La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing support, encouragement, information, and education to women who want to breastfeed. All breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women interested in breastfeeding are welcome to come to our free meetings or call our Leaders for breastfeeding help. Attending La Leche League meetings can help you learn about breastfeeding from other nursing mothers. At these monthly meetings, mothers share not only their questions and concerns but also the benefits and joys of breastfeeding. Knowing other women who have breastfed their babies can be helpful and reassuring. It is also important to have accurate, up-to-date information.
General Meeting Information | Groups Information | Membership Information | Breastfeeding Aid Sales Program | Leader Information | Links
General Meeting Information
A continuing series of four monthly meetings is based on the information found in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and covers:
Babies and nursing children are always welcome at meetings.
- Meeting I: The Advantages of Breastfeeding
- What makes breastmilk the superior infant food?
- How does nursing provide "health insurance" for baby?
- What are the advantages to mother? other family members?
- Meeting II: Baby Arrives: The Family & The Breastfed Baby
- How does the baby get started breastfeeding?
- How often and how long should the baby nurse?
- What is father's role? other children? grandparents?
- How do meals and housework get done with a new baby?
- Is it possible to breastfeed and go back to work?
- Meeting III: The Art of Breastfeeding and Avoiding Difficulties
- What can be done if mother's milk supply gets low?
- What if baby seems fussy all the time?
- How do other parents handle night time waking?
- Can sore nipples be helped? or prevented?
- Meeting IV: Starting Solids, Weaning and Family Nutrition
- When and how should baby start solid foods?
- What are the best foods to feed a baby? a toddler?
- How can family eating habits be improved?
- When and how do you wean?
La Leche League's basic manual, The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, is for sale or loan at meetings.
Also available is a lending library containing books covering all aspects of breastfeeding, childbirth, parenting and nutrition.
Groups Information
If you would like to download and print our meeting information, our flyer is available as a two-sided PDF file.
There are five La Leche League Groups in Chester County:
La Leche League of Downingtown (Evening Group)
There are also Groups in these neighboring areas: Lancaster County, Berks County, Delaware County & the Main Line, and Central and East Montgomery County.
* Not the fourth Tuesday
¤Fathers welcome at Meeting IIU P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV June 24¤ July 22 August 26 September 23 October 28¤ November 18* December 16* January 27, 2009 February 24, 2009¤ March 24, 2009
* Not the second Thursday U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV July 10 August 14 September 11 October 2* November 13 December 4* January 8, 2009 February 12, 2009 March 12, 2009
In case of bad weather: If Downingtown Area School District delays or closes, the meeting will be cancelled.
U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV July 21 August 18 September 15 October 20 November 17 December 15 January 19, 2009 February 16, 2009 March 16, 2009 Please note: This Group meets in a room with a lot of active toys, and the mothers who attend often bring their toddlers and preschoolers as well as their babies.
There is often more of a "playgroup atmosphere" at these meetings than at our evening Groups, which tend to be quieter.
In case of bad weather: If either Downingtown or Phoenixville Area School District delays or closes, the meeting will be cancelled.
± Toddler - A meeting for mothers nursing older babies and toddlers, focusing on topics such as extended nursing, loving guidance, toddler safety & more U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV Toddler ± July 1 August TBA September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2 January 6, 2009 February 3, 2009 March 3, 2009
* Not the third Thursday U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV June 19 July 17 August 21 September 18 October 23* November 20 December 11* January 15, 2009 February 19, 2009 March 19, 2009
Membership Information
Membership in La Leche League is just $40 per year. The membership fee helps support local Groups, our Area and the international organization. Members receive a bimonthly journal called New Beginnings, filled with warm personal stories from breastfeeding parents along with the most current research, book reviews, and much more. LLL membership is not required to receive telephone help or to be a welcome part of our meetings. Memberships may be purchased or renewed in person at a meeting, by mail using our printable membership flyer (.pdf format) or online using Paypal.
Breastfeeding Aid Sales Program
The La Leche League Groups in Chester County, PA, are proud to offer Medela pumps and breastfeeding products for sale to local mothers. Items are sold at competitive prices to help fund La Leche League's mission to help mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
Products on hand include:
Contact Judy for more information and prices
- Manual Pump
- Mini Electric
- Double Mini Electric
- Breast Shells for Sore or Inverted Nipples
- CSF Bags for Milk Storage
- InstaHeat Pads
- Baby Cup Feeder
- Nursing Stools
(610) 363-6206 japolley@verizon.net
Leader Information
La Leche League Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers who are accredited by La Leche League International (LLLI) to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding. Leaders are ready to offer encouragement, support, information, and practical help to both mothers and interested medical professionals through monthly meetings and telephone help. All shared information of a medical nature has been approved by the LLLI Health Advisory Council.
Leaders in Chester County:
If you are unable to reach a Leader in Chester County, please call the Greater Philadelphia Area Helpline (610) 666-0359, serving Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia Counties.
- Shelly (610) 344-7433 kierkar@psualum.com
- Larae (484) 228-8260
- Kristina (610) 321-0319 klpasquale@comcast.net
- Dana (610) 299-1038 ehmanfamily@yahoo.com
- Jennifer beanmom@beanmom.com
- Judy (610) 363-6206 japolley@verizon.net
To find a Leader elsewhere, visit LLLI's Leader Information page.
Leaders are volunteers working from their homes. For 24-hour breastfeeding assistance, call the LLL Breastfeeding Helpline at 1-877-4-LALECHE (1-877-452-5324). This call is toll-free. For non-urgent breastfeeding help and support, visit:
Breastfeeding information is always available on the LLLI website.
- La Leche League's Mother-to-Mother Forums
- LLL Eastern United States Forums
- LLL On-line Meetings and Chats
Deaf callers with TDD equipment may contact LLLI for help at TDD phone number: 847-592-7570.
Links
LLLI Breastfeeding Resources Page
LLLLinks page
Index of La Leche League Group Web Pages
La Leche League of Pennsylvania
La Leche League International Main Page
About La Leche League:
* La Leche League Purpose Statement
* La Leche League Mission
* La Leche League Philosophy
This site maintained by beanmom@beanmom.com for the La Leche League Groups of Chester County, PA.
Last modified: 06/18/08. The La Leche League logo is a registered trademark of La Leche League, International. Used with permission.
