Settling in to My New LLL Home

In a previous post, I described being booted from La Leche League (LLL) of IL, where I had worked as a Leader since 1982, for the crime of working as both a LLL Leader and a Breastfeeding USA (BFUSA) Breastfeeding Counselor.  My accreditation with another organization was not surprising.  Those who know me can testify that if breastfeeding is involved, you can count me in!

When I published my post, I was flooded with invitations from LLL Leaders and Area administrators who warmly welcomed me and extended their unconditional support.  So many people wrote that it was impossible for me to respond personally to them all.  If you were one, please accept my deepest thanks! 

Although I had many LLL Areas to choose from, I decided what was most important to me was not the quality of its beaches (as one Florida Leader offered as an incentive) but whether my presence was likely to bring the LLL International (LLLI) hammer down on my new Area.  I did not want to join a new team only to make their lives miserable by becoming a liability. 

So when I received an invitation from LLL of Connecticut, I knew that this was a match made in heaven.  These amazing ladies have become known for standing their ground against unreasonable LLLI policies and directives.  Of course, disagreeing with LLLI’s administration these days is almost guaranteed to result in sanctions and threats, so when the LLL of CT Area team made its concerns known publicly, LLLI wrote them a letter accepting their resignations, which they had not offered.  But LLL of CT has long been registered as its own nonprofit organization with the team as its legal representatives.  This allowed them to thumb their noses and continue their work.  They also bought their own liability insurance, so that could not be used as a weapon against them.  When LLLI tried to convince other CT Leaders to take their places, these Leaders made it clear that this team had their full support.

I have a feeling I’ll fit right in with LLL of CT, which just yesterday became my official LLL Area.  After all, as the saying goes, “Well-behaved women rarely make history.”  As you might expect, my opinion on the issue that led to my actions has not changed.  If anything, I am more convinced than ever that LLLI’s directive that Leaders must choose between LLL and BFUSA is divisive and therefore destructive to breastfeeding. 

In recent weeks, people on the inside have confirmed that the goal of this directive is to undermine BFUSA, which includes ex-LLL Leaders among its founders.  LLLI is headed down a slippery slope.  In Illinois, nearly half of its Leaders have resigned in the last two years.  It’s clearly time for it to look in the mirror and reevaluate its Leadership and its strategies.

I heard that one aspect of my actions was particularly upsetting to LLLI: my announcement on Facebook about my new BFUSA Breastfeeding Counselor status.  Should I take this to mean that it’s all right for LLL Leaders to be involved with both organizations as long as they don’t say so publicly?  Can we expect this to become LLLI’s version of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?” 

If LLLI wants to grow and thrive, booting out those who question it is exactly the wrong approach.  LLL Leaders have never been easily cowed.  Those who breastfeed long term are clearly comfortable following a different drummer.  They are not women who can be bullied into following directives that are obviously wrong.  Take it from one who knows… or ask the Leaders in my new LLL Area.

Feeling Supported

Thanks to everyone who has written me in support and sympathy as a result of my removal as an LLL leader from LLL of IL.  Your kind words have made a difficult situation more tolerable.

I’ve been thrilled to receive many offers from other Areas, both within the U.S. and internationally, to join their ranks and affiliate with them.  I’ve been assured that I would be welcome to serve in these Areas and that they have no intention of forcing their leaders to choose one breastfeeding organization over another.  It’s going to take me a little time to sort out the details, but I’ll make it public when I determine which will be my new Area.

In the meantime, I’m hoping we can right this wrong.  I encourage every La Leche League member and leader who agrees with me that a new liability insurance policy is in order to contact LLLI’s Board of Directors and make your opinion known.  Hopefully we can convince them of the destructiveness of making us choose one organization over another.  With enough support, we may be able to make La Leche League International once again an organization that supports all those who help breastfeeding mothers.   

Goodbye, LLL of IL

My crash-and-burn summer continues with the news tonight, delivered in person by my brand-new La Leche League Area Coordinator of Leaders (ACL), that despite my intention to continue as an Illinois LLL leader after almost 29 years, she is removing me from her roster.  Why did she take this action against my wishes?  Here’s the reason she gave:  I made it known that I recently became an accredited breastfeeding counselor with the new mother-to-mother support group Breastfeeding USA and I wanted to represent both organizations. 

You’d think that the loss of nearly half of Illinois’ leaders in the last 2 years would give her pause about eliminating leaders who are willing to serve.  I guess not.  She referenced La Leche League International’s announcement last spring that any LLL leaders who were affiliated with both LLL and Breastfeeding USA would have to choose one, because representing both would put its leader liability insurance at risk.  Yet oddly, the liability insurance through Breastfeeding USA does not carry this same prohibition.  It assumes the covered individual knows which organization she is representing.

Is LLLI looking into finding alternative liability insurance?  Word has it that earlier this week those at La Leche League International were given the opportunity to switch to another policy that does not require its leaders to make this choice and they opted not to do so.  It appears those in charge would rather kick out those who step over this line. 

My ACL had some choice words for me.  She told me that I clearly thought I was more important than other people. (Because I want to help breastfeeding mothers in more than one capacity?)  As she was leaving, she told me that although I am no longer an LLL leader in IL, I have the option of affiliating with another Area if any would have me, a possibility she seemed to think remote.

I told her that I consider this policy short-sighted and destructive of the greater good.  Until now, La Leche League International has always cultivated cooperative relationships with other breastfeeding organizations.  This is the first time it has created a policy that was openly antagonistic. 

To me, this is a serious problem.  The slogan of the Chicago Area Breastfeeding Coalition, which I helped to found, is “Strength in Numbers: Creating One Breastfeeding Community” and it exists to unite IBCLCs, LLL leaders, BFUSA breastfeeding counselors, peer counselors, doulas, physicians, midwives, everyone who comes in contact with breastfeeding mothers.  When we speak with one voice, we promote our cause more effectively.  When we undermine each other, we also undermine breastfeeding. 

I told my ACL that if my example will help to right this wrong and shine a light on this destructive policy, then I am willing to be the sacrifice.   We need to stand together and support one another, not tear each other down. 

La Leche League International, hear my words, you cannot afford to alienate more dedicated women!  And if you continue to implement and defend policies that undermine breastfeeding, you are not long for this world.

On Baby Time

As World Breastfeeding Week begins, I arrive home after almost 2 weeks in Atlanta spent helping my son Peter and his wife Ania as they cared for their new baby.  My grandson Jakub, their first child, is now 6 weeks old and doing beautifully.  We learned at Jakub’s 1-month pediatric visit that he had gained 2 lbs. in 2Peter & Jakub weeks, so there are no worries about breastfeeding.  Ania has become a real pro. 

After giving countless talks and writing many pages on the importance of having help during the first 40 days after birth, I was delighted to help my own family during this vulnerable time.  As the mother of 3 sons, I will always be the mother-in-law and never the mother, so being welcomed into their home after Ania’s mother left felt like a real blessing.

Being on baby time again brought back so many memories as I played, rocked, patted, walked, and talked to Jakub during his fussy times and while Peter and Ania got some extra sleep or ate a meal. Peter smiled as he watched me pour warm rinse water over Jakub’s head during his bath.  He shared that this evoked memories of having his own soapy head rinsed as a baby.  It was immensely satisfying to see my son take on the mantle of fatherhood with such confidence and ease.  It felt completely right to pass on this torch to the next generation. 

Ania & JakubNow as I contemplate World Breastfeeding Week, my senses still tingle from the simple pleasures babies bring to our lives.  The soft skin, the sweet smell, the warm cuddles, and the miraculous way their simple existence triggers waves of love that radiate throughout a family.  TheA wonderful memory three of us could hardly take our eyes off Jakub.  Every movement and expression was endlessly fascinating. 

So for me, this week’s celebration is about the intimacy breastfeeding fosters.  This is what drew me to this profession and where—I believe-- breastfeeding’s true power lies.  So this week I again offer my thanks to everyone around the world who helps new parents birth and breastfeed their babies.   The future of our world depends on these newborns.  Let’s never forget that their birth and breastfeeding experiences will influence the kind of world they build.

My New Industry-Free Life

Last Friday my life changed drastically.  For the previous 8.5 years I worked full time at my day job as a lactation consultant for Ameda Breastfeeding Products.  In that role, I spent many hours on the phone It's the dawn of a new daytalking to mothers about pumping and breastfeeding.

In 2008, I thought I might have to leave when Ameda was bought by Evenflo, a U.S. juvenile products manufacturer whose marketing practices at that time were in violation of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-Milk Substitutes, also known as the WHO or International Code.  This Code was created by the World Health Organization to protect breastfeeding from commercial influences by restricting the marketing of infant formula and feeding bottles.  In the U.S. adhering to this Code is strictly voluntary and baby bottles were the founding product in Evenflo’s line.

Abiding by the International Code is part of my profession’s Code of Ethics, which I take very seriously.  I was shocked (in a good way!) when Evenflo's then-CEO told me of his intentions to bring the company into compliance with the Code.  So I decided to stay on and help.  Some of you may have heard me speak about our efforts—with the help of many Code experts from around the world—to change everything from Evenflo’s website content to packaging until Evenflo met its obligations under the International Code.  This historic effort helped raise awareness of the Code in the U.S. among both clinicians and industry.  It even caused the International Lactation Consultant Association, my professional organization, to change its advertising and exhibit hall practices.  As ILCA’s then-President told me, “What you did made us realize that the Code is meant to be a change agent.”

However, nothing stays the same.  CEOs came and went and sales of Evenflo’s infant feeding bottles declined.  It’s tough to compete when none of the other U.S. baby bottle manufacturers adhere to this Code and continue marketing their products.

A week ago Monday the word came down that Evenflo was changing its stance and would begin marketing its newly released baby bottles to parents on its website, through its social media channels, and in print ads.  Although Ameda—my own little division of the company—did not even make products covered by the Code, my paycheck came from Evenflo.  My choice was clear, but that did not make it easy.

Leaving Ameda is a major life event for me.  But as many have told me, when one door closes, another opens.   My first love is speaking at conferences and to groups, and now I have more time for that.  If you are looking for a speaker for your breastfeeding event, please keep me in mind.