Volunteer as a Leader

Provide mother-to-mother, peer-to-peer support and share the joys of breastfeeding. Consider becoming an accredited volunteer La Leche League Leader.

Key Points

La Leche League is a mother-to-mother, peer-to-peer breastfeeding support organization.

An important LLLI Prerequisite to Applying for Leadership is to have personally breastfed/chestfed a baby for at least a year. Our volunteers, called “Leaders,” have all breastfed their babies into toddlerhood.
LLL Leaders are volunteers for an international organization. They are not paid for the work they do.

Photo of a mother nursing her baby, she is smiling broadly

Important prerequisites are experience with a La Leche League Group, either through a Group available in your community or an online Group, understanding and modelling LLL philosophy, and good communication skills.
Attending LLL meetings either in-person or virtually, and getting involved with the Group, will help you decide if LLL is an organization where you want to volunteer.

As an international organization, La Leche League standards for Leader accreditation are the same worldwide. All Leaders are expected to meet the LLLI Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership and to value and model the organization’s philosophy in their own lives. La Leche League is committed to serving anyone who wants to breastfeed their baby and seeks accreditation of a diverse body of Leaders.

See Prerequisites for more details.

One of the LLLI Prerequisites to Applying for LLL Leadership is: “Has attended four LLL Meetings.” Even if there is no LLL Group where you live, you can attend a virtual meeting in another town or another country. Start by looking in the Get Support pages. Join the LLLI Facebook Group and ask how to find a meeting near you. Fill out the Leader Inquiry form below.

During your preparation for LLL leadership, you will be part of a team that will include the Group Leader(s) and a Leader Accreditation Department (LAD) member. With them, you’ll complete several learning experiences that prepare you for the role of LLL Leader. You’ll acquire leadership skills through a variety of opportunities, such as: reading, reflecting on personal experiences, discussing LLL philosophy, observing meetings, attending workshops (if available), and talking with other Leaders. You’ll research common breastfeeding topics, learn effective communication skills, and practice addressing questions and handling challenging breastfeeding situations. Accreditation is often completed within 6-12 months. The time it takes to complete is related to the pace set by the Applicant.

LLL Leaders are volunteers who support breastfeeding and advocate for the breastfeeding relationship. Leaders may not use their Leader status for commercial gain derived from non-LLL activities or to promote their personal non-LLL interests. Many Leaders use an email specific to their LLL work to avoid confusion with roles such as IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant), doula, massage therapist, childcare provider, etc.

If you are thinking about volunteering as a La Leche League Leader, here are the first steps:

Read through the LLLI Prerequisites to Applying for Leadership and decide if you meet them.
Attend LLL meetings, virtually or in-person and talk with one of the Group Leaders about your interest in leadership.
Read The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, if available in an accessible language and format.
Consult the Frequently Asked Questions page,
Read Thoughts about Becoming an LLL Leader and IBCLC, if you are, or are planning to become, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions

Prerequisites

Steps to Accreditation

Videos

Interested in LLL Leadership?

Conviértete en Líder/Monitora de LLL

LLL: comment devenir animatrice/monitrice

Inquire

Before filling out this Leader Inquiry Form, please make sure you can answer yes to the following questions.

I have breastfed a child for 12 months or more.
I have attended at least four LLL meetings, either virtually or in-person, if possible.
I understand that the steps to accreditation as an LLL Leader include self-study, writing, reading and discussion with a supporting Leader and a member of the Leader Accreditation Department.
I understand that being an accredited LLL Leader is volunteer work.
I understand that accredited LLL Leaders can not be volunteers with another breastfeeding support organization.

Thank you for wanting to learn more about becoming a Leader with La Leche League (LLL). Please submit the form below. You will typically receive a reply within one-to-two days.

Leader Inquiry Form

Name*
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Email*
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Location*
City State / Province / Region Country
Please describe your experience with breastfeeding including length of breastfeeding:*
Share any LLL meetings or events you have attended:*
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