I am sure most of us are aware of La Leche League International and its activities. Its vision is to realize, deepen and share the love and wisdom found in breastfeeding relationships. The organization helps mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education and promotes better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
I got a chance to attend one of its meetings on 11th April at Victoria, BC, Canada. The Local leader is a wonderful person, Ruth McAllister. She is a Breastfeeding Counsellor and LLL Canada Leader since 1983.
The meeting was attended by expectant and lactating mothers, grandmothers, friends, and volunteers. It was a very informal, fun, free, informative, and friendly meeting. Experienced parents were giving simple and yet ingenious tips to families to overcome easy and not so easy obstacles in the path of optimum breastfeeding.
The ambience of the room was soothing as well as stimulating. There was plethora of art objects and artifacts related to breastfeeding collected from China and all over the world adorning her living room.
I was glad to share my experiences as a lactation Consultant from Indore, India. I gave her a copy of the booklet in Hindi, written and published by me.
[The link is here: https://neurogyan.com/breastfeeding_booklet2024]
Ruth appreciated the graphics and images. She was thrilled to read two English translations of my poem which was awarded first prize in 2021 in a competition by FOGSI.
[Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7bv0XaN1PU&authuser=0]
She shared with me images from her own collection.
Both of us were on same page with respect to anguish and sadness about the fact that there is a huge gap worldwide towards the goals of optimum breastfeeding.
I felt happy and confident when she was emphasizing that breastfeeding in a lying down position is perfectly appropriate, particularly during the first 30 post-partum days.
