DEDICATION TO LA LECHE LEAGUE

I am sure that my children know in some small way that LLL was very important in our lives. Here I want to explain to them the full extent of their influence.
I went to my first LLL meeting when my eldest was just three months old. I remember I was wearing a green pant suit. The meeting was in Westmount. I went because I was having trouble nursing. I remember that I had started solids. When I was at the meeting I learned that I didn’t need to start solids so young. Of course I was a young new mother so I didn’t have confidence in their suggestions. I continued attending meetings for over twenty years. I became a leader and held many different positions throughout the years.
We found out I was pregnant with my daughter at a LLL conference in Atlanta. It was held downtown and we were warned NOT to go out of the hotel! My hubby and sons were with me. I attended conferences alone, with my nursing baby and whole family at different times.
Even though the league was devoted to breastfeeding I learned so much through the years. I know that our close, happy family is because I was a member.
So what did I learn??????
1. The newborn was mine and I could do what I wanted. Just because the doctor or nurse suggested something didn’t mean that I had to do it. The baby was MINE! I nursed when the baby wanted and I didn’t introduce bottles. The league gave me confidence in myself.
2. I learned how to discipline my children with love, and kindness.
3. I learned how to communicate with people and my children of course. I learned NOT to say no. I learned to say let me think it over, give me a few minutes…….. My daughter’s first word was not NO. I learned to LISTEN! I learned to look at a person’s eyes.
4. I learned to make my home child and baby friendly so I didn’t have to keep telling them DON’T TOUCH!
5. I learned that my children come first.
6. I learned to spend time with my children and to enjoy them.
7. I learned that spending time with my children was more important then a new TV or car.
8. I learned what I should feed them. I learned to read the ingredients on labels. I learned to trust their appetite. If food is available most children will not starve. 
9. I learned to respect my children.
10. I learned to talk to them and not to punish! If I spoke to them and explained things it was enough.
11. I learned to accept their behaviour as age appropriate. Everyone spills milk. All I needed to do was get them to clean up. They didn’t need harsh reprimands.
12. Last but not least I learned to treat them as individuals.
13. I learned about natural childbirth.
14. I learned how to take responsibility for myself and my family.
THANK YOU LLL.