It was 50 years ago that the La Leche League got its start. "Leche" means milk is Spanish, and the league had its first meeting in 1957, in Franklin Park, at a time when breastfeeding rates in the U.S. dropped nearly 20 percent.

The group's mission statement is "to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother."

Candy Davis and Joyce Shepherd, who have been involved with the organization for more than 25 years, are co-leaders of the La Leche League of Carbondale.

When they got involved, it was the early '80s, and they were attending meetings based out of Marion and Herrin.

"I was a brand new mom at that point, and I had never breastfed before," said Shepherd. "I went in there and thought 'Wow, there are other people who think this is a good thing.'"

Though she was in a different place in life, Davis decided she would attend as well, in anticipation of the birth of her new baby.

"I had two older kids, whom I had breastfed, and I originally thought that I could go to the group to help other people," she said. "Actually, I ended up learning more than I helped."

Shepherd and Davis continued to stay involved in the group and eventually entered leadership training.

Locally, the La Leche League meets once a month. The meetings usually revolved around four topics: "Advantages of Breastfeeding to Mother and Baby," "The Baby Arrives: The Family and the Breastfed Baby," "Breastfeeding: The Art of Overcoming Difficulties" and "Nutrition, Weaning and Loving Guidance."

But as new mothers join the group, discussion expands to include issues other than the main topics.

"There are constantly new issues that might be brought up on the news," said Davis, "and there's always more research being done."

Though ideas pertaining to other aspects of parenting sometimes come up, the focus of the group is clear.

"We have one purpose and that is to provide information and support for breastfeeding for any interested mother who wants it," said Davis. "Any other issues that have to do with parenting are pretty much up to the parent."

On Saturday, the league will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the national group. Included in the day are special activities, free massages and informative talks.

Davis and Shepherd are hoping that old friends and former members will come back for a reunion and that new moms who are interested in learning more about breastfeeding, will attend for the first time.

"Breastfeeding is really a lost art," said Shepherd. "It's something that should be passed down from generation to generation."

brent.stewart@thesouthern.com

(618) 351-5074