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.
Upcoming Events
Our 2012 Spring Sling Flings are coming in May!
Join us to learn how to wear your baby, from birth through toddlerhood, safely and comfortably.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
For more information on our Flings, or to invite a friend,
download our flyer! (PDF)Morning fling - 9:30 am
West Chester Municipal Building
Room 200
401 East Gay Street, West ChesterEvening fling - 7:30 pm
Messiah Lutheran Church
Fellowship Hall, side entrance
46 W. Lancaster Ave, DowningtownIf you'd like more information on wearing your baby, you can download the handout from our 2010 Sling Fling. (PDF)
For the latest news, events, and announcements,
find us on Facebook
Read our mother-to-mother magazine New Beginnings online!
General Meeting Information | Groups Information | Membership Information | Breastfeeding Aid Sales Program | Leader Information | Links
General Meeting Information
Babies and nursing children are always welcome at our meetings!
Please note: We want mom and baby to get a healthy start; that means learning about breastfeeding together in a safe place. Now that flu season is under way, please help to protect the little ones by observing this simple guideline: If you or any of your family members is exhibiting symptoms of illness at the time of the meeting, and/or has had a fever within the 24 hours preceding the meeting, we ask that you not attend -- please call or email a Leader with your breastfeeding questions instead.
A continuing series of four monthly meetings is based on the information found in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding and covers:
- 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.
La Leche League of Downingtown meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 7:30 PM
These meetings are held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 46 W Lancaster Avenue, in Downingtown.
Call Jamie (610) 675-7520, Kerri (610) 585-5541, or Judy (610) 363-6206 for more information.
§Fathers welcome at Meeting II
* Not the fourth TuesdayU P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV April 24 May 22 June 26§ July 24 August 28 September 25 October 23§ November 27 December 11* January 22, 2013 February 26, 2013§ March 19, 2013*
La Leche League of Exton-Lionville meets the second Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM
These meetings are held at Exton Community Baptist Church, 114 E Swedesford Rd, in Exton.
(between K-Mart and Post Office parking lots)
We meet in the church office building (split level house across the parking lot from the main church building)
Call Judy (610) 363-6206 or Kerri (610) 585-5541 for more information.
U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV May 9 June 13 July 11 August 8 September 12 October 10 November 14 December 12 January 9, 2013 February 13, 2013 March 13, 2013
La Leche League of Glenmoore-Elverson meets the third Monday of every month at 10:00 AM
These meetings are held at Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 1648 Horseshoe Pike (Route 322) in Glenmoore. Enter through back door.
Contact Jennifer beanmom@beanmom.com or Kristina (610) 321-0319 for more information.In case of bad weather: If Downingtown Area School District delays or closes, the meeting will be cancelled.
*Not the third Monday U P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV May 21 June 18 July 16 August 20 September 24* October 15 November 19 December 17 January 21, 2013 February 18, 2013 March 18, 2013 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 generally more of a "playgroup atmosphere" at these meetings than at our evening Groups, which tend to be quieter.
La Leche League of Kimberton meets the first Tuesday of every month at 9:30 AM
These meetings are held at Centennial Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1330 Hares Hill Road, in Kimberton.
Contact Kristina (610) 321-0319 or Barbara (610) 399-3311 for more information.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
*Not the first TuesdayU P C O M I N G M E E T I N G S Meeting I Meeting II Meeting III Meeting IV Toddler ± May 1 June 5 July 3 August 7 September 4 October 2 November 13* December 4 January 8, 2013* February 5, 2013 March 5, 2013 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 generally more of a "playgroup atmosphere" at these meetings than at our evening Groups, which tend to be quieter.
La Leche League of West Chester meets the third Wednesday of every month at 9:30 AM
These meetings are held in room #240 at the West Chester Municipal Building, 401 E Gay Street, in West Chester.
Call Shelly (484) 883-0572 for more information.
In case of bad weather: If West Chester 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 May 16 June 20 July 18 August 15 September 19 October 17 November 21 December 19 January 2013 TBA February 2013 TBA March 2013 TBA
Membership Information
The membership fee helps support local Groups, our Area and the international organization. Members receive a discount on registration for our annual Area Conference, and other benefits may be available. LLL membership is not required to receive telephone help or to be a welcome part of our meetings. Yearly memberships are offered at the $25, $40, or $100 levels, and 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.
- Email questions: ChesterCountyLLL@gmail.com
- Jamie (610) 675-7520
- Shelly (484) 883-0572 kierkar@psualum.com
- Kristina (610) 321-0319 kristina@pasqualefamily.com
- Kerri (610) 585-5541 KALack@me.com
- Barbara (610) 399-3311 barbaradeem@hotmail.com
- Judy (610) 363-6206 japolley@verizon.net
- Jennifer beanmom@beanmom.com
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.
Links
LLLI Breastfeeding Resources Page
LLLLinks page
Index of La Leche League Group Web Pages
La Leche League in 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: 4/20/12. The La Leche League logo is a registered trademark of La Leche League, International. Used with permission.
