More about LLL Meetings
What happens at a LLL in-person meeting?
Meetings are informal with opportunity for group discussion about breastfeeding and mothering experiences. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding your baby, mixed feeding, exclusively pumping or feeding other milk mostly at the breast then an LLL discussion meeting is for you. You can get skilled one-to-one support from a Leader whilst getting to know others for mutual support and maybe browse our library of information leaflets and books.
You don't have to have a problem to come to a meeting - in fact lots of people come along because they enjoy reconnecting with other breastfeeding mums - being in a space where everyone is breastfeeding is nice, especially when all your friends have stopped or you don't have much family or community support in your breastfeeding or parenting choices. And we do also have cake!
Our meetings always feature a group discussion moderated by our LLL Leaders - that's what makes us special and different from a standard drop-in. We won't tell you what to do - we'll welcome you in and support you for a long as you need. And very quickly you'll find you start supporting others too!
After arrivals, when drinks and snacks are available, we gather for a group discussion. The discussion is facilitated by the Leaders present and we all introduce ourselves and our little ones. There's often a suggested theme, such as early days, introducing solids, or feeding an older baby. It's all very informal and relaxed. You can raise any questions or things you'd like to talk about relating to breastfeeding and those present often describe their own experiences, and offer support to each other. After the discussion we have more social time before we clear away. The group's library of books and leaflets about breastfeeding and parenting is on display for you to browse or borrow. You can also ask to speak to a Leader individually to get one-to-one help.
Do bring your baby or breastfeeding toddler! And you can bring along your older children if they need to be with you. We have a few baby toys but we're not a play group so there is less to interest older ones. You're welcome to move around to stay comfortable, stand and rock your baby or sit down on the floor to play with your toddler.
The meeting is tailored to the needs of breastfeeding mothers rather than partners, dads and co-parents, but if you need another adult with you to enable you to access the meeting, for example to translate or to provide mobility support, then just let us know.
Leaders can also provide individual and ongoing support between meetings if you'd like that.
Meetings are informal with opportunity for group discussion about breastfeeding and mothering experiences. If you're pregnant, breastfeeding your baby, mixed feeding, exclusively pumping or feeding other milk mostly at the breast then an LLL discussion meeting is for you. You can get skilled one-to-one support from a Leader whilst getting to know others for mutual support and maybe browse our library of information leaflets and books.
You don't have to have a problem to come to a meeting - in fact lots of people come along because they enjoy reconnecting with other breastfeeding mums - being in a space where everyone is breastfeeding is nice, especially when all your friends have stopped or you don't have much family or community support in your breastfeeding or parenting choices. And we do also have cake!
Our meetings always feature a group discussion moderated by our LLL Leaders - that's what makes us special and different from a standard drop-in. We won't tell you what to do - we'll welcome you in and support you for a long as you need. And very quickly you'll find you start supporting others too!
After arrivals, when drinks and snacks are available, we gather for a group discussion. The discussion is facilitated by the Leaders present and we all introduce ourselves and our little ones. There's often a suggested theme, such as early days, introducing solids, or feeding an older baby. It's all very informal and relaxed. You can raise any questions or things you'd like to talk about relating to breastfeeding and those present often describe their own experiences, and offer support to each other. After the discussion we have more social time before we clear away. The group's library of books and leaflets about breastfeeding and parenting is on display for you to browse or borrow. You can also ask to speak to a Leader individually to get one-to-one help.
Do bring your baby or breastfeeding toddler! And you can bring along your older children if they need to be with you. We have a few baby toys but we're not a play group so there is less to interest older ones. You're welcome to move around to stay comfortable, stand and rock your baby or sit down on the floor to play with your toddler.
The meeting is tailored to the needs of breastfeeding mothers rather than partners, dads and co-parents, but if you need another adult with you to enable you to access the meeting, for example to translate or to provide mobility support, then just let us know.
Leaders can also provide individual and ongoing support between meetings if you'd like that.
What is an online LLL meet like?
If you have been to our regular meetings, you'll find our free and friendly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support meetings pretty similar in format to what you are used to.
We start with sharing a few guidelines - you are the expert on your baby, take from the meeting what works for you and your baby, we're all different. We'll then ask you to introduce yourself - your name, little one's name and age, and ask you to share any issues you are currently working through. If you prefer not to speak that is fine too, just enjoy listening.
We might ask if others have also encountered that challenge and what helped them, so you can hear you are not alone and perhaps pick up a few tips to try yourself. We share a bit of info and research if it is relevant and always follow up with email info after the meeting.
Lastly, we join together again for final thoughts and comments and a few notices. If issues have not been covered in the meeting or other things have arisen, we offer follow up as needed.
We have a few safeguarding rules:
If you have been to our regular meetings, you'll find our free and friendly mother-to-mother breastfeeding support meetings pretty similar in format to what you are used to.
We start with sharing a few guidelines - you are the expert on your baby, take from the meeting what works for you and your baby, we're all different. We'll then ask you to introduce yourself - your name, little one's name and age, and ask you to share any issues you are currently working through. If you prefer not to speak that is fine too, just enjoy listening.
We might ask if others have also encountered that challenge and what helped them, so you can hear you are not alone and perhaps pick up a few tips to try yourself. We share a bit of info and research if it is relevant and always follow up with email info after the meeting.
Lastly, we join together again for final thoughts and comments and a few notices. If issues have not been covered in the meeting or other things have arisen, we offer follow up as needed.
- On a mobile, you see just a few faces. On a laptop, you can select 'gallery view' on your screen and see all the faces! Do what works for you.
- You can dip in and out of meetings. 2 hours may be unrealistic in your household to take part in a meet - that is absolutely fine! We'd rather see you for a little while than not at all! Feel free to move around the house etc.
- Grab a cuppa, join us. Pyjamas accepted!
- If your data is low or your wifi connection is not good, you can join with audio only.
- You can also choose not to have video if you prefer to be more private.
We have a few safeguarding rules:
- We don't record the sessions.
- We ask you not to take screen shots.
- The 'what's said in the room, stays in the room' rule applies as usual. For that reason, if you have other people around, you may find it works best to use headphones for privacy.
- If you need to change nappies, please do them off screen, turn your camera off or turn your screen away.
- You'll be in a waiting room until we admit you and your microphone will be off to manage background noise. If there are lots of people we suggest everyone is muted, apart from the LLL Leaders at the meeting, until you need to speak as even a chair moving or a cough is picked up.