I've breastfed all 3 of my kids, the first one not too successfully, the second one until circumstances meant I no longer could (but carried on expressing till my supply ran out) and my third I'm still feeding at 17 months. One of the things that kept me going was a desire to get to a year, as I'd love to be a BF counsellor and heard that one of the requirements was feeding till at least 1. I've just been on the La Leche League website to find that you can't apply to be a counseller until you've attended a full set of meetings and bought a £12 book telling you how to BF?? Not much point me doing that now is there! It seems such a strange requirement (no offence to anyone if they are counsellors), after all, the first time you've no idea how things are going to turn out and after any more - do you really need to buy books telling you how to do it?
I don't want to be some scary hippy woman banging on about how its 'best' and whipping my boobs out at every opportunity :rolleyes: but I'd love to help other new mums give it a try. Not if I have to buy a book I'll never read though!

I quite agree, we can(and have) read lots of books/websites on BF but all new mum's really want is someone with experience to help and guide them. I a just coming to end of BF my 4 month old (my choice....) which was sucessful and enjoyable. It is a shame you are not able to do it with all the experience you have.

exactly, i've read books on BF with the first two, but felt pretty knowledgable this time round!

Is it 'The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding'? Surely they'd come up on eBay or something?
I have one which is technically on loan from someone I no longer see but I still intend to return it if I get to see her again.
I can see the point of the meetings and support sessions, the book price is steep for people who are volunteering their time though.

Is it 'The Womanly Art Of Breastfeeding'? Surely they'd come up on eBay or something?
I have one which is technically on loan from someone I no longer see but I still intend to return it if I get to see her again.
I can see the point of the meetings and support sessions, the book price is steep for people who are volunteering their time though.

yeah thats the book! Sounds a bit of a scary title to me lol. the meetings sound fine, I don't have a problem with those. I'm going to see if there are any other support groups that don't have such 'rules'. Surely a person who has enjoyed breastfeeding is more useful to help someone with problems?

yeah thats the book! Sounds a bit of a scary title to me lol. the meetings sound fine, I don't have a problem with those. I'm going to see if there are any other support groups that don't have such 'rules'. Surely a person who has enjoyed breastfeeding is more useful to help someone with problems?

Hiya Honeyb35,

I have done La Leche League training and i only fed mine for six months, you get the book free with course. I did mine through Early Days Childrens Centre, we have a course running at moment and more planned.

All we ask is you have successfully breastfed at least one child, length of time is irrelevant. Can send details of next course dates etc or very welcome to borrow my book, Im in no rush for it at moment.

XXX