If you’ve thought about attending a local La Leche League meeting but don’t know where to go or what to expect, we hope this post will answer your questions. Now that we’ve added a downtown evening location, this is the perfect time to give LLL meetings a try — we likely offer a meeting near you that works with your schedule. We’d love to meet you and your nursling this summer!
1. I breastfeed my baby some of the time, but I also supplement with formula. Will I feel judged or excluded at a LLL meeting if my experiences aren’t the same as everyone else’s?”
Our goal is to offer the information and support you need to meet your individual breastfeeding goals. Please don’t imagine that there is “one” LLL way and that every mother at every meeting does everything identically! At a typical meeting, you will find women who represent a range of experiences and opinions. We want every mother to come away with greater confidence in her own instincts, empowered to make the decisions that are best for her family. Leaders will often remind mothers, “Take what works for you and leave the rest behind.” Meetings are a non-judgmental, safe space where you can ask any nursing-related question that’s on your mind, get up-to-date scientific answers, and find support along your breastfeeding journey.
2. How often and where do you meet?
The Columbia LLL group offers two monthly meetings: our Northeast morning meeting takes place at 10am on the first Tuesday of the month, at Sandhills Community Church (3513 Hard Scrabble Road). Our downtown meeting takes place at 10am on the first Tuesday of each month, at the Richland Library Main Branch (1431 Assembly Street). The Lexington group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10:30am, at Zion Lutheran Church (226 Corley Mill Rd.). The Irmo group meets the third Tuesday of each month at 10 am, at Union United Methodist Church (7582 Woodrow St.). Please be sure to check the La Leche League Facebook page for the most recent meeting times in case there is a change
3. It sounds like you tend to meet in churches. Is La Leche League a religious organization?
No, La Leche League is a worldwide, educational, non-sectarian, non-discriminatory service organization. Our Leaders and members come from diverse backgrounds. LLL isn’t affiliated with any church or denomination — but church nurseries often work well as baby-friendly meeting spaces!
4. What if I need immediate help and don’t want to wait until the next meeting to talk with a Leader?
Leaders are available to help with breastfeeding questions by phone, email, and Facebook. (You might also request to join our closed Facebook group.) Find contact info for all South Carolina Leaders here. Don’t wait for a meeting to reach out for help! We encourage you to contact us as soon as you have a concern, then follow up in person at the next meeting if you are able.
5. What kind of help are Leaders qualified to give?
LLL Leaders are experienced nursing mothers who subscribe to LLL’s Ten Concepts and have gone through rigorous training on all aspects of breastfeeding. After completing their preparation, new Leaders are accredited by La Leche League. The organization holds all Leaders to the same international standards and Leaders keep current with the best scientific information available. Leaders are knowledgeable volunteer breastfeeding helpers, and although we are not medical professionals, we can point you to excellent lactation professionals if your situation is beyond our scope.
6. What do you discuss at meetings?
Our meetings rotate between four topics:
- Advantages of Breastfeeding
- Overcoming Difficulties,
- Adjusting to Life with a New Baby
- Nutrition & Gentle Weaning.
If a mother attends four meetings in a row, she gets a solid overview of the normal course of breastfeeding. But we have plenty of flexibility and time for Q&A — we don’t want anyone to leave with an unanswered question!
7. I’m not having any trouble with breastfeeding, I just want to spend time with like-minded women and make some new friends. Can I still attend meetings?
Yes! While many mothers come with specific difficulties and questions, some attend meetings because they find the group itself a source of encouragement, even when nursing is going smoothly. Studies show that having support is a critical factor in whether or not a woman meets her personal breastfeeding goals, so it’s a great idea to attend even if your nursing relationship is going well. Veteran breastfeeding mothers often say they learn something new at each meeting (and they’re a helpful resource for those who are struggling). Also, you never know when a sudden obstacle might arise, like illness or hospitalization for you or baby. Many mothers find that the knowledge they’ve picked up at meetings over time actually empowers them to keep nursing when the unexpected strikes.
8. Can I bring my baby? What about toddlers and older children?
Yes, babies are welcome. Toddlers and older siblings are welcome, too. Some older children who are comfortable with brief separations from their mother may be happier elsewhere — you know best what your child can handle. Meetings typically last between 1 and 1.5 hours. Many mothers find it helpful to bring a “busy bag” of healthy snacks, coloring projects, etc., to keep distractions to a minimum. We encourage mothers to meet their older children’s needs at meetings, even if that means stepping out for a little while.
9. Can my partner attend?
While we greatly appreciate supportive fathers, our regular monthly meetings are for women only. New mothers often are not comfortable asking questions or breastfeeding in front of men they do not know. Some groups hold supplemental meetings that welcome fathers and/or participate in community breastfeeding events that are father-friendly. Check our Facebook page for updates about these.
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Brooke Bryćko was accredited as a La Leche League Leader in September 2012. She and her husband have a 4-year-old son (who nursed for 19 months) and a 2-year-old daughter (who’s still happily nursing). Before moving to South Carolina, they lived in Europe, Michigan, and California. Brooke works from home as a freelance academic editor and enjoys reading philosophy.
The locations of our meetings have since changed. We now meet at the downtown library on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am and the evening meeting is not set with a location presently. The Irmo meeting is still at the same location, but now meets at 10:00 am instead of 10:30 am. Please check the La Leche League of the South Carolina Midlands Facebook page for an updated listing of meeting times and locations.
Thanks for the new times! We have updated our article and added a reference to check the Facebook page for the most recent times in case of a change in schedule.