Our (Extended) Family : Le Leche League
Next up in our interactive resource list series is a group that helped me as a mama feel confident in my breastfeeding relationship. I grew so much as a new mother attending these weekly meetings. I even took my job as snack-bag-bringer very seriously for the few months that I kept that hat on. Chris Berning was a beautiful example of a community builder and mother mother-er to me and I was so excited to ask her to be a part of this resource for other mamas! Here is what she has to share about our local Le Leche League.
"Seven mothers started La Leche League in a park in 1956. It has grown to an International Organization. LLL of Brandon has been meeting for over 20 years, serving mothers in the East Hillsborough community.
The Mission of La Leche League International is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.
We are unique in the breastfeeding community. We are all-volunteer. Studies have shown that mothers who have support nurse their babies longer and happier. Mothers are welcome to take what they need from the Group, participating as much or as little as they enjoy.
There are also 55 years of mother-to-mother sharing and current research reflected in The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding 8th Edition. We recommend every nursing mother have this excellent resource!
We hold free meetings twice a month where pregnant women, mothers, babies, & children gather to discuss breastfeeding. Fathers are welcome at the evening meeting.
Morning Meeting:
When: Third Wednesday of every month at 10:00am
Where: St. Andrews Church 3315 Bryan Road, Brandon, FL 33511 On the corner of Bryan Rd. and Bloomingdale Ave.
Family Life Center, Room #309
Evening Meeting:
When: Second Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm
Where: Oakfield Medical Plaza 262 Moon Ave., (Suite 262) Brandon, FL 33511 On the corner of Oakfield Dr. and Moon Ave.
(NW corner of building)
We also have a Facebook Page where mothers ask questions and share the joys of nursing their babies. Just request to join!
La Leche League Leaders are experienced breastfeeding mothers, accredited by La Leche League International. We are familiar with the latest breastfeeding research and are trained to answer questions or concerns about nursing. We are volunteers who provide free counseling every day by telephone or email.
+Joy (813) 833-2432 or via email at skipspinbug@aol.com
+Helena (813) 756-3385 or via email at helenaksberg@gmail.com
+Tricia Elbl (813) 381-4638 or via email at triciaelbl@gmail.com
+Chris (813) 215-8125 or via email at cberning1@verizon.net
