begin their applicancy and decide that they can't complete it.
A lot depends on the mentor Leader that is working with an applicant. Does she have a lot of other commitments or can she devote a good chunk of time toward developing a leader?
It took me 8 months.