LA Leche League International Inc
To help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and the mother. Statistics LLLI provides over $33 million per year of in-kind services. LLLI reaches well over 300,000 people in 63 countries every month. Approximately 39,000 Leaders have been accredited in the past 44 years. Each LLL Group is attended by an average of 10 women per month, with many Groups attracting 20-30 mothers. LLLI's Center for Breastfeeding Information (CBI) contains more than 17,000 full-length research studies with more than 300 categories of breastfeeding data and adds over 125 new studies a month. The LLLI Board of Directors includes members from six countries. 7 LLLI maintains consultative status with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), official working relations with the World Health Organization (WHO), acts as a registered Private Voluntary Organization (PVO) for the Agency of International Development (USAID), is an accredited member of the US Healthy Mothers/Healthy Babies Coalition, and is a founding member of the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) LLLI is a member of the Child Survival Collaborations and Resources Group (CORE).
La Leche League International Inc
La Leche League International Inc, often abbreviated as LLLI, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting breastfeeding through mother-to-mother support, education, and advocacy. The organization aims to foster a better understanding of breastfeeding as a vital element in the healthy development of both mother and baby.
History
La Leche League was founded in 1956 by seven mothers: Marian Thompson, Mary White, Mary Ann Cahill, Edwina Froehlich, Mary Ann Kerwin, Viola Lennon, and Betty Wagner, in Franklin Park, Illinois. Initially focused on the United States, the organization expanded internationally and became La Leche League International, Inc. in 1964. Over the years, LLLI has evolved to support diverse family structures and breastfeeding situations across about 89 countries.
Mission
The mission of LLLI is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through peer support, encouragement, information, and education. The organization emphasizes the importance of breastfeeding in promoting the well-being of both the mother and child, recognizing it as an integral part of mothering. LLLI also engages in advocacy efforts to ensure breastfeeding is valued and supported in all cultures.
Activities
La Leche League conducts its activities through local groups led by trained Leaders. These Leaders facilitate meetings in various settings, such as homes, hospitals, and community centers, where mothers can discuss breastfeeding challenges and learn from one another's experiences. Additionally, LLLI collaborates with healthcare professionals and other organizations to advance breastfeeding knowledge and practices.
Inclusion and Diversity
In recent years, LLLI has made significant efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion, striving to make its services accessible to families of all backgrounds and compositions. This includes supporting breastfeeding by individuals of all gender identities and expressions.
International Recognition
LLLI holds consultative status with UNICEF, reflecting its global influence in breastfeeding advocacy. The organization has also been involved with the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners, contributing to the professional development of lactation consultants.
Challenges and Controversies
Despite its mission to support all breastfeeding families, LLLI has faced internal debates and external criticism, particularly regarding issues of diversity and inclusion. In November 2024, one of its founders, Marian Tompson, resigned due to disagreements over the organization's stance on transgender individuals who breastfeed.
Legacy
La Leche League International Inc remains a pioneering force in breastfeeding advocacy, shaping policies and practices worldwide. Its dedication to mother-to-mother support has empowered generations of breastfeeding families, contributing to a broader cultural appreciation for the role of breastfeeding in maternal and child health.
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