Interview with a La Leche League Leader

Today I am privileged to bring you a conversation with former La Leche League leader Carrie Lauth. Carrie writes at her natural parenting blog Natural Moms Talk Radio and her business blog, CarrieLauth.com. Carrie shares her long-term experience as a volunteer breastfeeding counselor.

What has your breastfeeding experience been like?

Joyful. I’ve had a few challenges along the way. I’m still nursing my fourth child so my breastfeeding days will probably be over in another year. I’m sure I’ll miss it!

With my first, things were a little rough at first. He had issues with thrush, and it took us nearly a year to beat that entirely. I was nervous and worried about my supply like many new moms, so I switched him back and forth constantly, leading to a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance which led to fussiness and gassiness. When I learned to keep him on one side for an entire feeding, sometimes two, things improved. One of my soapbox issues is moms who think they have low milk supply and don’t. I’ve also nursed through 3 pregnancies and tandem nursed. All of my kids have had to share with a sibling at some point! It’s been a real joy.

What led you to become a La Leche League Leader?

My experience with LLL goes back to my own start as a nursing infant. I was 5 days old and my mother had to go back to the hospital for some testing overnight. The story is that I refused bottles and she was determined to not let a drop of formula pass my lips! I always had a good feeling about LLL because she told me that women from the local group donated expressed milk for me. Then when I started having challenges with my firstborn, I called LLL. The leader was so understanding and took so much time with me, and I started going to meetings when my baby was 5 weeks old. The rest is history!

What did you enjoy about being a Leader?

I enjoyed helping moms. I also loved being around such wonderful parents. It was edifying to see these amazing women from all walks of life who had so much in common by virtue of their shared parenting philosophy. I just wanted to soak all of that up as a new mom. I felt like I had found my tribe.

What were the most common questions you received as a Leader?

I don’t think I could point to a common question because each mom was so different. But as I said, one of my favorite myths is the predominant thinking in our society that breastfeeding and having enough milk is rare or hard. Other mammals who give birth to litters simply do not have this issue, because they don’t interfere with birthing moms and they don’t interfere and overmanage breastfeeding.

What do you wish expectant and new mothers knew about breastfeeding?

That natural doesn’t mean easy. Everything has a learning curve. That every baby is different. To forget what babies or moms are “supposed” to do.

What is the impression you would like others to have of LLL?

I can’t understand why some mothers view LLL as breastfeeding Nazis. In my experience, leaders were the most compassionate, understanding and caring women on the planet. I never sensed judgment from them. When mothers feel that way, I know it’s coming from their own insecurities and issues. It’s not an external thing.

How has your perspective on breastfeeding and motherhood changed as your children have gotten older?

I’ve gotten a lot more relaxed and more forgiving of myself and of children. When you’re a new mom, you worry that everything is meaningful and it’s not. If your two year old won’t say please and thank you, it makes no difference. He’ll be doing it when he’s ten if he hears you doing it, and he won’t grow up to be an axe murderer if he hits a child on the playground either. LOL! I’m a lot more trusting of children now. I also give myself permission to be imperfect. If I have a bad day and don’t live up to my own expectations, that’s ok. The other day my oldest child said to me, “Mom, you can’t stay mad for one minute!” I considered that an ultimate compliment. It means I know how to put things in perspective and move on, and have more joy with my kids.

What are you focusing your time and energy on now?

I’m a single mom now so my focus is on taking care of my kids financially, emotionally and spiritually while unschooling them. It’s a blast!

Thanks Carrie! It was so interesting to hear your breastfeeding story and your perspective on La Leche League!