Where did La Leche League get its name?

"La Leche" is Spanish for "the milk," and is pronounced "la LAY-chay." The idea came from a statue in St. Augustine, Florida (USA) honoring "Nuestra Senora de la Leche y Buen Parto," which translated, means, "Our Lady of Happy Delivery and Plentiful Milk."

When La Leche League was founded in the mid 1950s, words like "breastfeeding" and "pregnant" weren't used in polite society. The Spanish term became an informal code-word for our meetings and our function. La Leche League meetings could be listed in newspapers without offending anyone.

Happily, it is now acceptable to say "breastfeeding" openly. Although our name sometimes confuses people, "La Leche League" has become a term that is synonymous with breastfeeding support and education around the world. Despite the name's origin, La Leche League is not affiliated with any religion-- we are a nonsectarian organization whose only purpose is to give information and encouragement, mainly through personal help, to all mothers who want to breastfeed their babies.

A more detailed discussion of the La Leche League name can be found in the article La Leche League: What's in a Name?

More information on our organization can be found on the General LLL Information page or in our collection of resources about LLL

Our FAQs present information from La Leche League International on topics of interest to parents of breastfed children. Not all of the information may be pertinent to your family's lifestyle. This information is general in nature and not intended to be advice, medical or otherwise. If you have a serious breastfeeding problem or concern, you are strongly encouraged to talk directly to a La Leche League Leader. Please consult health care professionals on any medical issue, as La Leche League Leaders are not medical practitioners.

Last updated Friday, July 21, 2006 9:53 AM by sjs.

Page last edited Sun Oct 14 09:29:18 UTC 2007.